1. society
2. work
3. unions

STR
ONGER
CSEA NEWS
Local 2001
TOGETHER
The Voice of Connecticut’s
Public Service Employees & Retirees
CSEA Members
in Action
P-4 members pose for a group shot after testifying on DOT’s budget and the need to
reduce the Department’s use of expensive outside consultants
CSEA members have been on the
move at the capitol over the past
month, testifying before committees
making decisions on both bills
and budgets that affect our work.
There’s strength in numbers and
we’re making a big impression as
CSEA members have submitted
over 60 pieces of testimony so
far this legislative session. P-4
members have been especially active
this year, focusing on budgetary
issues affecting their departments,
especially the state’s overuse of
expensive outside consultants and
short staffing.
The General Assembly committee in
which a bill is introduced is known
as the committee of cognizance.
These committees introduce bills,
hold public hearings, and then have
to pass bills out of committee prior
to what is known as a committee’s
joint favorable deadline. In most
cases, bills
Continued on page 4
Municipal Members
Develop Agenda
On Saturday, February 28th, memberleaders from municipal units
across the state came to CSEA
Headquarters in Hartford to help
chart a union agenda for Connecticut
municipal employees. The group did not have difficulty
identifying the key components of
that agenda. Our municipal members
want what all workers want and
deserve; that is, good jobs with
fair compensation and the kind of
benefits that support and sustain our
families. In other words, we want:
• Fair compensation that
reflects the work we do
• Affordable, effective
healthcare coverage
• Retirement benefits that
we can rely on after a
dedicated career
• An end to costly, unwise
privatization schemes
that undermine our job
security
Healthcare became a major topic
of discussion at the meeting. Increasingly, municipalities are dealing
with the rising costs of healthcare
by forcing our members into high
deductible health plans. These plans
VOL. 48, NO. 4
CSEA SEIU Local 2001
April, 2015
do the opposite of what a good
health plan should do, in that they
actually discourage enrollees from
seeing a doctor when they are sick. The group identified “true healthcare
pooling,” which is a program that
would allow towns to join the state
health plan as a solution to the
growing problem. Part of CSEA’s
legislative agenda includes a “true
pooling” bill. The group discussed
the importance of organizing
municipal members to talk to their
legislators about this measure. See the CSEA webpage for more
information on this initiative.
Stephen Schunder, President of
CSEA’s Municipal Council (aka
Council 760), said, “We had a
great meeting. All too often in the
municipal sector, we fight our own
battles directly with the town. In
order to be successful in achieving
our ambitious agenda, municipal
workers need to join together. There is strength in numbers. We
took a big step forward in building
that strength today, but there is a lot
more we need to do.”
Council 760 will meet next on April
25th, at CSEA, 760 Capitol Ave. in
Hartford.
Preliminary Agreement
Reached With Anthem
& UnitedHealth To
Administer State
Health Plan
The state of Connecticut has
selected Anthem BlueCross and
BlueShield and UnitedHealth Group
to administer the state’s selfinsured medical benefits plan for
state employees, retirees and their
dependents.
The preliminary agreements are
subject to final negotiations, and the
term of the contracts will be up to
five years.
In anticipation of the Healthcare
Cost Containment Committee’s
RFP process to select which health
care company(s) will provide medical
benefits to state retirees and their
dependents going forward, the CSEA
SEIU Local 2001 retiree council
surveyed retired state employees
about the health plan and wrote a
letter to state comptroller Kevin
Lembo informing him of the results.
CSEA is advocating for the state
to retain Anthem Blue Cross/Blue
Shield.
The preliminary agreements with
Anthem and UnitedHealth to manage
the state’s medical plan follow
newly renegotiated agreements,
some of which are ongoing, for the
state’s pharmacy, dental and defined
contribution plans on behalf of
employees, retirees and dependents.
The state’s existing contracts for
the medical plan -- that expire June
30 -- are also with Anthem and
UnitedHealth. The structure of the
benefits and plan designs offered
by both are the same; the only
substantive difference between the
benefit options are network size and
pricing offered by each carrier.
In addition to providing benefits
to state employees, retirees and
dependents, the state’s medical plan
also covers employees in the probate
court system, General Assembly
members, former legislators, and
other groups, as authorized by
statute.
The state also offers medical benefits
to local municipalities under the
Connecticut Partnership Plan, which
CSEA helped pass into law and
is currently working to expand/
improve. Those municipalities
currently include the City of New
London and New London Board of
Education, Town of Griswold and
Griswold Board of Education, Town
of Sprague, Town of Voluntown,
Uncas Health District, Town of
Union, Town of Bozrah,Valley Council
of Governments and Waterbury
Housing Authority.
Visit Our Union’s Website at www.CSEA-CT.com
Postmaster: Please forward address changes to:
CSEA, 760 CAPITOL AVE., HARTFORD, CT 06106
CSEA NEWS
April, 2015
April
Meetings & Events
COUNCIL 400 DELEGATES:
Thursday,April 16, 10:00 AM,
CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 Union Hall, 760 Capitol Ave., Hartford.
Contact: Retiree Coordinator Hollis Block at (800) 894-9479.
CHAPTER 401 (Hartford area):
Thursday, April 2, Noon at CSEA Union Headquarters:
760 Capitol Ave., Hartford .
Speaker: Nancy Gordon Greene whose topic will be “”Bio-Fedback.””
Contact President Tom Corrigan at (860) 674-8221.
Suffield Senior Center, 145 Bridge St, Suffield.
Speaker: Hollis Block, CSEA Retiree Coordinator
Contact President Amelia Smith 860-687-1848
CHAPTER 411 (Rocky Hill area):
Thursday, April 9, 1:00 PM,
William J. Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St., Wethersfield.
Speaker: TBD
Contact: President Sebastian Puglisi at (860) 529-8336.
CHAPTER 412 (Putnam area):
Tuesday, April 20, 1:30 PM,
Congregational Church of Putnam, 175 Main St, Putnam
Speaker: Dr Fredric Barks, Chiropractor
Contact: President Don Gladding at (860) 564-9092.
CHAPTER 414 (Torrington area):
Monday, April 20 , 10-11 am
Torrington UConn Campus Extension Building. University Drive,Torrington
Speaker: TBA
Contact President Karen Pineman 860-354-6727
CHAPTER 402 (Danbury area):
Wednesday, April 8, 10:00 AM,
United Methodist Church, 5 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury.
Speaker: Ben Phillips, CSEA Communications Director
Contact: President Dawn Gallagher at (203) 748-2018.
CHAPTER 403 (Norwich area):
Tuesday, April 14, 1:30 PM
Rose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Dr., Norwich.
Speaker: Hart’s Greenhouse
Two 25$ gift card and spring giveaway,
For more information call President Carol Burgess at 860-859-3641
CHAPTER 404 (Waterbury area):
Thursday, April 9, 2:00 PM,
Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, 1075 Chase Parkway
(exit 17 off I-84), Waterbury.
Speaker: Ben Phillips, CSEA Communications Director
Contact: President Ron Chasse at (860) 945-0768.
CHAPTER 405 (New Haven area):
Wednesday, April. 8, 1:00 PM,
Hamden Government Center, 2750 Dixwell Avenue 3rd floor
Speakers: TBD
Andy Gambardella at (203) 468-7376.
CHAPTER 406 (Middletown area):
Tuesday, April 14,
American Legion Post 75, 58 Bernie O’Rourke Dr., Middletown.
Speaker: Joe Serra, State Representative 33rd District
Contact: President Joe Formica at (860) 347-4532.
CHAPTER 407 (Bridgeport area):
Wednesday, April 15, 12:30 PM Social
St. Joseph’s of Stratford National Catholic Church, 1300 Stratford Rd.,
Stratford (on Rt. 113 toward Sikorsky Airport).
Speaker: Adrianna Walker, Blue Cross Blue Shield Contact: President Carol Donofrio at (203) 888-2920.
