Retiree News Spring 2022

R
cseany.org
Mary E. Sullivan, President
etiree etiree
NEWS SPRING 2022
As in-person meetings
resume, focus turns to
recruitment
After two years of virtual meetings and few in-person events due to COVID-19, CSEA members are once again able to resume in-person meetings and events.
As this edition went to press, COVID numbers have generally remained low in many states across the country, including New York and Florida.
“The time has come to start holding in person events,”
CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan said. “We have been away from each other for far too long. We realize that not everyone will be comfortable with that, so we are urging CSEA region, local and unit leaders to please do what you can to accommodate those members.”
For CSEA Retiree Locals, many of which have not held in-person membership events since the pandemic started affecting the United States in March 2020, the news is especially happy.
Retiree Locals across New York and Florida are holding meetings, luncheons, drive-thru events and picnics in the coming months. Some locals will offer virtual attendance options for members who are unable to or uncomfortable with attending an event in person.
CSEA members are urged to continue to follow all U.S. Centers
Join us!
Retiree spouses and domestic partners and retired CSEA staff can now join a CSEA Retiree Local! To learn more or join, visit cseany. org/csea-retiree-members to download a membership application or
call CSEA Headquarters at (800) 342-4146.
From left, Syracuse Area Retirees Local 913 members Diane Quinn- Miller, Jeanne Sullivan, Zona Pospesel and Bruno Cafolla at a local membership meeting.
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and any local guidelines that are in place.
Recruiting new members
While our union is happy to see our Retiree members at events once again, we would also like to see more members.
Like currently-working CSEA members, Retiree activists are working hard to bring in more members. Retiree Local officers are continuing to support and recruit new members, including by attending working local and unit membership meetings and reaching out to members who are considering or planning to retire soon.
It’s crucial that we get a chance to sign up CSEA members as they retire, so we can all remain union strong and in the know.
Why are we looking for more members? It’s simple — the more members we have, the more power we have! It’s important to show that even after retirement, CSEA members are strong and will fight for secure retirements for ourselves and for future retirees.
As you know, CSEA is one of the few unions that not only offer membership to retirees, but offer numerous resources to help you have a more secure retirement. We offer resources such as
money-saving benefits and great supplemental insurance, and we’re happy to stand up and fight for you whenever you need it.
That’s right — we not only have great legal benefits, but CSEA’s in-house Legal Department will
go to court to fight to ensure that your former employers and elected leaders don’t balance their budgets on your backs. You worked for years to earn a strong, defined benefit pension, and our union will fight to make sure that they stay guaranteed and secure.
We even make paying the dues easy for members who receive a New York State Retirement System
pension by deducting $3 each month.
Another thing to remember? CSEA Retiree Locals don’t just welcome newly retired CSEA members, but also spouses and domestic partners, who can also become members. Membership is also open to retired CSEA staff, many of whom have formed close working relationships with members over their own years of work.
As CSEA Retiree members, you are key to our union. Spread the word to your spouses, domestic partners and eligible former co- workers. We can’t wait to see you!