Fighting Back with the Truth
CSEA is under attack by the Freedom Foundation with intentionally deceptive mailers, emails and social media. They want to take your power, time to fight back!
Learn more and hear what CSEA Members are saying at: https://cseany.org/truth
Governor shows support for workforce during Public Service Recognition Week
Gov. Kathy Hochul highlighted her administration’s commitment to supporting New York’s public workforce in honor of Public Service Recognition Week.
In a show of continuing support, Governor Hochul unveiled an updated StateJobsNY website with thousands of job openings in state government and launched a public awareness effort to promote state hiring and boost recruitment. The Governor also issued a proclamation declaring Public Service Recognition Week in New York from May 5-11, 2024, and announced that state landmarks would be lit blue on May 9 to mark the week.
These actions demonstrate the Governor’s support for the public workforce as her administration continues to work to recruit and retain workers. CSEA has been working with the Governor and her administration to promote worker recruitment and retention.
“New York’s hardworking public workforce is the key to our state’s success,” Governor Hochul said. “During this year’s Public Service Recognition Week, I am reaffirming my administration’s commitment to supporting our state workers, with union contracts that honor their contributions, historic benefits like fully paid parental leave, and brand new initiatives launched as part of my State of the State agenda to grow, modernize, and diversify their ranks.”
![Public Service Week 2024[11]](https://cseany.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Public-Service-Week-202411-scaled.jpg)
The following landmarks will be lit in blue on Thursday, May 9 in honor of public service recognition week:
- One World Trade Center
- Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
- Kosciuszko Bridge
- The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
- State Education Building
- Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
- Empire State Plaza
- State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
- Niagara Falls
- Albany International Airport Gateway
- MTA LIRR – East End Gateway at Penn Station
- Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
- Moynihan Train Hall
- Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
![CSEA_MemberAppreciationMonth_2024_LawnSign_Final](https://cseany.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CSEA_MemberAppreciationMonth_2024_LawnSign_Final-scaled.jpg)
You get the job done!
May is CSEA Member Appreciation Month
Every day, CSEA members like you get the job done to provide services in every community in New York.
To acknowledge union members for the hard work they do, CSEA is once again designating May as Member Appreciation Month. CSEA regions are distributing lawn signs and holding events throughout the month to show our union’s appreciation of your efforts.
To see events that are planned for your region, watch for updates on your region’s Facebook page.
Deadline to submit CSEA 2024 statewide college scholarship applications extended
The deadline to submit applications for our union’s statewide college scholarships has been extended to May 16!
Graduating high school seniors who are eligible dependent of CSEA active members are eligible to apply for and receive a scholarship.
CSEA awards 18 $1,000 scholarships under the Irving Flaumenbaum Memorial Scholarship program, three in each region. Pearl Insurance and MetLife each sponsor a one-time $2,500 award.
PLEASE NOTE: Old applications could disqualify potential candidates. Please do not use applications from previous years – applications were recently revised.
Learn more and download the 2024 scholarship application
PLEASE NOTE: You will need your CSEA Member ID number to log in.
![Multi-Ethnic Graduating Students Celebrating](https://cseany.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AdobeStock_63040754-1024x740.jpg)
![Workers Memorial Day 2024[32]](https://cseany.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Workers-Memorial-Day-202432-scaled.jpg)
Mourn for the dead; fight for the living!
Unions around the world use Workers Memorial Day to remember and honor those who have lost their lives or become seriously injured while on the job. It is a sobering reminder of the importance of workplace safety. The day is also used as an opportunity for our union to recommit to our ongoing fight for safe and healthy workplaces.
CSEA members across the state are participating in Workers Memorial Day observances to remember all of those who were lost while doing their jobs, including these CSEA members who passed away during the past year:
Theresa Steele, a bus and cafeteria monitor at the Mexico Central School District in Oswego County, passed away on March 22, 2023, from injuries sustained in a bus accident while on the job.
Aaron Peters, a park and recreation aide at the Niagara State Park Commission, passed away on Jan. 17, 2024, while involved in tree removal at Golden Hill State Park.
CSEA celebrates Tier 6 pension plan reform in State Budget
ALBANY – CSEA, New York’s largest public employee union, is celebrating the inclusion of reforms to the Tier 6 pension plan in the FY2025 State Budget.
“We applaud Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for their strong leadership in fighting for pension equity for Tier 6 members,” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan.
The enacted state budget includes a change to how pensions are calculated. Under the new law, a Tier 6 employee’s pension will be based on their top three years of earnings instead of 5 years. This change will increase retirement security for Tier 6 employees and make Tier 6 look more like earlier pension tiers.