CHAPTER 408 (Willimantic area):
Wednesday, April 8 1:00 PM, Baptist Church, 945 Storrs Rd, Storrs CT.
Speaker: cigna rep
Contact: President Betty Gardner at 860-456-1480
CHAPTER 410 (Windsor Locks area):
Monday, April 13, 1:00PM
Page 2
CHAPTER 415 (Manchester area):
Monday, April 23, 1:00 PM,
Elks Lodge, 33 Bissell St. Manchester.
Speaker: Ben Phillips, CSEA Communications Director
Contact: Dorothy Tomlinson at 860-647-1216
CHAPTER 416 (New London area):
Tuesday, April, 12:00 PM,
Groton Public Library,
Speaker: Adrian Walker, Blue Cross Blue Sheild
Contact Les Shapiro at 860-442-5256
CHAPTER 417 (Plainville area):
Wednesday, April 8 1:00 PM,
Church of Our Savior Episcopal Church, 115 West Main St., Plainville.
Speaker: Sebastian Puglisi CSEA 400 western Vice President
Contact: President Cathy Toscano at (860) 845-2927.
CHAPTER 418 (4Cs):
Tuesday, April 14, 10:00 AM,
Speaker: TBD
Contact: President Bill Searle at (860) 745-3692.
Chapter 425 (Sun Coast Area)
Welcome Back Picnic
April 14th 2015, 11am at Phillipe Park in Safety Harbor, FL. shelter #7.
Hamburgers & Hot Dogs Provided,
Feel Free To Bring A Guests Or A Dessert.
Questions call Ursula Bracker, Secretary at 727-848-0089
Chapter 441 (Cape Cod Area)
Spring Meeting: April 22, 2015, 9:30am
Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank (Across from Patriots Mall)
688 Main St. South Dennis MA.
Speakers at 10am, Nancy Driscoll CSEA Retiree Liaison and State Insurance Providers.
Contact: George Levesque, 508-771-4679
We regret to inform you of the passing of the following members.
Beverly Behrendt , Muncie , 9/21/2011
Donald L Gordon , Sierra Vista , 11/15/2014
Virginia T Pyle , Port Stlucie , 11/29/2014
Martin W Breadheft , Englewood , 10/17/2013
Karl E Hammarstrom , Columbia , 11/15/2014
Elizabeth A Robinson , Glastonbury , 12/2/2014
Robert N Brooks , Pompano Beach , 10/31/2013
Edward J King , Kensington , 11/15/2014
John S Roscoe , Cheshire , 12/2/2014
Cleveland Brown , Dalinton , 12/28/2013
Doris M Leffingwell , Oakdale , 11/17/2014
Hazel M Sargent , Somersville , 12/2/2014
Edwin A Brown , Jewett City , 1/23/2014
Louis S Leitkowski , Pt Stlucie , 11/18/2014
Suzanne L Steinberg , Wilton , 12/4/2014
Dennis R Burke , East Haddam , 6/5/2014
Jean Manter , Storrs Mansfield , 11/18/2014
Joseph M Stinson , Waterbury , 12/5/2014
Thomas Cardillo , Palm Coast , 6/12/2014
Laura D Martin , Waterbury , 11/19/2014
Antoinette R Taricani , New Britain , 12/7/2014
Phyllis L Clark , Vernon , 8/15/2014
Linda B Mason , Punta Gorda , 11/20/2014
Anna C Taylor , Ellington , 12/9/2014
William J Dowd , Pineland , 8/30/2014
Dorothea Mcmanamy , Plainville , 11/20/2014
Lynn E Wagner , Naugatuck , 12/10/2014
Henry F Drewniany , Windsor , 9/24/2014
Ralph Meredith , Saint Petersburg , 11/20/2014
Clifford C Walker , Newtown , 12/11/2014
Gloria A Dubeau , North Grosvenorda ,
10/20/2014
Alvah L Messina , Norwich , 11/21/2014
Sam Wechter , Coconut Creek , 12/13/2014
Joseph J Mudry , Bristol , 11/21/2014
Gwen Wexler , Killingworth , 12/15/2014
Justine F Pingree , Leominster , 11/25/2014
Edward Wojtusik , Bristol , 12/15/2014
Donald N Porter , Milford , 11/27/2014
Wilbur R. Wood , Meriden , 1/21/2015
Natalie Fournier , Stow , 10/24/2014
Ernest J Gelinas , Surry , 11/10/2014
CSEA NEWS
April, 2015
Page 3
CSEA Social Activities Presents:
Visit Our Web Site
Saturday, June 6, 2015
11am-8pm
Find all the essential information
about the products and services
we have to offer. You can even
print a loan application online!
Best of all, it’s accessible from
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hours a day, 7 days a week.
Only 39.00/person (Children 3 years and younger are free)
Free Parking!!! Unlimited Use of ALL RIDES, Shows, Attractions!! (With the exception
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BBQ Chicken, Charbroiled Burgers, Grilled Hot Dogs, Veggie Burgers, Baked Beans,
Potato Salad, Salad Bar, Fruit Salad, Ice Cream, Beverages
www.CSECreditUnion.com
DISCOUNT RETURN VOUCHER-- Come Back To Lake Compounce for only $15.00**
Trip Sponsored by CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 Social Activities Committee (SAC). For More
information call the Local hall at (800) 894-9479 or (860) 951-6614, send email to
[email protected]
Good Friday, April 3, 2015
Dividend Rates - First Quarter 2015
Dividend Rate
Annual
Percentage Yield
REGULAR SHARES
SHARE DRAFTS (Checking)
CLUB ACCOUNTS
0.65%
0.25%
0.40%
0.65%
0.25%
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Minimum opening balance $25.00. The annual percentage yield is accurate
as of the last dividend declaration date. Rate may change after the account
is opened. Fees or other conditions may reduce the earnings on the account.
7 Full Service Offices To Serve You
NORWICH
Uncas on Thames
401 West Thames St.
Norwich, CT 06306
(860) 889-7378
HARTFORD
84 Wadsworth St.
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 522-5388 (Savings)
(860) 522-7147 (Loans)
NEW HAVEN
1666 Litchfield Turnpike
Woodbridge, CT 06525
(203) 397-2949
MIDDLETOWN
NEWINGTON
STORRS
SOUTHBURY
P.O. Box 2485
O’Neil Plaza
1244 Storrs Rd. Southbury Training School
Middletown, CT 06457 Storrs, CT 06268
2434 Berlin Turnpike
P.O. Box 644
(860) 347-0479
(860) 429-9306
Southbury, CT 06488 Newington, CT 06111
(860) 667-7668
(203) 267-7610
Hours: Main Office: Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Branches: Mon-Fri, 9:30am-4pm
Drive-Up Teller (Hartford Only): Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm; Paydays Open Until 5pm
Make checks payable to “CSEA Social Activities” and mail to CSEA/SEIU Local 2001,
760 Capitol Ave, Hartford CT 06106 By May 22, 2015 Please call for availability after
deadline.
STR
ONGER
Local 2001
TOGETHER
CSEA NEWS
The Voice of Connecticut’s
Public Service Employees & Retirees
USPS # 224-100 ISSN # 0273-6055
Published Monthly by
CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
Local 2001, Service Employees International Union, CTW, CLC
Stephen Anderson..................................................................... President
Roland Bishop.......................................................... Secretary/Treasurer
David Glidden............................................................ Executive Director
Benjamin P. Phillips.......................................... Communications Director
Jason P. Webster...................................... Graphic/ Technical Assistance
INSERTION DEADLINE: 1st of prior month.
MAILING ADDRESS: CSEA/SEIU Local 2001, 760 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106;
PHONES: (860) 951-6614, toll-free: (800) 894-9479, FAX: (860) 951-3526; INTERNET:
www.csea-ct.com.
