Page 2 - Retiree News Spring 2022

Retiree Executive Committee Chair Bernie HGiambra: We’re open and want to see you!
ello, Hello! Local. She gave her heart and soul Welcome to her fellow retirees in the Buffalo/ Back! Our Niagara area and this union as a
CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan:
The challenge of keeping our
Retirees strong
Our union depends on our retiree
membership
to keep us
strong. Retiree
members are
sometimes
those who were
most active in
CSEA when they were working, and many continue to be active in our union, taking advantage of their available time to advocate for themselves and on behalf of our working members as well.
Retirees understand that we are all in this together, whether you’re employed or retired. Our union is based on strength in numbers, and that strength is only amplified when retired union members get active in union causes.
It’s so important that we take responsibility for growing our Retiree Division. If we truly care about making sure our elected decision-makers are hearing our voices and acting on our issues, then we all have a role to play in building our union.
We all have a vested interest in protecting our pensions, boosting our COLAs, maintaining Social Security benefits, keeping our public services provided by
dedicated CSEA members, and so much more.
Many public workers are not aware that they can join our union, or continue to be CSEA members in the Retiree Division. That’s usually because no one tells them, or asks them to join. We must do more to get the word out.
If we really want to be successful in strengthening our union, we all must take a more active role in recruiting members. If you know of someone who recently retired from government service, anyone who gets a check from the NYS Pension System, no matter what union they were in before, they are eligible to join the CSEA Retirees.
As you know, CSEA Locals and Units in the employed Divisions can and should pay the first year dues of their retiring members... and many do. We have to encourage more to do so.
Thank you for your membership, and for helping grow our ranks!
In Solidarity,
doors are wide
open. We are so
excited to see
you all, as I hope
you are to see us
now in person
over a cup of coffee or meal, telling our tales and going over all that has been happening.
Expect your letter, email and or phone call announcing your next meeting, breakfast, lunch and or picnic. Please bring your spouse
or partner and let us sign them
up so that they can get all the benefits you get, plus now they can participate on their own. Call your friends who may have just retired, and bring your fellow work retirees who rely on you to give them the scoop and let us sign them up.
Our goal is to protect all retirees and safeguard their benefits. We have strength in numbers, and all who are affected should have their own voice and be heard. So, we not only want to see you, but we need you to join us and make our retiree union stronger than ever.
I was so sorry to hear of Barb Biniecki’s passing. As many of
you know, she was a force to
be reckoned with in CSEA, not only through her many years as President of Local 903 but as an activist at the union’s former West Seneca Developmental Center
whole. She was never shy about telling you what needed to be done. It was a privilege to know her and we will miss her.
Primaries are coming up in both New York and Florida. If you can, take advantage of early voting, vote by absentee or hope for good weather and get in line so your vote counts!
I know we may have some discourse on what’s happening in the political arena, but we have not woken up to tanks coming down our streets, nor have we waited at train stations clutching our luggage and cat to get out of danger, as people in Ukraine are facing. May we keep vigilant, and send out positive thoughts and prayers to all who serve in country and abroad.
While COVID cases have declined this spring, it hasn’t disappeared. I want us all to stay safe, so still have a spare mask with you if needed, use social distancing in public settings and follow your local directives.
Plant a tomato and some herbs either in your gardens or in pots, and enjoy the good weather that is coming! As Audrey Hepburn said, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”
In Solidarity,
Bernie
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CSEA RETIREE NEWS