Page 2 - Retiree News Summer 2022

Retiree Executive Committee Chair Bernie Giambra: Retirees keep our union strong
CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan: The dedication and commitment of our Retirees
Irecently learned that three of our
retirees; Leslie Briscoe and Linda Stiefel of Local 902 and Sheila Sears
of Local 914
volunteered to
join other volunteers from across the country for AFSCME’s push
to organize in San Antonio, Texas. Hearing this news got me thinking about the tireless commitment and selflessness that our members and even more significantly, our retiree members demonstrate on
a continuous basis.
Our three CSEA retirees engaged in a two-part blitz, first
to get workers in Texas to join AFSCME and second, to have them sign petitions for AFSCME to keep seats on the labor-management committee. Since Texas is a right- to-work state, employees in their state workforce don’t have the same bargaining rights that many of our sisters and brothers here have. CSEA retirees participated in worksite visits and made house calls during one of the hottest summers on record.
They demonstrate the values
of our union and their pride in the union difference both here in New York State and across the country. When the call is put out, CSEA retirees are there to answer. For that, I am extremely grateful and very proud.
In late August, we will hold our 33rd Retiree Delegates Meeting (RDM) at the Desmond Crowne Plaza in Albany. This will be our first in-person RDM in over four years. We plan to have a good
representation of our retirees in attendance, 15+ member benefit vendors, give out achievement awards and hold several workshops and presentations. It will be great to see everyone in person after such a long time.
As we conclude summer
of 2022, we will be at the New York State Fair from August
24 - September 4 in Syracuse
N.Y. CSEA members will also participate in the Labor Day parades in Rochester and Buffalo (Region 6) on September 5, in Albany (Region 4) on September
9 and in New York City (Regions
1, 2 and 3) on September 10. We look forward to seeing our retiree members visit our State Fair booth, and march in or watch the parades. And finally, this fall, the 112th Annual Delegates Meeting (ADM) will be held Oct. 24-Oct.
28 at the Sheraton Times Square in New York City, where retiree representatives will be on hand as we conduct our union’s business.
As you are aware, part of our union’s strength is our population and participation. If you are aware of any friend, family member or former colleague who will receive a pension from New York State, they are eligible to become a CSEA Retiree member.
Thank you for your membership! Stay safe and healthy!
In Solidarity,
Hello, Hello! Welcome to summer!
For those of you
who had recent
Retiree Local
meetings, picnics
luncheons or
other event, I
hope that you were able to attend.
It’s always gratifying to chat with your fellow retired co-workers. Hopefully, these meetings will give you a chance to make new friends.
We hope you were able to catch up on current events or trends that may impact us as retirees, hearing what’s happening in your area and state. Knowledge is power, and we must share it to be effective leaders. Whether you are elected to a CSEA Retiree Local office or faithfully attend Retiree events, do not ever think you are not a leader.
Aren’t you the one who your friends call to get the scoop? Next time that happens, share with them information that you may learn at CSEA meetings, which may include the newest scam affecting seniors, new union benefits, reminders about election primaries and the importance of voting.
We are strong, so we must stand up for what we believe in, as well as stand up for each other. We
do not go quietly into that good night. We not only speak up, but we make phone calls, write letters to the editors and post to Facebook and Instagram. We volunteer
and participate at our schools, community centers and religious
centers. We make sure our voices are heard. Even though we are retired, we are union.
Our union was in the room for
the 2022 AFSCME International Convention held in July at Philadelphia. CSEA participated in AFSCME’s Retiree Council meeting, held on the convention site. CSEA Retiree Executive Committee (REC) Vice Chair Kathleen Zabinski and REC Secretary Joan Bender attended and represented CSEA Retiree members’ interests.
AFSCME’s top priorities include ensuring state and local pensions stay funded, keeping Social Security and Medicare strong, and working to lower health care costs, including prescription drug prices.
We recently learned about
the passing of former AFSCME International President Gerald McEntee. He was vocal, funny, charismatic and loud. He made the union voice heard at every table where union decisions were made. We will miss him.
Did you know CSEA has webinars available to members? One of the newer ones is a training course in active shooter situations. Check it out for you & your family. One tip that I learned is to always remember to be situationally aware when in line at a bank or store; look up and around and not at your phone.
Enjoy your summer and see you soon!
In Solidarity,
Bernie
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CSEA RETIREE NEWS
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