“CSEA NEWS” (USPS 224-100, ISSN 0273-6055) is published monthly for $2.80
per year members, $5.00 per year non-members, by CSEA/SEIU Local 2001, 760
Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106-1263. Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, CT.
Postmaster: Send address changes to “CSEA NEWS,” 760 Capitol Ave., Hartford,
CT 06106-1263.
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
April, 2015
that pass out of committee will
be subject to votes in other
committees which have overlapping
areas of interest. For instance,
if a bill appropriates money, no
matter what committee in which
it was introduced, it will ultimately
make its way to the Appropriations
Committee for a vote. All bills
are either Senate or House bills,
and after a bill completes the
committee process, it gets sent to
its respective chamber for a vote.
Committees are now reaching their
JF deadlines and there has been a
lot of action on CSEA’s priorities.
CSEA 2015 Legislative Agenda:
• Contractor
Transparency: CSEA
proposed that invoicing reports
of consultants and contractors
are placed on transparency.
ct.gov or the state contracting
portal. Right now, the only
way to see the actual payment
invoices contractors and
consultants are submitting
to the state is to travel to
a state office in Newington
and review paper copies. The
Comptroller, while supportive
of the underlying concept has
expressed some concerns about
the resources needed to do
this. Given the constraints of
the state budget and the lack of
resources in the Comptroller’s
office, we were unable to forge
a compromise. CSEA members
will continue to fight for this
important layer of transparency
in future legislative sessions and
will continue conversations with
the Comptroller’s office;
• Health Claims Data
Reporting: CSEA members
have fought for years to lower
health care costs and improve
access to health plans through
pooling. At the start of the
legislative sessions, we proposed
to require all municipalities to
submit health care claims data
to the Comptroller’s office
to provide a more accurate
picture of local health care
insurance costs. Our proposal
was taken up by the Labor and
Public Employees Committee as
Senate Bill 913. The committee
voted in favor of the bill. It is
on the Senate calendar and will
most likely be sent to another
committee for review and a
vote;
• Paraeducator Serving
as Substitutes: Protect
the ability of paraeducators
to serve as substitutes in the
classroom. This proposal was
CSEA Social Activities Committee Presents:
CAPE COD
June 3-5, $275
CSEA NEWS
taken up by the Education
Committee as House Bill 6968.
Unfortunately, this bill will not
be moving forward this year
as we continue to speak with
paraeducators outside of CSEA
and work to gain additional
support for our proposal;
• Law Enforcement
Indemnification: Currently,
CSEA members who serve
as inspectors in the Division
of Criminal Justice are
excluded from the state’s law
enforcement indemnification
statute. Senate Bill 1106 in the
Judiciary Committee would
change that. The bill is not
yet in a form members can
support – but we are speaking
with committee members and
working to amend the bill.
As of this writing, SB 1106 is
awaiting a vote in the Judiciary
Committee; and
• Union Rights: Collective
bargaining rights for State
Education Resource Center
(SERC) employees. This
proposal was taken up by the
Labor and Public Employees
Committee as Senate Bill 984
and was favorable voted out of
committee.
Legislation CSEA will be supporting
through coalition with other
organizations:
• Paid Family Medical
Leave: As part of the
Campaign for Paid Family Leave,
CSEA is fighting to create a
system of paid family leave in
Connecticut. The concept
was taken up by the Labor and
Public Employees as House Bill
6932 and was favorably voted
out of committee;
• Low Wages Workers:
Require large employers like
Walmart to pay their workers
a minimum of $15 an hour or
pay a fee to the Connecticut
General Fund. This concept has
been introduced in, both, the
Labor and Public Employees
Committee as House Bill
6791 and the Human Services
Committee as Senate Bill
1044. This bill could generate
upwards of $200 million a year
in revenue for the state, to say
nothing of the impact it will have
in increased wages for working
men and women. Both versions
of the low wage worker bill
successfully passed out of their
respective committees.
Experience A Hyannis Harbor
Cruise, Explore Sea Side Towns Of
Hyannis And Sandwich, Visit The JFK
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Transportation, Lodging
And & 4 Meals Included
Pick up points in Waterbury,
Winsdsor, and Willington.
Page 4
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$150
Saturday,
June 20th, 2015
7PM game
Old Timer’s Day/Willie Randolph Day
Ticket Price is $150 pp and will include BBQ Buffet Inside the stadium.
Pick Up Times TBD
Call 860-951-6614 for more information!
Child Care Providers Are
Fighting for $15
On Wednesday, March 12, CSEA
members Miriam Paredes of Meriden
and rJo Winch of Hartford testified at a
public hearing before the Connecticut
General Assembly’s Human Services
Committee in support of Senate Bill
1044. Right now, large, profitable
corporations like Walmart and
McDonalds pay many of their employees
so little that they qualify for public
assistance programs. It is wrong to make
taxpayers subsidize the low wages of
large corporations. SB 1044 gives these
large, highly profitable corporations a
choice: pay your employees $15 an hour
or pay a fee of $1 an hour that the state
will use to pay for child care and health
care services that working people need
to get by. The overwhelming majority of
employees who are making these lower
Proveedores de cuidado
infantil luchan por $15
El miércoles, 12 de marzo, miembros
de CSEA Miriam Paredes de Meriden y
rJo Winch de Hartford testificaron en
una audiencia pública ante el Comité
de Servicios Humanos de la Asamblea
General de Connecticut, para apoyar
el Proyecto de Ley 1044 del Senado. En
la actualidad, las grandes corporaciones
lucrativas como Walmart y McDonalds
les pagan a muchos de sus empleados
tan poco que ellos son elegibles para
programas de asistencia pública. No está
bien que los contribuyentes tengan que
subsidiar los bajos sueldos de las grandes
corporaciones. SB 1044 les da a estas
grandes corporaciones muy lucrativas
una opción: paguen a sus empleados $15
por hora o paguen una tarifa de $1 por
hora, que el estado utilizará para pagar
por el cuidado infantil y los servicios
de salud que las personas trabajadoras
necesitan para subsistir. wages are adults with families – not
teens – and a majority are in households
where their low wages are the only
source of income. “As a child care
provider I pay the subsidy twice. First my
taxes subsidize these large corporations,
second I subsidize through my own low
wages,” said Sister Winch.
Despite working hard, 25% of
Connecticut households have earnings
above the federal poverty level but
below what is considered necessary
to afford basic needs. These working
families need SB1044. As part of a national day of action,
on April 15th men and women from
throughout Connecticut will meet at the
Workers’ Memorial in Bushnell Park in
Hartford as part of SEIU’s Fight for $15
Campaign.
La abrumadora mayoría de empleados
que ganan estos sueldos más bajos son
adultos con familias, no adolescentes, y la
mayoría vive en hogares donde sus bajos
sueldos son la única fuente de ingresos.
“Como proveedora de cuidado infantil,
pago el subsidio dos veces. Primero mis
impuestos subsidian a estas grandes
corporaciones, segundo yo subsidio
por medio de mi bajo sueldo”, dijo la
Hermana Winch.
A pesar de trabajar arduamente, el 25%
de los hogares en Connecticut ganan
ingresos por encima del nivel federal de
pobreza, pero por debajo de lo que es
considerado necesario para pagar por
las necesidades básicas. Estas familias
trabajadoras necesitan SB1044. Como parte de un día nacional de
acción, el 15 de abril, hombres y
mujeres de todo Connecticut se
reunirán en Workers’ Memorial, en
Bushnell Park, en Hartford, como parte
de la campaña “Lucha de SEIU por $15”.
CSEA NEWS
April, 2015
Page 5
Connecticut’s Economy Needs Higher Wages!
William Buhler
SEIU/CSEA Legislative Action Co-Chair
Low pay puts a drag on
Connecticut’s economy. At large
retail chains such as McDonalds
workers make $9.15 an hour roughly $16,000 a year before
taxes. Wages this low make them
eligible for food stamps, medicaid
and state funded health care.