![Tier_6_Victory_FINAL Tier_6_victory_2024](https://cseany.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tier_6_Victory_FINAL-791x1024.jpg)
![CSEA_Statewide_Install_24_0280](https://cseany.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CSEA_Statewide_Install_24_0280.jpg)
![CSEA_Statewides_2024_0070](https://cseany.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CSEA_Statewides_2024_0070.jpg)
CSEA statewide officers installed
CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan, CSEA Executive Vice President Ron Briggs, CSEA Statewide Secretary Richard Bebo and CSEA Statewide Treasurer Nicole Meeks were installed into their new terms as our union’s officers by AFSCME International President Lee Saunders at a dinner in Albany on Thursday. Joining in the event were CSEA officers, activists, staff and guests, including New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko congratulated our union’s statewide officers via video. (Photos by Joan Heffler.)
Left, in top image, from left to right, AFSCME International President Lee Saunders swears into office CSEA Executive Vice President Ron Briggs, CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan, CSEA Statewide Treasurer Nicole Meeks and CSEA Statewide Secretary Richard Bebo. (Photo by Joan Heffler.)
Left, in bottom image, from left to right, CSEA Executive Vice President Ron Briggs, CSEA Statewide Treasurer Nicole Meeks, CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan and CSEA Statewide Secretary Richard Bebo pose at the CSEA Installation Dinner on April 10, 2024. (Photo by Joan Heffler.)
The 2024 CSEA Calendar is available
CSEA members can request a calendar to be mailed to them by filling out this form.
![CalendarFormAd2024](https://cseany.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CalendarFormAd2024-1024x648.jpg)
![DiNapoli_video](https://cseany.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DiNapoli_video-1024x573.png)
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli in a screenshot from the recruitment video.
A recruitment message to CSEA from NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli
The State Comptroller’s office is currently hiring for multiple open CSEA positions across New York State.
The office has more than 2,700 public employees statewide who are dedicated to ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively and for public good. CSEA members are highly valued members of their team, these positions are open to those who are new to government work or current New York State employees looking for a change.
Watch the video
- View all open positions with the Comptroller’s office in Albany and across the state
- Find Civil Service exam information, including continuous recruitment exams, exams open to the public and promotional exams for state employees
Apply NOW for WDI Child Care Scholarship Program
The Workforce Development Institute (WDI) launched child care scholarships to help working families with the high cost of child care in the Capital District and Western New York.
The average monthly scholarship is $1,000 per child, paid directly to child care providers for full-time care.
Eligibility guidelines apply. Scholarships are open to any resident of Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Monroe and Erie counties working 10 hours or more or is in an education of training program under the maximum eligible income.
CSEA members and families are urged to apply now! This program will go fast. It is open to the public and will end when funding runs out.
Visit WDINY.org/childcare to get an application and complete the prescreen. For questions, email scholarship@wdiny.org.
Download flyer to learn more about the program and eligibility guidelines.
![WDI_scholarship_kids_stock Image of young children smiling](https://cseany.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/WDI_scholarship_kids_stock-e1692798788636.png)
![362275539_666271238875607_5650383747995368994_n](https://cseany.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/362275539_666271238875607_5650383747995368994_n.jpg)
Test your knowledge!
Knowledge is power, and it pays off! Join the fun with our weekly union quiz on the MyCSEA app! First-time winners not only get bragging rights but a FREE exclusive CSEA t-shirt! Download the MyCSEA app today and put your mind to the test!
Learn more
State civil service exam fees waived
After a strong lobbying effort by CSEA, the state Department of Civil Service will begin waiving fees for all state civil service examinations as of July 1. This new law aims to increase the number of New Yorkers who take civil service exams and expand the pool of potential applicants to residents who may not be able to afford the exam fee. These fees will be waived until Dec. 31, 2025. Local governments are also authorized to waive civil service exam fees but are not required to do so.
Learn more
![The New York State Capitol building. The New York State Capitol, the seat of the New York State government, Albany, NY](https://cseany.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/New-York-State-Capitol.jpg)
![NYS_Civil_Service_smaller](https://cseany.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/NYS_Civil_Service_smaller.png)
State agencies hiring critical direct care, health and safety positions
The New York State Department of Civil Service’s Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement (H.E.L.P.) Program temporarily suspends the civil service exam requirement for more than 100 job titles at agencies across the state.
Learn more and apply
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New webinar available
CSEA has a brand-new webinar available for activists interested in our governance process, How to properly write and submit proposed resolutions or amendments to CSEA’s Constitution & By-Laws. It will prepare viewers to properly write proposed resolutions and/or amendments to CSEA’s governing documents that, if approved, may be voted on at our Annual Delegates Meeting this October.
![](https://cseany.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/MyCSEA-APP_WebsitePromoBox.jpg)
Download the Updated My CSEA smartphone app!
We’ve just launched a completely updated version of our popular My CSEA smartphone app, available for both Apple and Android devices, which keeps you even more connected to our union and provides important information about your representation and benefits. It’s all just a touch away!
![](https://cseany.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/My-Post-9.png)
Show OFF your union pride WITH A CSEA SHIRT!
Visit CSEA’s Merch Mart today to purchase shirts and hats bearing the CSEA logo which are union-made in the USA and offered through our partner Ethix Merch.
Order today and wear them with pride and show off your union colors!