the voice of connecticut’s - seiu local...
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STRONGER
T O G E T H E RLocal 2001
CSEA NEWSThe Voice of Connecticut’s Public Service Employees & Retirees
VOL. 49, NO. 09CSEA SEIU Local 2001September, 2016
Postmaster: Please forward address changes to:
CSEA, 760 CAPITOL AVE., HARTFORD, CT 06106
Visit Our Union’s Website at www.CSEA-CT.com
Paid For By CSEA SEIU Local 2001This message was made independent of any candidate or political party. More information about CSEA SEIU Local 2001 may be found on the state elections commission internet website.
Governor Malloy Undermines Own 2nd Chance Initiative With Layoffs/ Cuts To Rehabilitation Programs At a press conference in mid-September, Governor Malloy applauded himself and his 2nd chance initiative for reducing Connecticut’s inmate population to its lowest rate in two decades. While CSEA applauds the recent decline in our prison population, the sustainability of these declines has been put at risk by cuts and layoffs at Connecticut’s prison rehabilitation programs.
“Though recent changes in criminal justice legislation have had a positive effect in this lower inmate population within the Connecticut prison system, the Governor along with Department of Corrections (DOC) Commissioner Scott Semple failed to touch upon one of the main reasons recidivism has improved; the significant work of Unified School District #1 (USD#1),” said Matt Parenti, an educator working in the prison system. “USD#1 is the public school district within the DOC that for well over a quarter of a century has had a major effect on the rehabilitation of thousands of former inmates who have become productive citizens throughout Connecticut. Is it possible that the reason behind the omission is that the highly trained and effective educational staff within USD#1 have been decimated by Governor Malloy’s recent layoffs along with the strong possibility of further cuts in staff after elections this fall?”
CSC Healthy Sleep StudyCorrectional workers in the U.S. have a lower life expectancy than the national average (58 years versus 75 years for the overall population respectively). In Connecticut, the average life expectancy of correctional workers is 66 years, which is 8 years longer than the national norm, but 15 years shorter than other Connecticut residents. The poor health of correctional workers is an important but overlooked research topic. Little is known about the health of correctional supervisors, in particular, who anecdotally report having both more organizational accountability and less support.
The CSEA Correctional Supervisors Council (NP-8) has partnered with UConn Health (CPH-NEW) to form a Design Team to develop and implement interventions to improve correctional supervisors’ health and well-being. We first conducted a survey to assess health concerns and intervention priorities of correctional supervisors, and identified three target intervention topics: sleep quantity/quality, emotional health/stress, and nutrition/physical activity. Poor sleep quality and quantity was identified as the priority health concern to be addressed first. We then used a
You may have noticed the logo at the top of our newspaper noting that CSEA is celebrating our 75th anniversary. When the Connecticut State Employees Association was started in 1941, public employees were forbidden from participating in politics beyond basic voting rights, had no pension, few holidays, no overtime pay, no collective bargaining rights and therefore no contract. Over the past 75 years, CSEA literally wrote the statutes establishing some of the most important benefits, not only for state employees but for workers across the state:
• Political freedom for public employees• Collective Bargaining rights for public sector workers• Health Care for Retired State employees• Defined benefit pensions for state workers• Overtime pay • FMLA for public sector workers, most recently for paraeducators
Today, we no longer refer to our union as the Connecticut State Employees Association, we go by CSEA as we have expanded to include workers working in municipalities, child care and the private sector too. So three cheers for all we have achieved over the past 75 years, and a toast to our next 75 years!
CSEA Is Celebrating Our 75th Anniversary!!!
DDS LayoffsAs reported last month, Governor Dan Malloy’s administration continues to push forward with his planned privatization of 40 state-run group homes and a range of services for the intellectually disabled. We’ve seen layoffs before as a result of budget shortfalls, but not with the intent to privatize the work. This privatization is virtually unprecedented as it will lead to layoffs of over 600 state employees who currently work for the Department of Developmental Services. If this privatization plan is allowed to go through, it could be the first in a wave of new privatization schemes that undermine services, cause harm to families, and create increased costs for taxpayers.
Our local (along with 1199) filed a demand to bargain with the Office of Labor Relations, arguing that the State must bargain with the union over subcontracting that differs in type and scope from previous subcontracting (which this does on both counts). So far, the State has taken the position that it has the right to proceed without bargaining. This sets the stage for our next legal/member mobilization step in the effort to stop this very troubling scheme. We will be reaching out to members directly about our upcoming actions.
John Rowland Back in Federal PrisonFormer Governor John Rowland has surrendered to begin serving a 2.5 year sentence at the federal prison in Otisville, N.Y.
The Hartford Courant Reports:
Rowland was to begin a 30-month sentence for his most recent corruption convictions. A decade ago, he served about 10 months in prison for taking bribes. In the most recent case, a jury in federal court found him guilty of participating in a conspiracy to violate federal campaign finance reporting laws by, among other things, concocting sham consulting contracts to conceal his role as a paid employee of congressional campaigns by Mark Greenberg and Lisa Wilson-Foley.