Meanwhile the CEO to worker
pay ratio in the fast food industry
exceeds 1000 to 1. In effect our
taxes are subsidizing the outrageous
compensation of those at the top.
Corporate profits have never been
so good as they are today, but
gains have not been shared with
employees. Lower paid workers
actually have less buying power
today than they did 30 years ago.
Wages for middle income families
have barely risen above inflation.
Something needs to be done to
shrink the gap between the obscene
income of those at the top and the
meager wages of those at the front
lines. Its about fairness, morality
and making Connecticut’s economy
work for everyone.
Courant’s
Proposed “Slight”
Readjustment of
Benefits
An Evaluation
By Robert D. Rinker
Recently, the Hartford Courant
opined on its Editorial pages (March
8, 2015), that “workers are giving
back elsewhere.” In order not to
be accused of quoting the Courant
out of context, I will restate their
opinion.
“The State needs a quality workforce,
which means attracting talented
workers and paying them competitively,
but not going broke in the process.
State workers could help Connecticut
break the cycle by agreeing, as part of
collective bargaining to slightly readjust
their pension and benefit formulas.
For example, instead of determining
pension payout based on the average
of the top three years of salary, make it
the top five years. Increase the amount
that retirees pay for health benefits.
Eliminate overtime payments from
pension calculations.
Faced with a staggering unfunded
liability four years ago, Rhode Island
officials, led by Treasurer Gina Raimondo
suspended cost-of-living adjustments,
raised the retirement ages, moved
workers into a hybrid pension plan and
reduced future benefits from current
state employees.Thought it is still tied
up in court, Mr. Raimondo is now the
Governor and other states have followed
the Rhode Island model in ballooning
cost of retirement benefits for public
sector workers.
Connecticut could use ‘Rhode Island lite.’
Any more ideas?”
Once again we are faced with a
state budget deficit but it is not
hard to understand why. Corporate
taxes once accounted for 25% of
state revenues, but now cover less
than 7% due to tax loopholes.
Highly profitable retail chains have
also been keeping tax revenue
away from the state indirectly, by
keeping employee wages flat. These
obstructions keep both the state
government and resident wage
earners without sufficient spending
money to expand Connecticut’s
economy.
Corporate lobbyists claim that if
workers’ wages are raised jobs will
be lost. The reality is that unless
workers’ pay is raised, there will be
no reason to hire.
Be part of the wages conversation
by joining the “Fight for $15” at
Bushnell Park in Hartford, April 15
at 4:15 pm.
Yes, here are some quick ones and a
more detailed analysis:
1. The Hartford Courant
editorial page writers
should read its newspaper
clippings of the sacrifices
made by state employees
four years ago.
2. State employees made their
sacrifice in exchange for
job security and retirement
security including a pension
agreement that will now
expire on June 30, 2022.
The agreement should not
be reopened unless it is to
the mutual benefit of
the State of Connecticut
and its employees. The
reopener on the Tier II, IIA,
and III breakpoint and its
resolution is example of
mutual benefit.
3. The State’s unfunded liability
has been cut significantly
by the agreement, both
pension and retiree health
insurance. The pension
unfunded is projected to
be eliminated by 2032. In
fact, the administration and
SEBAC agreed to increase
funding in 2012.
4. Although the Courant
believes the current deficit
is huge, it is 2015 and
not 2011 when the state
had its worst deficit in
its history, but that does
not stop the Courant for
wanting to heap upon
state employees the worst
of concessions that were
imposed on Rhode Island
state employees unilaterally
without the benefit of being
collectively bargaining with
state employees.
Did you know that CSEA
has a Facebook page?
If you use Facebook, “Like” our page today!
SEIU Local 2001
Look For
Our Logo!
Stronger Together
The following is a comparison of
the Courant’s “slight” readjustment
of benefits with the SEBAC 2011
agreement:
Courant proposal – Pension
calculation based upon top five years,
not top three years.
SEBAC 2011 Agreement – New
employees after July 1, 2011 will
have a top five year average for
pension calculation.
Courant proposal – Increase
the amount retirees pay for health
insurance.
SEBAC 2011 Agreement – State
employees will contribute 3% of
their pay into a Retiree Health
Insurance Trust Fund for ten
years. State is to match the 3%
contribution in July 2017. This
agreement was result of an on-going
demand from SEBAC since 1988 to
pre-fund retiree health benefits. The
Malloy administration agreed that
this was the right course to go for
retiree health insurance to ensure it
sustainability over the long term.
Other SEBAC 2011 agreement is
for premium co-shares for early
retirees until they reach normal
retirement age.
Courant proposal – Eliminate
overtime payment for pension
calculations.
SEBAC 2011 Agreement – Restricts
mandatory overtime pay of pension
calculations to 150% of base pay
beginning in July 2015. Continues
not non-mandatory overtime cap of
130%.
The Courant wants to punish state
workers for the understaffing of
24/7 operations like state prisons or
for snowplow drivers for extremely
harsh winters. If institutions
were properly staffed, mandatory
overtime would not be an issue. And
who do we blame for the weather; I
expect that Courant views this as a
Union-created event.
Courant proposal – Suspended
COLA adjustments for pension
benefits.
SEBAC 2011 agreement – Adjusted
the COLA benefit for retirees after
October 1, 2011, from “2.5% to
6.5%” to “2% to 7.5%.” This change
PS: We’re on twitter too!
reflected the lower rate of inflation
for the past few years and also
protects retirees from periods of
high inflation. COLA’s are meant
to protect the purchasing power
and standard of living of retirees.
One should not see their quality of
life deteriorate as one gets older.
It is why Social Security, one of the
best retirement security programs
in American’s history, has COLA
protections.
Courant Proposal – Raise the
retirement age.
SEBAC 2011 Agreement - Current
employees retiring after July 1, 2022
and who were employed prior to
July 1, 2011 will see their retirement
age rise from 60 and 25 years of
service and 62 years of age and 10
years of service to age 63 and 25
years of service and 65 years and
10 ten years ,respectively. These
employees had the opportunity
to elect to make a small actuarial
contribution to maintain the old
age and service requirements. New
employees after July 1, 2011, will
have the higher age requirement for
a normal retirement including new
hazardous duty employees with age
50 and 20 years of service or 25
years and out.
Courant Proposal – Hybrid
pension plan and reduce future
benefits.
SEBAC 2011 Agreement – The
maintenance of a defined benefit
pension plan with 10 years of
vesting service is cheaper for the
State and provides for a better
benefit that a defined contribution
plan, which is what hybrid plan is
dressed up to be.
State employees have a threelegged stool for retirement; the legs
are their defined benefit pension
plan, their social security benefits,
and their deferred compensation
plan. These three income sources
along with retiree health insurance
afford the career state employee
with retirement security, the same
security all workers should have
in retirement. My friends on the
Courant editorial board, this is how
you attract and, you forgot this one,
retain talented workers, without
going broke.
CSEA NEWS
April, 2015
Page 6
Ignite: Sparking Leadership Conference
Who doesn’t love a good CSEA group shot?
In early March, nearly 1000 SEIU
leaders, including 12 CSEA members
and staff, converged on St. Louis
for the Ignite: Sparking Leadership
conference. The conference was
aimed to energize, inspire and train
new leaders in the labor movement.
Participants took home concepts,
skills, ideas, and new tools to use
in building a movement strong
enough to ensure that everyone has
a fair shot at a decent life, and realize
SEIU’s overall vision for a just society. Attendees (listed below) were from
a wide cross section of our union;
•
•
•
•
•
•
Steve Anderson - P4
(Engineering, Scientific and
Technical) Council
Roland Bishop - P3B (Education
Professionals) Council
Keryn Felder - P3A (Educational
Administrators) Council
David Freedman - Council 760
(Municicipal)
Queen Freelove - Childcare
Council
Pat Gaskin - Bus Drivers Council
•
•
•
•
•
Roger Ives - Council 400
(Retirees)
Julius Preston - CSC
(Corrections Supervisors)
Tim Riddle - Paraeducator
Council
Travis Woodward - P4 Council
Staff attendees: Charlie Fabian,
Gary Smith
Over the course of the four
day conference, there were in
depth discussions and workshops
surrounding our economy, the
connections between economic and
racial justice, the Fight for $15, and
worker power.
