Editor’s Note: Out-of-state groups continue to target CSEA members across the state with their anti-union, fraudulent messages, including trying to trick members into leaving the union.
These groups have been sending our union members content that includes false information. These scammers allude to raises and savings and promote divisive issues to get you to click a link in an email, fill out a postcard or scan a QR Code.
Once they have your information, there is no telling where or how they will use it.
These scams are sophisticated and anyone can potentially be affected by them, but CSEA members are also educating one another about the reality of these groups and how to spot a potential scam. On this page are members’ stories about their experiences with these groups and how they are staying union strong.
“I would never intentionally opt out of my union”
Caleb
BROOKLYN — When Pamela Caleb received a bill from her insurance provider, she thought it was a simple mistake.
As a CSEA member, Caleb, a developmental aide at Brooklyn Developmental Center, was accustomed to having her monthly premium automatically deducted from her bank account.
After she received a third bill, she suspected something was wrong. That’s when she called the insurance provider and got the disturbing news.
“I was told I was no longer a CSEA member,” said Caleb. “I didn’t understand, but they told me that since I had opted out of the union, they were no longer able to make automatic deductions from my bank.”
She soon discovered that she had inadvertently signed a card sent to her home by out-of-state scammers waging war against unions across the country.
“I would never intentionally opt out of my union,” said Caleb. “I always wanted to have my union.”
A quick call to CSEA’s Member Solutions Center easily remedied her conundrum. Caleb was able to rejoin our union and regain her union standing and benefits.
“It’s so deceptive to the union and members,” said Caleb. “Why would they send someone a card like that?”
Caleb cautioned members to remain vigilant of similar schemes, to never give out personal information and not to sign or mail anything to another state or organization.
“I am so happy to get back into my union,” said Caleb. “You always need a union. I was shocked and devastated over it.”
After a long civil service career, Caleb is well aware of the benefits and privileges afforded by union membership.
“I’m going to wait 25 years to opt out the union?” she asked. “I would never do that.”
— David Galarza
“I’m much more comfortable knowing I have the union to back me”
Regg
ONEONTA — When SUNY Oneonta Local President Jenn Regg was at the hospital for nine days with her son after his appendix ruptured, she wasn’t worried about her health insurance and what bills might be coming in the mail.
“Our health insurance, negotiated through our union, paid for everything,” said Regg. “We were able to focus on my son and his well-being and didn’t have to worry about anything else because we have those benefits in place.”
Regg said she’s disgusted that there are groups with the sole purpose of breaking up unions across the country.
“They’re trying to entice you to think you’re going to save some money by not being a part of the union,” said Regg. “Without our union, we wouldn’t have all of these amazing benefits, protections, and standards for our jobs.”
— Nicholas Newcomb
Anti-union groups don’t stand a chance”
OSWEGO — Out-of-state groups have been harassing CSEA members across the state with constant emails and mailers in an effort to trick workers out of their union membership.
Our union is making sure these anti-worker groups don’t succeed.
Thompson
SUNY Oswego Local President Gary Thompson, equipped with tools and information from CSEA, has been able to fight back by educating his co-workers what these groups are really about and why they want to scam our union members.
“These groups are funded by corporate-backed billionaires,” said Thompson. “They’re jealous of everything we’ve fought for and what generations before us fought for like paid time off, vacations, health insurance, and our pensions.”
Thompson compared the groups’ marketing scheme to the likes of a car insurance commercial. The mailings claim, ‘opt-out today and save $600,’ which seems tempting – until you read the fine print.
“Our union is valued much more than our dues, with all of the benefits, resources and member savings,” said Thompson. “The value of being in a union is so much more than what they claim you’ll save.”
Gonzales
SUNY Oswego Local member Gabe Gonzales, a janitor, admitted the groups’ tactics were enticing, but said nothing can compare to the comfort of knowing our union has your back.
“It’s the security of knowing that I have someone behind me in case my employer does something I don’t agree with, and I can have someone there to speak for me,” said Gonzales. “I’m a union person. I’m sticking with CSEA no matter how hard these groups try to fight.”
Gonzales isn’t the only person sticking with their union. More than 70 percent of Americans approve of unions, which is the highest approval rate in over 50 years, according to Gallup poll findings.
Gonzales has a message for anti-union groups trying to scam union members.
“You will not break us up,” said Gonzales. “We’re too strong. We enjoy our union family, and we are here to stay.”
— Nicholas Newcomb