U.S. District Judge Janet B. Arterton sentenced Rowland to two and one-half years in prison, but he has been free on bond while pressing appeals.
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Page 2CSEA NEWS
Retirement Division Payroll: 860-702-3528
Retirement Division Life Insurance: 860-702-3537
Retirement Division Health Insurance: 860-702-3533
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield: 1-800-922-2232
Oxford Health: 1-800-385-9055
Caremark: 1-800-318-2572
Silverscript: 1-866-693-4624
Cigna: 1-800-244-6224
HEP Care Management Solutions: 1-877-687-1448 or visit them at their portal: https://www.connect2yourhealth.com/ParticipantPortal/Default.aspx
Important numbers to have on hand:
OCTOBERMeetings & Events
Council 400
and ACTIVE
The Council 400 Delegates Meeting is always held on the third Thursday of the month. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, October 20th at 10am.
Chapter 401 (Hartford area):Thursday, October 6th, 12:15 lunch, meeting at 1pm,CSEA, 760 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CTSpeaker: State AuditorsTom Corrigan: 860-674-8221
Chapter 402 (Danbury area):Wednesday, October 12th at 10am,United Methodist Church, 5 Clapboard Ridge Rd., Danbury, CTSpeaker: Representatives from Quality Hearing Aid Center Dawn Gallagher: 203-748-2018
Chapter 403 (Norwich area):Tuesday, October 11th at 1:30 PMRose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Dr., Norwich, CT Speaker: Danny Medress, CSEA Political DirectorCarol Burgess: 860-859-3641
Chapter 404 (Waterbury area):Thursday, October 13th at 2:00 PMHarold Leever Regional Cancer Center, 1075 Chase Parkway (exit 17 off I-84), WaterburySpeaker: Marie Wheelahan, Representative from Liberty MutualJohn Quinn: 203-804-0189
Chapter 405 (New Haven area):MONDAY, OCTOBER 24TH at 1:00 PM*PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE BECAUSE OF JEWISH HOLIDAY*Energize CT, 122 Universal Dr., North Haven, CT Speaker: TBDLight lunch by Panera Bread will be providedRon Osokow: 203-671-7685 or Bill Hill: 203-208-1682
Chapter 406 (Middletown area):Tuesday, October 11th at 1:00 PMAmerican Legion Post 75, 58 Bernie O’Rourke Dr., Middletown, CTSpeaker: TBDJoe Formica: 860-347-4532
Chapter 407 (Bridgeport area):Wednesday, October 19th at 12:30 PM Social,St. Joseph’s of Stratford National Catholic Church, 1300 Stratford Rd., Stratford (on Rt. 113 toward Sikorsky Airport)Speaker: UI Specialist Richard LoPrestiCarol Donofrio: 203-888-2920
Chapter 408 (Willimantic area):Wednesday, October 12th at 1:00 PMBaptist Church, 945 Storrs Rd., Storrs, CTSpeaker: Representative Susan JohnsonRichard Pakenham: 860-456-2939
Chapter 410 (Windsor Locks area):Monday, October 17th at 1:00 PMSuffield Senior Center, 145 Bridge St., Suffield, CTSpeaker: Tim Curtis, Candidate for 60th District SeatAmelia Smith: 860-687-1848
Chapter 411 (Rocky Hill area):Thursday, October 13th at 1:00 PMWilliam J. Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St., Wethersfield, CTSpeaker: Retiree Coordinator Bernadette ConwaySebastian Puglisi: 860-529-8336
Chapter 412 (Putnam area):Tuesday, October 18thth at 1:30 PMCongregational Church of Putnam, 175 Main St., Putnam, CTSpeaker: Representative from CignaDon Gladding: 860-564-9092
Chapter 414 (Torrington area):Monday, October 17th at 10amTorrington UConn Campus Extension Building, University Dr., Torrington, CTSpeaker: Adrian Walker, Anthem RepresentativeKaren Pineman: 860-354-6727
Chapter 415 (Manchester area):Monday, October 24th at 1:00 PMElks Lodge, 33 Bissell St., Manchester, CTSpeaker: Retiree Coordinator Bernadette ConwayDorothy Tomlinson: 860-647-1216
Chapter 416 (New London area):Tuesday, October 11th at 12 noonGroton Public Library52 Newtown Rd., Groton, CT 06340Speaker: Cigna RepresentativeLes Shapiro: 860-442-5256
Chapter 417 (Plainville area): October Meeting has been CanceledOur Regular meeting that had been scheduled for Wednesday, October 12thhas been canceled. Regular meetings will resume in November.Cathy Toscano: 860-845-2927
Chapter 418 (4C’s):Tuesday, October 11th at 10AM4C’s, 907 Wethersfield Ave., Hartford, CT Speaker: Comptroller Kevin LemboBill Searle: 860-745-3692
Chapter 421 (Ormond Beach, FL)Wednesday, November 9th at 11:30 A.M.Golden Corral Restaurant907 Taylor Rd., Port Orange, FL 32127Contact Pat Albert, Secretary, 386-615-6805
