STRONGER

T O G E T H E RLocal 2001

CSEA NEWSThe Voice of Connecticut’s Public Service Employees & Retirees

VOL. 48, NO. 9CSEA SEIU Local 2001September, 2015

Postmaster: Please forward address changes to:

CSEA, 760 CAPITOL AVE., HARTFORD, CT 06106

Visit Our Union’s Website at www.CSEA-CT.com

CJTS/Pueblo Workers: “We Are Not Political Footballs.

Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association

Letter From CSEA PresidentStephen Anderson on P-4

This fall, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case which has the potential to be one of the most damaging rulings to organized labor in the United States. The case, known as Friedrichs v. California Teach-ers Association is an attempt designed by anti-labor organizations to weaken the power of working people by attacking the “fair-share fees” charged to non-members of a bargaining unit to cover the costs of ad-ministering their contract.

Last month, the hard-fought battle with UPSEU over the future of our P-4 Council came to an abrupt end when UPSEU failed to garner enough member support for an election. Needless to say, many of us are relieved that we can now move forward with our contract negotia-tions instead of focusing on an ugly struggle in a unit that has played such an important role in CSEA’s history.

New Britain, CT, Oct. 1, 2015 – Front-line employees at the Con-necticut Juvenile Training School and Pueblo Unit in Middletown stood together to share their daily successes and frustrations, and remind the public that col-lectively, they have had an ex-traordinarily positive influence on troubled youth.CJTS/Pueblo workers said the politicized nature of restraint

videos recently released by the Office of the Child Advocate has unfairly inflamed public opinion to the detriment of the facility’s mis-sion, its employees and the youth population.Said Suzanne Borner, a CJTS teacher and members of CSEA/SEUI Local 2001:“The youth here on our beautiful campus are offered a comprehen-sive array of critical and rehabilita-

tive services they will not receive at Connecticut’s one and only youth prison, Manson Youth Insti-tute. But Manson will be precisely where many of our residents will end up if CJTS and its services are shut down.”“The fact remains that our resi-dents are troubled young people who desperately need compas-sion, respect, guidance and as-sistance. We are the ones who

provide that,” added Peter Maylor, another youth service officer and member of AFSCME Local 2663.CJTS workers handed out a fact sheet listing many of the success-es and accomplishments they have seen, and helped to facilitate, over the years. Said George Register, a youth service officer and member of AFSCME Local 2663:“We are striving to do the best we can. We’ve made enormous

Continued on Page 6

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CSEA’s Paula Dillion, AFSCME members Peter Maylor and George Register, and CSEA member Suzanne Borner talk to the media at a press event organized by CSEA and AFSCME

Page 2CSEA NEWS

October/November Meetings & Events

COUNCIL 400 DELEGATES: Thursday, November 12, 10:00 AM, Due to construction at CSEA, this month’s meeting will be held at the William Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield st. Wethersfield. Contact: Retiree Coordinator Hollis Block at (800) 894-9479.

CHAPTER 401 (Hartford area): Thursday, November 5. 12:15 Brunch, Meeting at 1pmCSEA, 760 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CTTom Corrigan 860-674-8221

CHAPTER 402 (Danbury area): Wednesday, Nov 11, 10:00 AM, United Methodist Church, 5 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury. Speaker: TBDContact: President Dawn Gallagher at (203) 748-2018.

CHAPTER 403 (Norwich area): Tuesday, Nov 10, 1:30 PMRose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Dr., Norwich. Planning Speakers For Upcoming year For more information call President Carol Burgess at 860-859-3641

CHAPTER 404 (Waterbury area): Thursday, Nov 12, 2:00 PM, Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, 1075 Chase Parkway (exit 17 off I-84), Waterbury. Speaker: TBDContact: President Ron Chasse at (860) 945-0768.

CHAPTER 405 (New Haven area): Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1:00 PM, Energize CT, 120A Universal Drive, North Haven Speakers: TBD Andy Gambardella at (203) 468-7376. CHAPTER 406 (Middletown area):Tuesday, Nov. 10, Noon American Legion Post 75, 58 Bernie O’Rourke Dr., Middletown. Contact: President Joe Formica at (860) 347-4532.

CHAPTER 407 (Bridgeport area): Wednesday, Nov 18, 12:30 PM Social St. Joseph’s of Stratford National Catholic Church, 1300 Stratford Rd., Stratford (on Rt. 113 toward Sikorsky Airport). Speaker: TBD Contact: President Carol Donofrio at (203) 888-2920.