Conference participants explored
the inherent tension in our economy,
and how we got to where we are
today, with an economy which
benefits those in the top 1% rather
than middle class workers.
In the Public Division meeting
held during the conference,
participants discussed the attacks
Nearly two-thirds of
Americans are paid less
now than in 2002. Let’s
DO SOMETHING about
it on April 15.
Mary Kay Henry, President SEIU
If you listen to some experts, the economy
is doing just fine. That may be true for
many corporations that are enjoying
record profits. But for too many ordinary
families, falling wages are a huge problem.
In fact, nearly two-thirds of American
households earn less money today than
they did in 2002.
On April 15, people from all walks of life
will stand up to fight for jobs and wages
that boost our economy and strengthen
communities.
If you believe that we need to raise wages
CSEA’s Queen Freelove, Child Care Provider, addresses the Conference
on worker power, and our division’s
commitment to the All in This
Together for Power (AIT4P)
framework adopted by Public
Division leaders in at their January
meeting. This framework recognizes
that the roots of the labor
movement and the gains we have
made for workers came from hard
fought collective action rather than
dues deduction, grievances or closed
shops.
The AIT4P framework also
recognizes the brave fast food
workers fighting for $15 per hour
and a union, who are part of the
group of 50 million unrepresented
service workers across our country
who are paid less than $15 per
hour. Finally, the AIT4P framework
recognizes that our locals are
resilient and creative, and that we
need to adapt for changing times so
we can thrive in any environment.
where one of our top priorities is to
pass a low wage worker minimum
wage bill that will require large
employers such as Walmart and
McDonald’s to pay their workers a
minimum of $15 per hour or pay a
fee to the State which will be used
at least in part, to fund childcare
provider services. Further, our local
has faced continual challenges in our
bargaining units from Right-to-Work
Foundation backed decertification
efforts, and this conference helped
strengthen our union’s position in
fighting those working to weaken
unions.
A follow-up meeting with
participants is in the works, to
discuss the conference and where
CSEA goes from here.
The conference was timely, since we
are now well into a legislative session
to have a better future for ourselves, our
children and grandchildren, join us.
I’m so inspired by the regular people -some who belong to a union, and many
who don’t yet -- who are building the Fight
for $15 movement.
This movement that was started by fastfood cooks and cashiers has exploded to
include people who work at Walmart,
airport baggage handlers and passenger
service attendants, home care providers,
child care workers, adjunct college faculty,
and other underpaid people who want
to create jobs that pay people enough to
actually live on. Together, we are fighting for an economy
that works for all of us, not just the
wealthy few.
Powerful CEOs could pay people more,
but they simply choose not to. When large,
profitable companies attempt to pay as
little as they can get away with, even fulltime jobs can pay so little that workers
qualify for food stamps. Working moms
and dads can’t afford basic needs for
their kids. Young people can’t afford to go
to school to upgrade their skills. Entire
neighborhoods fall behind.
When we demand and win a higher
floor for wages, we will not help not
just individuals and families, but also our
communities and the larger economy. Americans will be better off when we make
sure we have the right to stick together
in unions to speak up for ourselves at
work –- to speak out for better pay and a
better life -- and that employers can’t take
away this right.
If one person speaks out, she is ignored.
But in SEIU, we know that when many of
us stand up together, we are heard. We are
taken seriously. We make change happen.
April, 2015
CSEA NEWS
Savannah, Jekyll Island & Beaufort
Page 7
Sep. 27-Oct. 3, $579
Tour Jekyll & St. Simon’s Island, Tour Of
Charming Savannah And Much More!
Transportation, Lodging
And 10 Meals Included
Following the news
that Anthem had been
the victim of the largest
cyber attack in history,
the company released
the following FAQ:
Was my information
accessed?
Anthem is currently conducting an
extensive IT Forensic Investigation to
determine what members are impacted.
We are working around the clock to
determine how many people have been
impacted and will notify all Anthem
members who are impacted through a
written communication. NOTE: last month
CSEA incorrectly reported that this process
had been completed. It is ongoing.
Did this impact all lines
of Anthem Business?
At this point in the investigation, it appears
that all product lines are impacted except
for those current or former Anthem
members who only had coverage for
workers compensation, life or disability
insurance only.
Is my (plan/brand)
impacted?
The impacted (plan/brand) include Anthem
Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue
Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Georgia, Empire Blue Cross and Blue
Shield, Amerigroup, Caremore, Unicare,
HealthKeepers and Golden West.
Initial investigation indicates that the
member data accessed included names,
dates of birth, member ID/ social security
numbers, addresses, phone numbers,
email addresses and employment
information.
Who is responsible
for this cyber attack or
breach?
Anthem is working closely with federal law
How can I be sure my
personal and health
information is safe with
Anthem, Inc.?
the attacker.
When will I receive my
letter in the mail?
We continue working to identify the
members who are impacted. We will begin
to mail letters to impacted members in the
coming weeks.
How can I sign up
for credit monitoring/
identity protection
services?
All impacted members, former members
and impacted affiliated plan members will
receive notice via mail which will advise
them of the protections being offered.
Impacted members may also sign up
via AnthemFacts.com.
resolution of cyber attacks. We will work
any further vulnerabilities and work to
strengthen security.
Does this impact Blue
Cross and Blue Shield
plans not owned by
Anthem?
No, our current investigation shows the
information accessed did not include credit
card numbers or banking info.
Members who may have been
impacted by the cyber attack against
Anthem, should be aware of scam
email campaigns targeting current and
former Anthem members. These scams,
designed to capture personal information
(known as “phishing”) are designed to
appear as if they are from Anthem and the
emails include a “click here” link for credit
Anthem.
•
DO NOT click on any links in email.
•
DO NOT reply to the email or reach
out to the senders in any way.
•
DO NOT supply any information on
the website that may open, If you
have clicked on a link in email.
•
DO NOT open any attachments that
arrive with email.
Members who have provided e-mails to
Anthem and have opted in to receiving
directing them to visit AnthemFacts.
com to sign up for services. This e-mail
is scheduled to be distributed the week
of Feb. 16. This email, sent due to state
notification requirements, will not ask
Yes, BlueCard members are impacted. The
for personal information and will not
BlueCard is a national program that
than AnthemFacts.com
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s
contain a link to any websites other
enables members of one Blue Cross and
Blue Shield Plan to obtain healthcare
the country and in more than 200 countries
I received a call from
Anthem related to this
cyber attack asking for
my information, what
should I do?
electronic network for claims processing
the cyber attack and is not asking for
services while traveling or living in another
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan’s service
area. The program links participating
healthcare providers with the independent
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans across
and territories worldwide through a single
and reimbursement.
The independent Blue Cross and Blue
Shield plans affected include some
members of Arkansas BCBS, BCBS
of Alabama, BCBS of Arizona, BCBS
of Hawaii, BCBS of Kansas, BCBS of
there was no diagnosis or treatment data
Do the people
who accessed my
information have my
credit card numbers?
I think I received a
scam email related to
Anthem’s cyber attack?
communications may receive an e-mail
Kansas City, BCBS of Louisiana, BCBS
exposed.
with this company to reduce the risk of
Do the people
who accessed my
information know about
my medical history?
No - our investigation to date indicates
has contracted with a global company
specializing in the investigation and
Anthem is not calling members regarding
credit card information or social security
numbers over the phone. All impacted
members will receive notice via mail which
will advise them of the protections being
offered to them as well as any next steps.
