Page 2 - Retiree News Winter 2025

CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan:
Meeting challenges in the new year
CSEA Family,
Happy New Year! I hope
everyone enjoyed the holiday season.
As we begin
2025, working
CSEA members and retirees face uncertainty in a year that will have its challenges. However, as the saying goes, with every challenge is an opportunity. 2025 will be
no different because whatever uncertainty awaits us, we will face them together as a union.
One of the greatest uncertainties we face will be the incoming
presidential administration. During his first term in office, Donald Trump’s rhetoric was often very different than the actions his administration took. Which is to say, as a union, we must face the simple reality that we are unsure of what to expect. Of course, there are differing opinions of President Trump, and we respect these differences. Yet
we can all agree that we want to ensure that retirees continue to have a secure retirement, as well as safeguard the retirement security for working members. This year, we will be vigilant and hold our elected officials accountable to protect
our guaranteed pensions, Social Security and Medicare.
Another challenge in the coming
year is a familiar one. The Freedom Foundation continues its efforts to force their propaganda on our union members. As retirees, you know the value of being members of CSEA. The challenge will be to share that knowledge with others to educate them on why those values make CSEA strong. Similarly, we need
to continue our efforts to engage new members to join our union to continue to build our power. This also means growing the retiree membership and urging anyone eligible to complete a membership application.
These challenges may seem daunting, but I see these as opportunities for retirees in 2025. As we seek to re-engage members
in the coming months, there will be a role for retirees to lend their vast knowledge and expertise. Staying vigilant against legislative attacks, pushing back against anti-union lies, and supporting new members coming to the union, along with future retirees. My expectation is for CSEA retirees to be active and involved in all of this in 2025 and beyond.
I wish you all a peaceful, healthy, and happy winter season.
In solidarity,
Mary E. Sullivan, President
extremely dedicated in her efforts to keep the CSEA Retiree Division strong. Thank you to Christine, and best of luck in the next chapter of her life!
Stay warm this winter and I hope to see you all again soon!.
Retiree Executive Committee Chair Bernadette Giambra:
HWe need to work to keep our union strong
ello! Hello! has retired? Ask them to join! Dues there is no telling how they will use Happy are $36 per year, and many retirees it; they are not above false claims, New Year are eligible to pay through monthly after all. They may also promise
to you all! In 2024,
CSEA retirees
worked hard to
keep our union
strong, including
helping grow the
membership and
helping elect candidates who stand with retirees and working people.
At our union’s Retiree Delegates Meeting, Retiree leaders also conducted important union business and gain knowledge on numerous topics.
As we enter 2025, we will need to work harder than ever to keep our union strong, not only for ourselves but for future retirees.
This year, we will continue our efforts to recruit new retirees, both those who recently retired and those who retired without joining the CSEA Retirees. We can all help grow our union. Do you have a former co-worker or friend who
2
pension deduction. For less money than a cup of coffee, they can have access to retiree meetings and many types of benefits that will save them money!
That’s not all! They will be part of our great union! CSEA fights
to keep our pensions secure and protect the retirement security that we have earned. Whether it is in court, a bargaining table or at the legislature, our union is there fighting for retirees.
It is important for our union to keep and grow our power, as there are anti-labor opponents like the Freedom Foundation who want to take everything away from us. They are continuing their attempts to scam CSEA members into leaving our union and giving up their protections. Retiree members have been contacted as well as working members.
They will try to get your personal information. Once they have it,
savings, but these promises are empty.
While CSEA members are staying union, it is important that we continue to be vigilant against any attempts to scam us.
We face these challenges while losing one of our biggest assets. Christine Meehan has recently retired as our union’s Retiree Program Specialist. For the past seven years, Christine been
In Solidarity,
Bernie
Bernadette Giambra, Chair
CSEA Retiree Executive Committee
Helpful phone numbers:
Member Solutions Center:
1-800-342-4146
Employee Benefit Fund (Dental & Vision): 1-800-323-2732
Health Benefits Department:
1-800-286-5242
Pearl Insurance: 518-640-8234
New York State and Local Retirement System: 1-866-805-0990
AFSCME: 202-429-1000
CSEA RETIREE NEWS