CHAPTER 408 (Willimantic area): Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1:00 PM, Baptist Church, 945 Storrs Rd, Storrs CT. Speaker: TBD Contact: President Betty Gardner at 860-456-1480

CHAPTER 410 (Windsor Locks area):Monday, November 9, 1:00PM Suffield Senior Center, 145 Bridge St, Suffield. Speaker: Cynthia Del Favero, Choices Regional Coordinator, North Central Area on Aging Contact President Amelia Smith 860-687-1848

CHAPTER 411 (Rocky Hill area): Thursday, Nov 12, 1:00 PM, William J. Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St., Wethersfield. Contact: President Sebastian Puglisi at (860) 529-8336. CHAPTER 412 (Putnam area): Tuesday, Nov 17, 1:30 PM, Congregational Church of Putnam, 175 Main St, PutnamSpeaker: TBD Contact: President Don Gladding at (860) 564-9092.

CHAPTER 414 (Torrington area): Monday, Nov. 16 , 10-11 am Torrington UConn Campus Extension Building. University Drive,TorringtonSpeaker: TBDContact President Karen Pineman 860-354-6727

CHAPTER 415 (Manchester area): Monday, October 26, 1:00 PM, Monday, November 23, 1:00 PM Elks Lodge, 33 Bissell St. Manchester. Contact: Dorothy Tomlinson at 860-647-1216

CHAPTER 416 (New London area): Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1:00 PM, Waterford Public Library, Speaker: Commissioner on Aging, Betsy Ritter Contact Les Shapiro at 860-442-5256

CHAPTER 417 (Plainville area): Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1:00 PM, Church of Our Savior Episcopal Church, 115 West Main St., Plainville. Speaker: TBDContact: President Cathy Toscano at (860) 845-2927. CHAPTER 418 (4Cs): Tuesday, Nov. 12, 10:00 AM, 4Cs, 907 Wethersfield Ave, Hartford Contact: President Bill Searle at (860) 745-3692.

CHAPTER 421 (Central/North FL): Meeting Wednesday, Nov. 18, 11:30 AM, Golden Corral, 907 Taylor Rd, Port Orange, FL 32127 Contact: President Pat Albert 386-615-6805

CHAPTER 431 (Coastal Carolina area), Tuesday, October 20, 2015 (11:30 a.m. meeting, lunch follows at 12:15 PM), The Golden Corral at 868 Oak Forest Lane, Myrtle Beach, SC. Cost: $12 (includes lunch, tax, gratuity). Reservation deadline: October 10 (mail payment, payable to “Lyle Chichester, Chapter 431 Treasurer,” to 209 Chestnut Springs Way, Williamston, SC 29697) Contact: Treasurer Lyle Chichester at (864) 328-9419.

CSEA Parking Lot Update

1. The work on our parking lot will not be completed until this winter at the earliest. They will be covering the bridge girders, sandblasting the steel girders under the bridge and repainting them. They will also be replacing the portion of the girders that rests on the concrete support with a material that absorbs the road vibration better than the steel that rests on them now. The structural engineers believe that the road vibration on the steel is causing the concrete supports to deteriorate much more quickly than they should

2. The DOT will be cutting a gateway in the chain-link fence between the Forest Street lot and our parking lot. It will be open in the daytime and locked at night. This will shorten the walk from Forest St to our building.

Page 3CSEA NEWS

USPS # 224-100 ISSN # 0273-6055Published Monthly by

CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATIONLocal 2001, Service Employees International Union, CTW, CLC

INSERTION DEADLINE: 1st of prior month.

MAILING ADDRESS: CSEA/SEIU Local 2001, 760 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106; PHONES: (860) 951-6614, toll-free: (800) 894-9479, FAX: (860) 951-3526; INTERNET: www.csea-ct.com.

“CSEA NEWS” (USPS 224-100, ISSN 0273-6055) is published monthly for $2.80 per year members, $5.00 per year non-members, by CSEA/SEIU Local 2001, 760 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106-1263. Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, CT. Postmaster: Send address changes to “CSEA NEWS,” 760 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106-1263.

CSEA NEWSThe Voice of Connecticut’s Public Service Employees & Retirees

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T O G E T H E RLocal 2001

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Annual Dividend Rate Percentage Yield

REGULAR SHARES 0.65% 0.65%SHARE DRAFTS (Checking) 0.25% 0.25%CLUB ACCOUNTS 0.40% 0.40%

Minimum opening balance $25.00. The annual percentage yield is accurate as of the last dividend declaration date. Rate may change after the account is opened. Fees or other conditions may reduce the earnings on the account.