If you believe you have been a victim of
of Massachusetts, BCBS of Michigan,
a scam or identity theft crime related to
BCBS of Nebraska, BCBS of North
Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.IC3.
of Rhode Island, BCBS of South Carolina,
identifying your complaint as “Anthem”
BCBS of Minnesota, BCBS of Mississippi,
this incident, please file with the Internet
Carolina, BCBS of North Dakota, BCBS
gov . Please be as descriptive as possible
BCBS of Tennessee, BCBS of Vermont,
and try to include the following:
BCBS of Wyoming, Blue Cross of
Idaho, Blue Shield of California, Capital
Blue Cross, CareFirst BCBS, BCBS of
•
Service Association of Northeastern PA,
•
websites, bank fraud information, and
Lifetime Healthcare, Inc., Premera BCBS,
beneficiary names.
Wellmark BCBS, BlueCross BlueShield
BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma,
Identifiers of the perpetrators
such as names, email addresses,
Independence Blue Cross, La Cruz Azul,
of Illinois, BlueCross BlueShield of Texas,
Details on how, when, and why you
believe you were defrauded.
Florida, GeoBlue, HealthNow New York,
Highmark BCBS, Horizon BCBS, Hospital
•
and portions of Washington state).
to its database warehouses. Anthem
enforcement investigators. At this time, no
one person or entity has been identified as
& Utah) and Regence BlueShield (in Idaho
•
Actual or attempted loss amounts.
Header information from email
messages.
Regence BlueCross BlueShield (in Oregon
Anthem is doing everything it can to
ensure there is no further vulnerability
•
BlueCross BlueShield of Montana,
monitoring. These emails are NOT from
What information has
been compromised?
BlueCross BlueShield of New Mexico,
Other relevant information to support
your complaint.
Complainants are encouraged to save all
original documentation, emails, faxes, and
logs from communications in the event
you are contacted by Law Enforcement.
Does this impact Blue
Cross and Blue Shield
Federal Employee
Program plans?
Yes, based upon the investigation thus
far, it appears that Blue Cross and Blue
Shield Federal Employee Program plans
members are impacted. The Blue Cross
and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan is
part of the Federal Employees Health
Benefits Program (FEHBP.)
If I choose to purchase
credit monitoring
and repair services
effective immediately,
will Anthem reimburse
me?
No. Anthem is contracting with a trusted
vendor to provide free identity repair
services, which will be retroactive to the
date of the potential exposure, and credit
monitoring to all those impacted, and will
not reimburse for services that you may
have independently purchased.
Does the acceptance
of Anthem’s offer of 2
years of AllClear ID’s
identity theft repair
or credit monitoring
services cause
members to waive any
legal rights?
No.
Since there
is integration
between Anthem
and HealthEquity,
does the breach
also compromise
employees’ Health
Equity account?
Anthem’s research to date indicates that
no FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or
HSA (Health Savings Account) data was
compromised.
What if I am living
internationally and
need to contact
AllClear for identity
repair services?
Please contact the international non-toll
free number at 512-201-2195.
CSEA NEWS
April, 2015
Page 9
Hudson Notice
CSEA SEIU LOCAL 2001
NOTICE TO ALL NON-MEMBER AGENCY FEE PAYERS
BASED ON EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 06/30/2014
This Notice is being provided to all individuals who pay agency fees to CSEA, SEIU Local
2001. (Hereinafter “Local 2001”) under collective bargaining agreements between Local
2001 and various employers in the State of Connecticut. Such Notice is being implemented
in order to comply with the requirements of the decisions of the United States Supreme
Court in Chicago Teachers Union Local No. 1, AFT, AFL-CIO et. al. v. Hudson, 106 S. Ct.
1066, 475 U.S. 292 (1986), and Communications Workers v. Beck, 487 U.S. 735, 108 S. Ct.
2641 (1988).
The U.S. Supreme Court has held that federal law does not permit a labor union to use
union funds collected from non-mem­bers pursuant to a union security clause on union
activities unrelated to representational activity, if the nonmember objects. Represen­tational
activity includes all matters germane to collective bargaining, contract administra­tion, and
grievance adjustment.
PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION
AND PROCEDURES REGARDING YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.
Local 2001 believes that the funds it expends on activities deemed nonrepresentational,
such as certain types of legislative lobbying, litigation, public relations and communications,
are vitally necessary to fulfilling Local 2001’s role in representing and improving the working
conditions for all employees. Employees who have not joined Local 2001 are urged to
consider the benefits of full union membership. Members may participate in decision making
on matters such as wages, benefits, and working conditions. Members may participate fully
in union activities such as developing contract proposals, voting on collective bargaining
agreements, and elect­ing and/or running for union office. Members may also participate in
the various member only benefit programs offered by the union, such as discounted retail and
insurance programs, the McCusker Scholarship program for children of members, discounted
travel opportunities and other member only benefits that are offered from time to time.
Employ­ees who choose not to join Local 2001 may nonetheless continue to support the union
by not objecting to paying an agency fee equal to the dues that union members pay.
As determined by Local 2001 and verified by an independent certified public accounting firm,
for the year ending June 30, 2014, 68.58 % of Local 2001’s expenses have been classified as
being for represen­tational functions; 31.42 % of the expenses have been classified as nonrepresentational. Nonmembers who pay an agency service fee that is equal to membership
dues have the right to object to pay­ing the non-chargeable portion of the agency service fee
which finances nonrepresentational union activities.
Those who file an objection are classified as objecting nonmembers and are required to pay
only the fair share fee required under the union security clause.
The fair share fee reflects your share of Local 2001’s expenditures for collective bargaining,
grievances and arbitrations, contract administration and representation, as well as other
matters germane to collective bargaining. The categories of activity that have been included
in calculating your fair share fee include the following:
1. Gathering information from employees concerning collective bargaining proposals.
2. Gathering information in preparation for the negotiation of collective bargaining
agreements.
3. Negotiating collective bargaining agreements.
4. Adjusting grievances and conducting arbitrations pursuant to collective bargaining
agreements.
5. Conducting ratification proceedings for negotiated agreements.
6. Providing information on the negotiations, or provisions in collective bargaining
agreements, as well as on matters relating to representation in the collective bargaining
process and contract administration.
7. Purchasing books, reports, and advance sheets used in matters relating to representation
in the collective bargaining process.
8. Paying technicians and professionals in labor law, economics, and other subjects for
services used in (a) negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements, and (b)
processing grievances and conducting arbitrations.
9. Defending Local 2001 against efforts by other unions or organizing committees to gain
representation rights in units represented by the union.
10. Participating in proceedings regarding the jurisdiction of Local 2001.
11. Publishing those portions of newspapers and newsletters which relate to bargaining and
representation.
12. Participating in lawful impasse procedures, and fact finding, mediation, arbitration, and
economic action intended to secure favorable collective bargaining agreement and favorable
resolution of grievances.
13. Prosecuting and defending litigation or charges before administrative agencies relating to
ratification, interpretation, or enforcement of collective bargaining agreements.
14. Supporting and paying affiliation fees to SEIU and subordinate bodies of the SEIU to the
extent that such support and fees relate to the representational interests of Local 2001 in the
collective bargaining process and contract administration.
15. Prosecuting and defending litigation or charges relating to concerted activity, the duty of
fair representation and collective bargaining, as well as collective bargaining agreements, and
any other chargeable activities.
16. Providing social and recreational activities open to all represented employees.
17. Governing Local 2001, and conducting union elections.
18. Conducting general membership meetings and conventions.
19. Conducting the bargaining process and all contract administration related issues.
Activities that are classified as non-chargeable include the following items. In calculating
the fair share fee, Local 2001 did not include any share of expenditures, either direct or
indirect, relating to the following activities:
1. Organizing expenses
2. Training in or actual voter registration, get-out-the-vote, or political campaigns.
3. Supporting and contributing to charitable organizations.
4. Supporting and contributing to political organizations and candidates for public office.
5. Supporting and contributing to ideological causes and committees, including ballot
measures not germane to the collective bargaining process or employee working conditions.
