Page 5 - Work Force October 2024

Reardon makes Labor Day visit to Storm King
MOUNTAINVILLE — Recognizing the momentum in cultural worker organizing, New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon spent her Labor Day on a tour of Storm King Art Center guided by the newly-organized CSEA members there.
Reardon reached out to members of our union’s Storm King Art Center Local to arrange a visit after learning the group recently finalized its first contracts following eight months of negotiations.
“We came out here to celebrate the 130th anniversary of America’s Labor Day,” Reardon said after concluding her tour of the 500-acre outdoor sculpture park. “It’s a great example of the kinds of workers that need a voice at work.”
A former actor who previously served as president of AFTRA and co-president of SAG-AFTRA following the two unions’ merger, Reardon
noted the value in organizing cultural workers who haven’t historically been compensated for the full value of their labor.
CSEA activists Bam Bowen, a team services lead, and Adela Goldsmith, a curatorial assistant, took the lead on accompanying Reardon and
her staff on the tour. Bowen and Goldsmith said they appreciated Reardon shining a light on the need to advocate for unions for all.
“It was an honor to welcome Commissioner Reardon to Storm King Art Center, give her a tour,
and introduce her to our recently unionized staff,” said Bowen. “Having someone at the state level who has personally experienced the joy and impact of a union makes her support even meaningful, and I am deeply grateful for her visit.”
— Jessica Ladlee
CSEA active at NYS AFL-CIO convention
New York State AFL-CIO Executive Council members CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan, seated; standing, from left, CSEA Southern Region President Anthony Adamo
and CSEA Metropolitan Region President Lester Crockett, take an oath at the start of the state federation’s Constitutional Convention in late August. Over two days, our union officers and activists, along with other NYS AFL-CIO members, completed the important work of the state federation. (Photo courtesy of CSEA Executive Vice President Ron Briggs.)
CSEA at the New York State Fair!
Above, Storm King Art Center activists Bam Bowen, left, and Adela Goldsmith, right, take New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon, center, on a tour of the art center. Bowen works as a team lead in SKAC's Visitor Services Department, while Goldsmith is a curatorial assistant.
From left, CSEA SUNY Oswego Local Treasurer Colleen Dewine, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and state Workers' Compensation Board Local President Michele Kiuber pose at our union's booth at the New York State Fair. (Photo/NYS Comptrollers Office)
Anthem negotiations with Memorial Sloan Kettering
We have recently learned that the Empire Plan’s hospital program administrator, Anthem Blue Cross, is re-negotiating its provider network contract with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).
Although the current agreement with MSK expires at the end of this year, Memorial Sloan Kettering
Cancer Center will remain in Anthem’s network until at least March 1, 2025.
Anthem has advised they are committed to providing Empire Plan participants with quality services at affordable rates. One way this is accomplished is through negotiating competitive contracts and reimbursement rates with
participating hospitals. Negotiations to extend MSK’s
network contract for 2025 and beyond continue and Anthem remains confident that an agreement will be reached before the current contract ends.
Should an agreement not be reached, MSK will no longer be participating in Anthem’s network
effective March 1, 2025.
If you or a family member are
currently receiving care at MSK, there are no immediate changes to your health plan.
For the latest updates on
the ongoing negotiations between Anthem and MSK, visit Anthem’s Empire Plan website at anthembluecross.com/nys.
October 2024
The Work Force 5