Page 2 - Retiree News Summer 2021

Retiree Executive Committee Chair Millie Lucas:
Our involvement key to our retirement security
Sisters and Brothers:
First of all, I
would like to
congratulate
all of the new
CSEA Retiree Local
and Unit officers.
Whether you are stepping up in a leadership role for the first time or you are a veteran officer, your involvement in our union makes a huge difference.
You may wonder why your involvement is so important; after all, we are retired from our jobs. By all accounts, we have also earned the right to focus on our loved ones and personal interests.
As you know, it’s not that easy. When it comes time to balance a difficult budget, it could be far too easy for elected leaders — in some cases, our former employers — to do so on the backs of retirees.
While we worked, we earned
our pensions, Social Security, health care and other benefits that help us have a dignified, secure retirement. Remember the word ‘earned.’ Our pensions, Social Security and health care are not
a present from our employers.
We earned every bit of it and it is important for us to hold our former employers and other elected leaders accountable.
As we often say here at CSEA, there is strength in numbers. One person can make a difference, but working together, we can move mountains.
Together, we can hold our elected leaders accountable by contacting them to let them know our concerns and urge them to show support for retired and working people. Recently, several members of our Retiree Executive Committee, along with our AFSCME retiree sisters and brothers,
met with our Congressional representatives to discuss our concerns about high prescription
drug prices.
CSEA Retiree members also
played a key role, along with our working sisters and brothers, in urging elected leaders to support funding essential public services that so many of us rely on and that our working union members provide.
In this publication, we have also discussed many cases of former employers attempting to balance their own budgets by cutting our retirement security.
In each of these cases, CSEA has fought back. We have been able
to do so — mostly successfully, because we have a strong
union complete with resources that include in-house legal and legislative and political action departments who are fighting for us. Our staff who negotiate — and help manage — contracts are also looking out for our best interests as well as that of future retirees. Our union’s Member Benefits Department also looks out for us by securing member-only benefits that save us money.
Even with these incredible resources, we can’t do it without union members. Do you know of any CSEA members who recently retired? Urge them to stay involved in our union by joining a Retiree Local — we have 21 Locals across New York and three in Florida. Please urge them to visit our website at https://cseany.org/ retirees to learn more or call CSEA Headquarters at (800) 342-4146, ext. 1220, or your CSEA region office to learn more. Our Retiree Local officers will also be working to grow our membership.
Please remember — to have a secure retirement, we have to have a strong union. We need you!
In solidarity,
Millie
CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan:
Thank you for your service
Sisters and Brothers:
First, I’d
like to
thank
those who
chose not
to seek
re-election.
I hope you are proud of your service to your fellow members, and I want you to know it was appreciated.
Next, I’d like to thank those who stepped up to run for office to succeed them. As a member- run union, our union only functions well when members become more involved and give of their time and energy to lead our union. Your service moving forward is much appreciated.
Third, I’d like to thank our continuing officers. I know that as retirees, you don’t have to serve our union; you choose to, and I am very grateful you made that choice.
For all who currently hold office, I want you to know we
are offering required officer trainings that will help you be
a better union officer, whether you’re brand new or a seasoned pro. These trainings will be offered in a virtual format for the foreseeable future. Eventually,
we may hold additional in-person trainings. To register, please
visit https://cseany.org/officer- trainings for a list of upcoming officer trainings.
I’d remind all Retiree officers that we have many resources available, and they can all
be accessed by contacting Retiree Program Specialist Christine Meehan at our Albany headquarters, 518-257-1220 or christine.meehan@cseainc.org. Christine is your primary point of contact for getting your questions answered, putting
you in touch with available benefit providers, and keeping you connected to the rest of
our union. If you don’t already, please get to know her and keep in touch with her. Share with her your union news and invite her to your union meetings.
Now that summer has arrived, I hope that everyone is enjoying the nicer weather, and is continuing to stay safe.
As always, if I can assist you in any way, please feel free to contact me.
In solidarity,
Mary E. Sullivan, President
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2 CSEA RETIREE NEWS