Dividend Rates - Third Quarter 2015

7 Full Service Offices To Serve You

Visit Our Website: www.CSECreditUnion.com

NORWICHUncas on Thames

401 West Thames St.Norwich, CT 06306

(860) 889-7378

MIDDLETOWNP.O. Box 2485

Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 347-0479

HARTFORD84 Wadsworth St.

Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 522-5388 (Savings) (860) 522-7147 (Loans)

STORRS1244 Storrs Rd.

Storrs, CT 06268 (860) 429-9306

SOUTHBURYSouthbury Training School

P.O. Box 644 Southbury, CT 06488

(203) 267-7610

Hours: Main Office: Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Branches: Mon-Fri, 9:30am-4pm

Drive-Up Teller (Hartford Only): Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm; Paydays Open Until 5pm

Wednesday, November 11, 2015 Veterans Day

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Stephen Anderson..................................................................... PresidentRoland Bishop.......................................................... Secretary/TreasurerDavid Glidden............................................................ Executive DirectorBenjamin P. Phillips.......................................... Communications DirectorJason P. Webster...................................... Graphic/ Technical Assistance

Find all the essential information about the products and services we have to offer. You can even print a loan application online! Best of all, it’s accessible from your personal computer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

www.CSECreditUnion.com

Republished from the courant:

The Sept. 9 editorial “We Drive Alone” addresses an important issue -- that Connecticut commuters too often drive to work by themselves. Unfortunately, the editorial takes its typical gratuitous shot at state employees by saying that their union contracts provide for free parking.

However, there is no correlation between free parking for state employees and congestion on state highways. There is no analysis that state employees use public transportation or carpooling more or less than private sector employees because of free parking.

Does the state, as an employer, have an obligation to reduce congestion on state

highways? Absolutely. The state should follow private industry practices by expanding telecommuting options for state employees; allowing state employees that work in the field to begin their work day from home as opposed to driving to their Hartford offices to check in; and by expanding the busway, as anticipated, to east of the Connecticut River.

The Courant should stick to its proposed solutions, and abandon its scapegoating of state employees and their unions.

Robert D. Rinker, South Windsor

The writer was formerly executive director of CSEA.

Page 4CSEA NEWS

For All trips, mail checks with the RSVP Form (below) to CSEA Social Activities Committees 760 Capitol Ave, Hartford CT 06106 Questions? Call 860-951-6614

Please call CSEA at 860-951-6614 to check trip availability

Social Activities

Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes and 3 hours on your own in New York City’s Times Square.

December 4th, 2015. Price $110 per person Price includes ticket to radio city music hall and Motor Coach Transportation

Departure points: Windsor @ 6am, Southbury @ 6:45am Show Time @ 10am

CSEA SEIU LOCAL 2001 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES RSVP FORMNAME

ADDRESS

PHONE

EMAIL

TRIP

TRAVEL COMPANIONNAME

COMPANION PHONE

Left to right is the Connecticut Deligation to the ARA Convention in July: Bette Marafino, Maryanne Goggin, Amelia Smith, Marily Tyszka, Senator Chris Murphy, Win Heimer, and William (Bill) Tyszka.

The Alliance for Retired Americans, of which CSEA is a partner, is a nationwide organization with over 4.3 million members working together to make their voices heard in the laws, policies, politics, and institutions that shape our lives. The mission of the Alliance for Retired Americans is to ensure social and economic justice and full civil rights for all citizens so that they may enjoy lives of dignity, personal and family fulfillment and security.

Dorota Rabiej (DOT District 4), Jeff Hunter (DOT District 2), Dan Stafko (DOT District 3), Denise Eaton (DOT District 3), and CSEA staff representative Gary Smith. Members of CSEA’s delegation to the 2015 NASHTU Conference pause for a minute for a picture by the U.S. Capitol. NASHTU’s roots extend back to 1999 when a number of unions and employee associations representing engineers and related transportation workers employed by state transportation departments began to share information and discuss how to address common issues. NASHTU, the National Association of State Highway and Transportation Unions, has now grown into a coalition of 38 unions and affiliates from 20 states and the District of Columbia representing hundreds of thousands of state and locally employed public transportation workers throughout the United States. The annual conferences have demonstrated that wasteful outsourcing of engineering, technical, and other transportation services is a problem in nearly every state. By coming together and sharing strategies and perspectives, NASHTU can help each member union be more successful in its fight to limit wasteful, overpriced outsourcing.