6. Supporting and contributing to activities relating to foreign affairs.
7. Providing benefits available only to members.
8. Litigation not related to collective bargaining or Local 2001’s function as an exclusive
representative.
Enclosed please find a copy of the report on the chargeable and non-chargeable expense
analysis applied to SEIU International titled CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EXPENSES
AND ALLOCATION BETWEEN CHARGEABLE EXPENSES AND NON-CHARGEABLE
EXPENSES SERIES 3 for the year ended DECEMBER 31, 2013. It was determined by SEIU
and verified by an independent auditor that 18.763 % of the SEIU expenses were chargeable
and 81.237 % were non-chargeable. These percentages were applied to the SEIU Per Capita
payments made by Local 2001 to SEIU International to determine the appropriate amount
chargeable to Local 2001 objecting agency fee payers.
Enclosed please find the independent auditor’s report prepared by Novak Francella, LLC
which contains the Schedule of Total Expenses and Allocation of Expenses Between
Chargeable Expenses and Non-Chargeable Expenses for the year ended June 30, 2014.
PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY – NON-MEMBERS MUST COMPLY WITH
THIS PROCEDURE IN ORDER TO REGISTER AN OBJECTION AND RECEIVE A REBATE.
If a non-member fee-payer wishes to object to paying the difference between the chargeable
and non-chargeable portion of their fair share fee as described above, they must do so
individually in writing by mailing via US Mail notice of their objection to: Roland Bishop, Jr.,
Secretary-Treasurer, CSEA, SEIU Local 2001, 760 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106.
The objection must include the objector’s name, address, employer identification number,
employer’s name, work location, telephone number, and email address. Objections must be
date-stamped received in our office at 760 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT 06106 no later than 30
days after the receipt of this notice by the individual agency fee payer. Notwithstanding the
30 day requirement for filing an objection, all objections must be date stamped received in our
office by close of business (4:30 pm) on Friday, April 24, 2015 in order to be considered timely
filed. Objecting non-members who pay an agency service fee equal to regular membership
dues and who file timely objections will be refunded 31.42% of the agency service fee in
accordance with the calculation set forth in this notice. Objecting non-members who pay an
agency service fee which is less than regular membership dues and who file timely objections
will be refunded the difference between their current agency service fee and regular
membership dues less 31.42 % of non-chargeable expenses.
PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY – YOU MUST COMPLY WITH THIS
PROCEDURE IN ORDER TO REGISTER A CHALLENGE TO LOCAL 2001’S
DETERMINATION OF CHARGEABLE AND NON-CHARGEABLE PERCENTAGES.
Individual non-members have the right to challenge Local 2001’s determination of the amount
of the fair share fee.
Individual non-members who wish to challenge Local 2001’s determination of chargeable
versus non-chargeable expenses, must do so in writing by mailing via US Mail notice of their
challenge to: Roland Bishop, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer, CSEA, SEIU Local 2001, 760 Capitol
Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106. Only individual challenges will be accepted. The challenge
must include the challenging non-member’s name, address, employer identification number,
employer’s name, work location, telephone number, email address. Individual challenges must
be date-stamped received in our office at 760 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT 06106 no later than
30 days after the receipt of this notice by the individual agency fee payer. Notwithstanding the
30 day requirement for filing a challenge, all challenges must be date stamped received in our
office by close of business (4:30 pm) on Friday, April 24, 2015 in order to be considered timely
filed. Upon receipt of the written challenge, Local 2001 will place into an interest-bearing
escrow account the proportion of the fees collected from the challenging non-member that are
reasonably in dispute.
Local 2001 participates in a procedure through the American Arbitration Association under
which a reasonably prompt decision will be rendered by an independent decision-maker on
all challenges. The Arbitrator will be selected by the American Arbitration Association (AAA).
All timely filed challenges will be consolidated for a single hearing. The AAA will appoint an
arbitrator from a special panel of arbitrators experienced in employment relations who is
willing to hear and decide such issues in accordance with applicable law and the union’s
internal procedures, and who is prepared to meet the applicable time limits. The AAA will notify
the parties of the arbitrator’s appointment. After hearing testimony and evaluating evidence
presented by the parties, the Arbitrator will have the authority to determine if the fair share
fee is correct and to order any adjustments therein, if necessary, and to order that the funds
being held in the interest-bearing escrow account be distributed in accordance with his or her
opinion. The arbitration will be scheduled and conducted in accordance with the American
Arbitration Association Rules and Regulations. The Arbitrator’s fees and expenses will be paid
by Local 2001. If an individual non-member fee-payer files a challenge, he/she will bear their
own expenses for representation at the hearing, such as travel, lost wages, and attorney’s
fees.
April, 2015
CSEA NEWS
Page 10
CSEA Independent Auditor’s Report
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature and Organization - CSEA, SEIU Local
2001 (Local 2001) was incorporated in the State of
Connecticut on October 24, 1941 for the purpose
of uniting employees and retirees of the State of
Connecticut for their mutual welfare, protection, and
advancement.
Method of Accounting - The statement has been
prepared using the accrual basis of accounting.
Depreciation - Depreciation and amortization of fixed
assets are computed using the straight-line method at
rates calculated to allocate the cost of the applicable
assets over their estimated useful lives, which are 15
- 40 years for buildings and building improvements
and 3 - 7 years for furniture and fixtures. Depreciation
expense for the year ended June 30, 2014 was $26,093.
Estimates - The preparation of financial statements
in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America requires
management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect certain reported amounts of expenses in
the statement. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
NOTE 2. TAX STATUS
Local 2001 is a nonprofit organization and is exempt
from Federal and state income taxes on exempt
function income under the provisions of Section 501(c)
(5) of the Internal Revenue Code. Local 2001 has
income, attributable to its newsletter operations and
other promotional activities, that is subject to Federal
and state unrelated business income taxes. For the
year ended June 30, 2014, Local 2001 has experienced
losses on the activities and no taxes have been paid.
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America require management to evaluate
tax positions taken by Local 2001 and recognize a tax
liability if Local 2001 has taken an uncertain position
that more likely than not would not be sustained upon
examination by the U.S. Federal, state, or local taxing
authorities. Local 2001 is subject to routine audits by
taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no
audits for any tax periods in progress. Typically, tax
years will remain open for three years, however this
may differ depending upon the circumstances of Local
2001.
NOTE 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE BASES FOR
CLASSIFYING CHARGEABLE EXPENSES AND
NON-CHARGEABLE EXPENSES
Chargeable Expenses - Chargeable expenses are those
expenses incurred by Local 2001 for representational
activities. Representational activities are those duties
that Local 2001 performs as a representative of the
employees in dealings with the employers, including
collective bargaining, contract administration,
grievance arbitration, and other activities germane to
the collective bargaining process.
April, 2015
Activities that are classified as chargeable include the
following: preparation for and negotiation of collective
bargaining agreements; contract administration
including grievance activities; issues involving
specific terms and conditions of employment such as
wages, hours, benefits, employment discrimination,
tenure, pensions/retirement, social security, teacher
evaluation, environmental issues in the workplace, etc.;
professional development, curriculum development
and implementation, teaching methods and other
instructional skills, site-based decision making and
education generally, except to the extent that these
expenditures involve legislative lobbying, political
activities or external public relations; efforts to enhance
and maintain a united front, allegiance and commitment
among represented employees; arbitration proceedings,
preparation and associated costs; information retrieval
processes to support representational activities;
membership services and other activities ancillary
to collective bargaining that are principally designed
to strengthen Local 2001 as a cohesive and effective
bargaining agent including social and human relations
activities; communications, publications and public
relations efforts directed to represented employees
for Local 2001 policy and related germane activities;
governance of Local 2001 including conventions,
Executive Council and meetings and expenses,
judicial administration of constitution and bylaws,
and coordination of affiliates; internal executive
administration of Local 2001 including formulating
policy, financial administration, and maintenance
of membership status; education and training for
members, officers and employees; and litigation costs
and professional fees related to collective bargaining,
contract administration, employment rights and
benefits, organizational maintenance and defense,
duties of fair representation under State of Connecticut
law, and any other germane activities described above.
