Page 17 - Work Force February 2020

Summary of January Board of Directors Meeting
Editor’s Note:
The Work Force publishes a summary of actions taken by CSEA’s Board of Directors. The summary
is prepared by Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley for union members.
• Approved the Field Staff Association (FSA) tentative agreement, effective Oct. 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2023.
• Approved the Directors Budget Committee report and the amended budget for Fiscal Year 2020.
• Approved the amended member
Berkley resignation policy.
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•
•
Approved CSEA Central Region 5 to enter into a contract
for their Fall Conference, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Binghamton, September 10-13, 2020.
creation of the following positions: Labor Education Specialist (E-Learning) (1), Member Relations Associate
(2), Manager, Data and Program Analytics, (1), Internal Auditor (2) and Member Solutions Specialist (Call Center, Spanish-Speaking)
ALBANY — CSEA’s statewide Board • of Directors met on Jan. 16, 2020. In
official business, the board: •
• Approved the CSEA Lawyer’s Union (CLU) tentative agreement, effective Oct. 1, 2019 through Sept. 30, 2023.
Approved 2020 maximum miscellaneous allowances.
Approved CSEA Central Region 5 to enter into a contract for their Spring Conference, at the Crowne Plaza, Lake Placid, May 28-30, 2020.
Local 610; William Drake, Local 507; Kathy Rodriguez, Local 836; Anthony Savastano, Local 860, and John Wagner Jr., Local 853 (Southern Region 3); and Stephen Rapp, Local 826 (Western Region 6).
Approved the Personnel Committee’s proposals for
• Approved the report of the Standing Legal Committee.
Questions concerning the summary should be directed to Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley, CSEA Headquarters, 143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210 (800) 342-4146 ext. 1253 or (518) 257-1253.
Confirmed the appointments
to the Region Political Action
Committees of: Fred DeStefano, (1).
EBF enhances several vision plans
The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund is pleased to announce that several of the EBF vision plans were enhanced to better serve CSEA members.
EBF is proud to provide vision benefits for CSEA members at the state and local government level. Check with your employer, refer to your contract or visit cseaebf.com and use our Benefit Search Tool to find out exactly what benefits you may be eligible for.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2020, standard progressive addition lenses are now available under
the Silver 12, Gold 12 and Solstice Vision Plans with no extra cost to the member. Previously, there was
a $50 co-payment for these lenses. These lenses provide continuous progression of lens powers between multifocal lenses. This allows the lenses to facilitate all viewing distances without the visible line of bifocal or trifocal lenses. Premium, Ultra and Ultimate progressive lenses will continue to be offered for a fixed co-pay resulting in substantial out-of-pocket savings off the retail cost of these lenses.
In addition, participants using the Solstice, Silver 12, Gold 12, Platinum 12 and New York State plans will have an increased allowance at participating providers if eyeglass frames that are not part of the plan selection are chosen. As of Jan. 1, 2020, that allowance will increase from $30 to $75.
“The EBF is always trying to find ways to enhance the benefits for our members,” said EBF Director Bill Howard. “This is just another step toward improving the health of our members.”
Kevin Kelley, East Greenbush School District Unit President said, “We recently concluded contract negotiations and thanks to the efforts of the CSEA Labor Relations Specialist and EBF staff, were finally able to obtain eye glass coverage through the EBF.”
This unit has had the EBF’s Sunrise dental plan in place for years and began vision coverage with the EBF on October 1, 2019. “The Gold 12 Vision Plan we negotiated is very affordable even with a contribution as per our agreement. The benefits far outweigh the contribution especially with these new upgrades.
My members love this valuable benefit,” says Kelley.
For questions about your vision benefits, call the EBF at 800- 323-2732 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
You can also access our Live Chat feature on a computer or mobile device by visiting our website.
Whatever EBF vision plan you have, these tips will help you get the most value out of your plan:
• Use a provider — find one you are comfortable with.
• Try to stay within the frame and lens collection.
• Politely inform the provider you would like to try to stay within the plan limitations.
• Recommendations for enhanced lenses and coatings are not mandatory — they are just recommendations.
• Bring your plan booklet with you or pull it up on your phone — refer to the fixed co-payments if you are planning on upgrading your lenses or lens coatings.
• Browse for frames before your date of service if it takes a while for you to decide. Remember, your glasses have to be ordered the same date as your exam. Materials not ordered on the same date as the exam will not be covered.
February 2020 The Work Force 17