NASHTU Alliance for Retired Americans

Andy Gambardella dances with Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman at the Council 400 picnic in September.

Page 5CSEA NEWS

Noticias de CSEA, septiembre de 2015

Consejo de Cuidado Infantil Familiar será creado

Felicitaciones a las siguientes personas que han sido elegidas para representar a su región en el Consejo de Cuidado Infantil Familiar:

Waterbury: María Reyes, Sunilda Martinez, Felicia Diaz

Hartford: Naomi Mitchell, rJo Winch

Easte de Connecticut: Rafaela Gomez

New Haven: Queen Freelove, Shelta Wilson

Bridgeport: Debbie Hardy, Shennett Bynum, Carolyn Thompson

El sábado, 24 de octubre, todos los proveedores de cuidado infantil familiar se reunirán en Union Hall, en Hartford, para crear nuestro Consejo de Cuidado Infantil Familiar oficial. Nos reuniremos a las 11AM, trataremos los aspectos de negocios de nuestra reunión, tomaremos un receso para disfrutar de un suculento almuerzo, y discutiremos las metas del Consejo para los próximos diez meses.

Le invitamos a asistir y compartir lo que es importante para usted:

• Cómo lograr que los servicios de cuidado infantil estén disponibles a precios razonables para más familias

• Cómo puede el programa de alimentos ayudar mi situación económica

• Cómo establecer buenas relaciones con los padres• Mejor paga durante horas no tradicionales del cuidado

infantil• Becas para mis hijos y nietos• Ayuda con mi declaración de impuestos• Cómo obtener mi CDA y el bono acompañante de $500 • Actividades para los niños bajo mi cuidado• Cómo lograr reconocimiento nacional como educador de

calidad sobre el cuidado infantil familiar• Cómo trabajar con el estado para conseguir subvenciones

para arreglar el espacio dedicado al cuidado infantil• Cómo mejorar los reglamentos para obtener licencias

Votaremos para elegir al Presidente, Secretario y Tesorero del

Consejo, así como al Representante Alterno para el Consejo

Ejecutivo de CSEA. Estas decisiones son importantes. Las

personas que elijamos como líderes determinarán la eficacia

de todo asunto que intentemos abordar y los proyectos que

emprendamos durante el próximo año. Queremos saber qué

necesitan, qué desean y qué están dispuestos a hacer. Asista a la

reunión el sábado, 24 de octubre, de 11:00am a 1:00pm, en Union

Hall, 760 Capitol Avenue, en Hartford.

CSEA NEWS September 2015

Family Child Care Council to be Formed

Congratulations to the following individuals who have been elected to represent their regions on the Family Child Care Council:

Waterbury – Maria Reyes, Sunilda Martinez, Felicia Diaz

Hartford – Naomi Mitchell, rJo Winch

Eastern Connecticut – Rafaela Gomez

New Haven – Queen Freelove, Shelta Wilson

Bridgeport – Debbie Hardy, Shennett Bynum, Carolyn Thompson

On Saturday, October 24, all family child care providers will meet at the Union Hall in Hartford to create our official Family Child Care Council! We will convene at 11AM, run through the business portion of our meeting, break for a hearty lunch, and discuss goals for our Council for the next ten months.

Come and share what is important to you!

• Making child care affordable for more families

• How the food program can help my bottom line

• Developing good relationships with parents

• Better pay during non-traditional hours of care

• Scholarship dollars for my own children or grandchildren

• Help with my taxes

• Getting my CDA and the accompanying $500 bonus

• Activities for the children in my care

• Achieving national recognition as a quality family child care educator

• Working with the state to get grants to fix up my child care space

• Improving the licensing regulations

We will be voting on our Council President, Secretary, and

Treasurer as well as our Alternate Representative to the

CSEA Executive Council. These decisions matter. Who we

choose as leaders determines the effectiveness of any issues

we try to address and any projects we undertake over

the next year. We want to hear what you need, what you

want and what you are willing to do. Join us on Saturday,

October 24, 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Union Hall, 760

Capitol Avenue in Hartford.

