Page 12 - Work Force October 2018

Proposed amendments to
CSEA’s Constitution and By-Laws
The Committee has, amongst its functions, the duty to review proposals and make recommendations to the Delegates regarding amendments to the
CSEA Constitution and By-Laws. Committee recommendations are presented to the Delegates, together with the reasons for the recommendations. This report addresses proposals submitted for the 2018 Delegates Meeting. (New language is underlined; deleted language is [lined out and in brackets].)
*******
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE BEING PRESENTED TO THE DELEGATES BY THE COMMITTEE AS PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE STATEWIDE CONSTITUTION. PRESENTATION TO THE DELEGATES AT THIS MEETING CONSTITUTES A SECOND READING OF THESE AMENDMENTS, HAVING PASSED THEIR FIRST READING IN 2016.
Proposal 1
The following Constitution proposal was submitted by Judy Richards as Chairperson of the Retiree Executive Committee.
ARTICLE III. Membership
Sections 1 & 2. Text Remains the Same.
Section 3. RETIRED MEMBERS. Any person who, while actively employed, was a member or an associate member and who has retired from active employment may elect to become a retired member
or who receives a retirement allowance from the New York State and Local Employees Retirement System
or the New York State Policemen’s and Firemen’s Retirement System shall be eligible to become a retired member. Retired members shall have none of the rights or privileges of membership except that they shall be eligible to the extent the insurance program permits for participation in insurance programs sponsored by CSEA, and they shall be eligible for membership in Retired Member Locals and such
other rights and privileges approved by the Board of Directors.
Retired employees of CSEA, Inc. who do not receive a pension from the New York State and Local Employees Retirement System or the New York State Policemen’s and Firemen’s Retirement System shall be eligible to become retired members.
EXPLANATION: This proposal was submitted with the following justification:
“Retired employees of CSEA, Inc. have experience and expertise in dealing with matters important to retirees. Their knowledge, skills and abilities would
be invaluable in helping the Retiree Division deal with the issues and challenges it confronts. Moreover, their dedication and loyalty to CSEA is proven. As members, they would be a great asset and their inclusion would enhance the value and stature of the CSEA Retiree Division.”
The Committee supports this proposal for the reasons set forth in the explanation of the proposer. Currently, retired CSEA employees who are also former public employees of the State or one of its
subdivisions, and therefore receive a pension from
the New York State and Local Employees Retirement System or Policemen’s and Firemen’s Retirement System, are eligible for membership. But retired CSEA staff members who do not receive a New York State public pension are not eligible. This amendment would allow retired CSEA employees to become members
of the Retiree Division whether or not they receive a pension from the New York State and Local Employees Retirement System or the New York State Policemen’s and Firemen’s Retirement System.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLACING THIS AMENDMENT BEFORE THE DELEGATES, ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE, I MOVE THE ADOPTION OF THIS AMENDMENT. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS A “YES” VOTE.
Proposal 2
The following Constitution proposal was submitted by Judy Richards as Chairperson of the Retiree Executive Committee.
ARTICLE III. Membership
Sections 1 & 2. Text Remains the Same.
Section 3. RETIRED MEMBERS. Any person who, while actively employed, was a member or an associate member and who has retired from active employment may elect to become a retired member
or who receives a retirement allowance from the New York State and Local Employees Retirement System
or the New York State Policemen’s and Firemen’s Retirement System shall be eligible to become a retired member. Retired members shall have none of the rights or privileges of membership except that they shall be eligible to the extent the insurance program permits for participation in insurance programs sponsored by CSEA, and they shall be eligible for membership in Retired Member Locals and such
other rights and privileges approved by the Board of Directors.
Spouses and domestic partners of current retiree members who were never members of CSEA themselves and were never connected with a place of work for which CSEA was the bargaining agent and do not receive a public employment allowance shall be eligible to become retired members.
EXPLANATION: This proposal was submitted with the following justification:
“Currently, spouses and domestic partners of CSEA retiree members can join once the member dies if they continue to receive the public pension benefit of their deceased spouse or domestic partner. If they can join once the member dies, they should be able to join when the member is alive. They shouldn’t have to wait until they are widowed and eligibility should not hinge on whether or not they receive a public retirement allowance. These individuals have a strong bond with the CSEA Retiree Division.”
“They attend the meetings of their respective Locals, participate in the discussions, know the issues being addressed and regularly volunteer their services.
Their active involvement, support and interest as well as their legal status as the spouse or domestic partner of the retiree member should afford them the right to membership.”
The Committee supports this proposal for the reasons set forth in the explanation of the proposer.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLACING THIS AMENDMENT BEFORE THE DELEGATES, ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE, I MOVE THE ADOPTION OF THIS AMENDMENT. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS A “YES” VOTE.
*******
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE BEING PRESENTED TO THE DELEGATES BY THE COMMITTEE AS PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS. IF PASSED AT THIS MEETING, THESE AMENDMENTS WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
Proposal 3
The following By-Laws proposal was submitted by James Jackson of Local 838, Donald Lynskey of Local 334, and Betty Jo Johnson of Local 827 (Region 5 Constitution and By-Laws Committee):
(Add new Article III after Article II)
ARTICLE III – Social Media
Section 1. All Unit or Local social media pages
or websites must be approved by the CSEA communications director or his/her designee, and include the Region Communications Associate as an administrator.
Section 2. No CSEA logo or banner should be used as a “cover photo” unless on a designated CSEA Unit, Local or Region Facebook page or website, as approved by the CSEA communications director or his/her designee, and shall not be displayed on any campaign page/web site.
Section 3. No Unit, Local or Regional Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, lnstagram, Websites, etc.) shall be used to promote political candidates not endorsed by CSEA or undermine those that are endorsed by CSEA.
(Renumber subsequent Articles)
ARTICLE [III] IV – Statewide Elections ARTICLE [IV] V – Finance
ARTICLE [V] VI – Judicial Board ARTICLE [VI] VII – Committees ARTICLE [VII] VIII
EXPLANATION: This proposal was submitted with the following justification:
“Section 1. With the proliferation of social media pages on Facebook and other platforms, problems have arisen around the state where an existing site
run by an officer that loses an election still maintains control of the local/unit site. By making the region communications associate an administrator on the social media page or web site, he/she can approve
the initial creation of the page/site and there can be control during periods of transition from other than the local/unit members. This will help ensure a smooth
Continued on page 13.
12 The Work Force
October 2018