Page 16 - Work Force December 2023

CBTU honors CSEA leaders and activists
The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) recently honored CSEA leaders at two of the AFL-CIO constituency group’s recent events.
CBTU’S New York Chapter recently presented its Lady of Valor Award
to CSEA Statewide Treasurer Nicole Meeks. The award recognizes labor union women for outstanding service and leadership.
“I am proud of our union’s longtime partnership with CBTU
in the ongoing fight for economic, political and social justice,” said Meeks. “Union membership plays a major role in helping workers sustain a living, particularly for women and Black workers.”
Two Long Island Region activists were also recently honored at the CBTU Long Island Chapter Fall Gala.
CSEA Nassau County Clerk Unit President Audrey Hadden was recognized with the Barbara Jones Leadership Award for her leadership efforts in her unit, local and as chair of the CSEA Long Island Region Human Rights Committee.
CSEA Suffolk Area Retirees Local member Shirley Baker was one of two recipients of the CBTU Long Island Chapter Service Award, which awards community activism.
CSEA officers and staff attended the event to see their union family
recognized.
— Wendi Bowie
From left to right, CBTU Long Island Chapter President Alan Jennings, CBTU Barbara Jones Award recipient Audrey Hadden and CBTU Long Island Chapter 1st Vice President and CSEA Labor Relations Specialist Les Eason pose shortly after Hadden accepts her honor from CBTU.
Break in membership affects eligibility for union office, voting privileges
Abreak in union membership status can have long-term future implications. Your membership status affects your eligibility with respect to:
• Seeking or holding union office;
• Signing nominating petitions for
potential candidates;
• Voting in union elections, and;
• Voting on collective bargaining
contracts.
Only members “in good standing”
can participate in these activities. To be in “good standing,” your dues cannot be delinquent.
If you go on unpaid leave or for any other reason have a break in your employment status, your dues will not continue to be paid through payroll deductions. You must make arrangements to pay your dues directly to CSEA to continue your membership status. If you are either laid off or placed on leave without pay status due to becoming disabled by accident, illness, maternity or
paternity, you may be eligible for dues- free membership status for a period not to exceed one year. If you are called up for active military duty you may also apply for dues-free status.
Note, however, you must continue to pay dues to run for office. Dues-
free or gratuitous membership allows members to continue their insurance coverage while out of work. It does not protect your right to run for or hold office. This does not apply to members who are on leave due to being
called up for military duty, who are considered to have had continuous membership status for election purposes.
Please notify the CSEA Membership Department at 1-800-342-4146, of
any change in your status and to make arrangements to continue
direct payment of your dues so as to maintain your status as “a member in good standing.”
Front row, from left to right, Suffolk Area Retirees Local Treasurer Rutha Bush, CBTU Long Island Chapter Service Award recipients Suffolk Area Retirees Local member Shirley Baker and Indiana Bumpers. In back row is CBTU Long Island Chapter President Alan Jennings.
16 The Work Force
December 2023
CSEA Statewide Treasurer Nicole Meeks poses with the Lady of Valor Award.