Non-Chargeable Expenses - Non-chargeable
expenses are those expenses incurred by Local 2001
for the benefit and advancement of the members and
Local 2001 which are not considered representational
activities for non-members. Non-chargeable activities
are those services that are ideological or political in
nature, exclusively for the benefit of members, and
those that are not considered germane to representing
non-members in the collective bargaining process.
Activities that are considered as non-chargeable
include the following: lobbying and political efforts
before the state legislature, state agencies, or other
executive branch officials, unless specifically related to
ratification or implementation of a collective bargaining
agreement or issues pertaining to members and nonmembers; external public relations not specifically
related to collective bargaining or contract
NOTE 4. SIGNIFICANT FACTORS AND
ASSUMPTIONS USED IN THE ALLOCATION
OF EXPENSES
BETWEEN CHARGEABLE EXPENSES AND
NON-CHARGEABLE EXPENSES
Personnel - Consists of staff wages and longevity
payments. These expenses have been allocated based
on staff analysis of their time spent on the activities
described in Note 3.
Insurance - Consists of Local 2001’s share of staff
health insurance. These expenses have been allocated
based on staff analysis of their time spent on the
activities described in Note 3.
Pension plan and other postretirement - Consists
of Local 2001’s contributions to staff pension plans
and contributions for retiree health insurance. These
expenses have been allocated based on staff analysis of
their time spent on the activities described in Note 3.
Payroll taxes - Consists of Federal and state employer
taxes on staff wages and longevity payments. These
expenses have been allocated based on staff analysis of
their time spent on the activities described in Note 3.
Travel - miscellaneous - Consists of staff mileage
expenses, automobile allowances, automobile lease
payments, automobile repairs and maintenance and
other travel expenses. These expenses have been
allocated based on related staff analysis of their time
spent on the activities described in Note 3.
CSEA NEWS
Note regarding results of all other expenses
analysis - Certain overhead and administrative expense
categories have been allocated between chargeable
and non-chargeable expenses based on the results
of analyzing all other expenses. This represents the
analysis of all expenses that can be determined to be
chargeable versus non-chargeable through analysis
with the exception of Service Employees International
Union per capita tax payments as that expense is not
controllable by Local 2001.
Telephone - Consists of land lines at Local 2001
headquarters and cell phones. These expenses have
been allocated based on the results of all other expense
analysis.
Office supplies - Consists of pens, paper, office
equipment expenses, printing supplies and various
other office supplies. These expenses have been
allocated based on the results of all other expense
analysis.
Postage - Consists of general mailing and shipping
costs. These expenses have been allocated based on the
results of all other expense analysis.
Maintenance of equipment - Consists of service
agreement costs for the offset press, labeling
equipment, folding and inserting equipment,
maintenance and repair costs of production equipment
not covered by service agreements and copier leases.
These expenses have been allocated based on the
results of all other expense analysis.
SEIU Per capita tax payments (less chapter rebates
and AMECSS) - Consists of per capita payments to
Service Employees International Union, CTW, CLC
- United States Division (SEIU), the State Council,
and dues rebates. These expenses have been allocated
based upon SEIU’s audited consolidated statement of
expenses and allocation between chargeable expenses
and non-chargeable expenses - series 3 report for
the year ended December 31, 2013. According to
this audited report, chargeable expenses represented
18.76% of total expenses. The State Council per capita
taxes are considered fully non-chargeable while dues
rebates are considered to be fully chargeable.
Council/Chapter funding and rebates - Consists
of rebates and refunds to subordinate associations,
chapters, and councils pursuant to the CSEA SEIU
Constitution. Also consists of dues refunds to members
and non-members. These expenses are considered to be
fully chargeable.
Sundry - Consists of paper goods, cleaning supplies,
and other miscellaneous uncategorized expenses. These
expenses have been allocated based on the results of all
other expense analysis.
Accounting fees - Consists of professional fees
paid for the audit of Local 2001’s annual financial
statements, preparation of Local 2001’s annual Hudson
statement, and preparation of government Forms LM-2
and 990. These expenses are considered to be fully
chargeable.
Computer service - Consists of computer network and
consulting fees. These expenses are considered to be
fully chargeable.
Bernard H. McCusker Scholarship Fund donations
- Consists of donations to the Scholarship Fund, which
is a member only Fund. As such, these expenses are
considered to be fully non-chargeable.
Dues and subscriptions - Consists of dues and
subscriptions to various legal, labor, labor relations and
arbitration publications or databases. These expenses
are considered to be fully chargeable.
Other taxes - Consists of sales and use taxes. These
expenses are considered to be fully chargeable.
Staff training - Consists of staff representative
training and support staff training. These expenses are
considered to be fully chargeable.
Capital expenses - Consists of equipment purchases.
These expenses have been allocated based on the
Page 11
results of all other expense analysis.
Housing - Consists of insurance, fidelity bonding,
real estate and property taxes, electricity, building
maintenance, janitorial supplies, parking lot lease
payments, heating, and water expenses. These expenses
have been allocated based on the results of all other
expense analysis.
Members’ service - legal - Consists of expenses
pertaining to Local 2001’s legal counsel, election
issues, and charges and trials. These expenses are
considered to be fully chargeable with the exception
of those that have been specifically identified as nonchargeable.
Organizing expense - Consists of expenses pertaining
to the organizing of new members. These expenses are
considered to be fully non-chargeable.
Publications and information - Consists of printing
and mailing costs related to the CSEA News. These
expenses were allocated between chargeable and nonchargeable based on analysis of the content of each
issue in accordance with the activities described in
Note 3.
Executive Council, officers and committees Consists of expenses related to Executive Council
meetings, officer expenses, committee and committee
meeting expenses. These expenses were allocated in
accordance with the activities described in Note 3.
Members’ service - field - Consists of arbitration
expenses and other representational expenses. These
expenses are considered to be fully chargeable.
Depreciation - Consists of depreciation expenses on
Local 2001’s building, building improvements, and
office furniture and equipment. These expenses have
been allocated based on the results of all other expense
analysis.
Grant expense - These expenses represent net
grant expenses and have been considered to be fully
chargeable.
Reclasses - This column of the Statement of Total
Expenses and Allocation of Expenses between
Chargeable and Non-Chargeable Expenses consists of
reclassifications to Local 2001’s June 30, 2014 audited
financial statements to better reflect overall expenses
for purposes of this statement. Local 2001 also
provides services for a group of managerial employees
who belong to the Association of Managerial
Employees in CT State Service, Inc. (AMECSS). Local
2001 receives a biweekly payment from the members
of AMECSS, of which a portion is transmitted back
to AMECSS. The amounts that were transferred to
AMECSS during the year ended June 30, 2014 have
been offset by the affiliate member payments received
by Local 2001. In addition, grant expenses have been
offset by grant revenue.
ONGER
R
T
S
Local 2001
TOGETHER
Page 12
CSEA NEWS
March, 2015
As a CSEA School Board Employee,
As a CSEA School Board Employee,
you could qualify for
you could qualify for
the following special discounts:
the following special discounts:
As As
a CSEA
School
Board
Employee,
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discount
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discount
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discount
Anti-theftLocal
discount
• CSEA/SEIU
2001 member
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And
discount
of
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of up
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Extra
Savings
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options Board Employee,
As apayment
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payment
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qualify for
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discount
the
following
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Anti-theft special
discount discounts:
• And
• And more
• CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 member
discount of up to 15%
• Extra Savings with automatic
payment options
• Multi-policy discount
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• And more
This CSEA/SEIU Local 2001
member
program
This
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