Page 6CSEA NEWS

CSEA Flu Shot ClinicTuesday, October 27th

starting at 10amAt the CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 Union Hall

760 Capitol Ave, Hartford CT, 06106Bring Your State Employee Health Insurance CardPlease Call CSEA To Reserve Your Spot!

CALL TOLL FREE 800-894-9479You can now reach CSEA Toll Free from anywhere in the country by calling:

800-894-9479

At the center of the case are “agency fees”. As is typical in states that allow government workers to unionize and bargain collec-tively, union members pay dues while individuals who object to union membership pay “fair share fees”, also known as “agency fees”. These fees are meant to cover the costs of negotiating and enforcing the union contract, and prevent freeloaders as everyone in a bargaining unit benefits from a union contract whether or not they are a member of the union. “Agency Fees” have strong legal precedent and have long been considered to be fair as unions are required by law to provide representation to all members of a bar-gaining unit, whether they are a union member or not. No business would be able to function if they were constantly required to give away free goods and services and no government could function if paying taxes were optional. While the case originated in Illinois and is about home health care workers, the National Right-to-Work Legal Defense Foundation dramatically expanded the scope of the case to include all public sector workers. If the court follows the RTW’s lead, the case could nationalize Right-to-Work laws for the entire public sector in every state nationwide. SEIU is watching this case very closely and CSEA will work to keep you informed of any updates in this Supreme Court case.

progress in the last few years, and we will con-tinue to do so. Are we perfect? No. Will we ever be? Of course not. But we are a transparent facility with absolutely nothing to hide.”Paula Dillon is also a teacher and CSEA leader, praised the youth service officers.“Our YSOs are the ones who deal with the full spectrum of highly-charged emotions and un-predictable behaviors exhibited by our troubled residents, despite all the hazards that go along with that,” Dillon said. “They are the ones who build the most solid relationships with our youth and have the most influence on helping them to change. They keep all of us safe.”

At the same time, whether an election petition was filed or not, our work is by no means over. The P-4 fight needs to be part of a broader effort in CSEA to do throughout our union what we have begun in P-4 - connect with our members, foster new leaders and activists, and take on anything that threatens our strength as a union.

It’s been a humbling experience for me to see the dedication of our members, staff and organizers over the course of this campaign. Your dedication has taught me that whether it’s a raiding union like UPSEU, the right-to-work foundation, or a battle over a contract negotiation, there’s nothing CSEA can’t accomplish if we work collectively towards a common goal.

At last September’s convention, Roland Bishop and I were elected with a simple agenda – re-elect a pro labor Governor, beat back this raid of P-4 (one of our largest bargaining units) and to keep CSEA the strong union it has been for many years as we enter into contract negotia-tions in numerous units. While there is still so much work that lies ahead of us, I think its safe to say we have all had a pretty remarkable year.

In Solidarity,

Stephen AndersonPresidentCSEA SEIU Local 2001

Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association

Letter From CSEA PresidentStephen Anderson on P-4

CJTS/Pueblo Work-ers: “We Are Not Political Footballs.

Continued from Page 1 Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1

Page 7CSEA NEWS

CSEA SEIU Local 2001 Annual Turkey Drive

Please help CSEA SEIU Local 2001 Good Works Committee with our 2015 Turkey

Drive.

Each year we ask that Councils and Chapters Donate to this good works event. On Tuesday, November 24 starting at 9AM we will gather to create foodbaskets to be distributed to our brothers and sisters in the Community.

Please complete the form below and send to Bernadette Conway (bconway@csea760.com) for CSEA SEIU Local 2001Union brothers and sisters that may be in need of Turkey Baskets this year before Friday, November 20, 2015. Please be sure to provide all information on the form so that the meal can be delivered.

Thank you for all you do throughout the year to make our Union and Communities a great place to live and work.

HELP US FILL FOOD BASKETSFOR THANKSGIVING……..

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

PLEASE HAVE YOUR COUNCIL OR CHAPTER DONATE MONEY

THAT WE CAN USE TO PURCHASE

TURKEYS, STUFFING, POTATOES, CORN, GREENBEANS AND OTHER TASTY TREATS FOR BASKETS.

CHECKS CAN BE MADE OUT TO CSEA SEIU LOCAL 2001 TURKEY DRIVE (IN CARE OF MICHAEL NORTZ BEFORE

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20 , 2015) . PLAN ON HELPING US CREATE

AND DISTRIBUTE BASKETS ON TUESDAY,NOVEMBER 24 , 2015 FROM 9AM UNTIL 2PM.

Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association

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