Page 19 - Work Force October 2021

EBF Senior Benefits Specialists a valuable resource for local government units
A look back:
An Association forms
During the early 20th century, the New York State civil service system was full of corruption
and favoritism, and many state agencies also operated without a strong central authority.
This era was also marked by people not only fighting to end such corruption
by establishing regulatory reforms, but fighting for improvements to living and working conditions.
The Progressive
Era mindset likely
extended to a group of
New York State employees in October 1910.
On Oct. 24, 1910, this group met at the state Capitol and formed an organization intended to advance the concept of merit and fitness
in the state civil service system and to improve the working
lives of state employees. The association appears to have been the first organization of its kind representing the interests of state employees.
According to an Oct. 30,
1910, Albany Knickerbocker Press article, the founders were determined to
make it one of
the strongest
such
organizations
in the
state. “The
Association of State Civil Service Employees which was formed Monday night promises to be one of the strongest organizations in the state,” the article noted.
The newspaper also reported that state workers had been considering the idea of forming the Association for months. “When the subject was broached several months ago as to the advisability of forming State civil service
employees into an association,
the question was raised as to who could be relied upon to take the initial steps to perform the arduous task of developing the plan
and perfecting the details of its
consummation...Those who were at first reluctant
to join now admit
its advantage,” the newspaper reported,
as recounted
in the January/ February 1933 State Employee magazine.
The association’s first president was
William M. Thomas, a hearing stenographer for the state Department of Law.
He served in the post until 1918. The association’s earliest
accomplishments included fighting for the establishment of New York State Public Employee Retirement System, as well as actively advocating for an overhaul of state government to establish clearer oversight and accountability. Association membership grew steadily, particularly during the Great Depression.
In 1946, the association
was renamed the Civil Service Employees Association after the
association opened membership to local government members. Westchester
County was the first local government entity to join.
As we mark our union’s 111th anniversary this year, we are still committed to the same core values that helped us form our union, including fighting for fair pay, strong benefits, retirement security and safer working conditions. While the fight continues in our second century, we are stronger than ever.
CSEA Employee Benefit Fund (EBF) regional benefits specialists serve as a liaison between the EBF and CSEA members.
Senior Benefits Specialists are a valuable
resource to local government units.
EBF Senior Benefits
Specialists assist
labor relations
specialists, local
government negotiating teams, and bargaining units during the contract negotiation process. They provide dental and vision benefit comparisons, give in-depth
presentations to CSEA officers, bargaining units and management negotiating teams and assess the appropriate rate structure and participation levels applicable
to obtaining and implementing EBF benefits.
To find out more information about how the valuable benefits offered by the EBF can help
the members in the bargaining units you are in and how to obtain them, please contact your region’s Senior Benefits Specialist. We are your benefit resource!
Long Island Region
Candace Sclafani (631) 462-5224 csclafani@cseaebf.org
Southern Region
Jordan Rider
(845) 831-1000 jhughes@cseaebf.org
Capital Region
Erin Bazinet 1-800-323-2732, ext. 860 ebazinet@cseaebf.org
Central Region
Gina Tralongo 1-800-323-2732, ext. 800 gtralongo@cseaebf.org
Western Region
Jim Aldrich 1-800-323-2732, ext. 818 jaldrich@cseaebf.org
Retiring soon?
Join the Retirees!
• Money-saving member benefits
• Representation to protect your pension and retirement benefits
• Access to insurance plans at CSEA’s low group rates
• Discounted dental and vision care programs
• Personal legal services referral network
• CSEA Retiree News
Spouses, domestic partners and retired CSEA staff are eligible to join a CSEA Retiree Local, too!
To learn more and join, visit cseany.org/retirees or call 800-342-4146
October 2021
The Work Force 19