Chapter 431 (Coastal Carolina Chapter):Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at 11:30 a.m.The Golden Corral, 868 Oak Forest Lane, Myrtle Beach, SCLunch will start at 12:15 with meeting to follow$12 includes lunch, tax, and gratuity.Reservation deadline: October 3rd. Mail payment, to Lyle Chichester, 209 Chestnut Springs WayWilliamston, SC 29697. Make check payable to “Lyle Chichester, Chapter 431 Treasurer”Contact: Lyle Chichester at (864) 328-9419. Chapter 441 (Cape Cod Chapter)Thursday, September 22, 2016 9:30 a.m.Cape Cod Five Cents Bank, Board Room688 Main St., South Dennis, MA (across from Patriots Mall)Short business meeting and election of officersSpeaker: Entomologist Larry Dapsis discussing Ticks on Cape CodGeorge Levesque: 508-771-4679
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
STRONGER
T O G E T H E RLocal 2001
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Stephen Anderson..................................................................... PresidentRoland Bishop.......................................................... Secretary/TreasurerDavid Glidden............................................................ Executive DirectorBenjamin P. Phillips.......................................... Communications DirectorJason P. Webster...................................... Graphic/ Technical Assistance
Chapter 412 (Putnam area):Tuesday, October 18thth at 1:30 PMCongregational Church of Putnam, 175 Main St., Putnam, CTSpeaker: Representative from CignaDon Gladding: 860-564-9092
Chapter 414 (Torrington area):Monday, October 17th at 10amTorrington UConn Campus Extension Building, University Dr., Torrington, CTSpeaker: Adrian Walker, Anthem RepresentativeKaren Pineman: 860-354-6727
Chapter 415 (Manchester area):Monday, October 24th at 1:00 PMElks Lodge, 33 Bissell St., Manchester, CTSpeaker: Retiree Coordinator Bernadette ConwayDorothy Tomlinson: 860-647-1216
Chapter 416 (New London area):Tuesday, October 11th at 12 noonGroton Public Library52 Newtown Rd., Groton, CT 06340Speaker: Cigna RepresentativeLes Shapiro: 860-442-5256
Chapter 417 (Plainville area): October Meeting has been CanceledOur Regular meeting that had been scheduled for Wednesday, October 12thhas been canceled. Regular meetings will resume in November.Cathy Toscano: 860-845-2927
Chapter 418 (4C’s):Tuesday, October 11th at 10AM4C’s, 907 Wethersfield Ave., Hartford, CT Speaker: Comptroller Kevin LemboBill Searle: 860-745-3692
Chapter 421 (Ormond Beach, FL)Wednesday, November 9th at 11:30 A.M.Golden Corral Restaurant907 Taylor Rd., Port Orange, FL 32127Contact Pat Albert, Secretary, 386-615-6805
Chapter 431 (Coastal Carolina Chapter):Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at 11:30 a.m.The Golden Corral, 868 Oak Forest Lane, Myrtle Beach, SCLunch will start at 12:15 with meeting to follow$12 includes lunch, tax, and gratuity.Reservation deadline: October 3rd. Mail payment, to Lyle Chichester, 209 Chestnut Springs WayWilliamston, SC 29697. Make check payable to “Lyle Chichester, Chapter 431 Treasurer”Contact: Lyle Chichester at (864) 328-9419. Chapter 441 (Cape Cod Chapter)Thursday, September 22, 2016 9:30 a.m.Cape Cod Five Cents Bank, Board Room688 Main St., South Dennis, MA (across from Patriots Mall)Short business meeting and election of officersSpeaker: Entomologist Larry Dapsis discussing Ticks on Cape CodGeorge Levesque: 508-771-4679
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It is with great sadness that we report the passing of long-time CSEA Member and progressive activist William “Bill” Tyszka, who died Aug. 22 at age 81.
Along with his wife Marilyn, a retired AFSCME/CSEA member, Bill lent his time and energy to numerous causes, from advancing workers’ rights and expanding health care access to protecting Social Security and Medicare. He was a steady presence at rallies and legislative hearings, lobby days, meetings, and much more.
Bill was always there when needed. At the end of the 2016 legislative session, when the public retirement security bill championed by CSEA and other organizations, was in danger, Bill answered the call to lobby legislators and helped the bill get passed and then signed into law by Gov. Malloy.
He also served on the board of the Connecticut Chapter of the Alliance for Retired American’s, the AFL-CIO’s retiree constituent organization, which recognized Bill with a special award earlier this year.
“Bill never said ‘no’ to any ask or to any task,” said Connecticut ARA President Bette Marafino. “In fact, Bill was always one to volunteer. If you needed him to attend a meeting or make a visit to the legislature, you could rely on Bill. What a dear friend and what a tremendous loss.”
Bill’s activism extended well beyond the labor movement to areas like environmental and consumer protection, and voting rights. That’s why the Connecticut Citizen Action Group bestowed their Nancy Benedict Award to Bill and Marilyn in 2014.
Bill was a champion of our union and one of those people who made the world a better place for everyone. He will be greatly missed
In Memoriam. William Tyzka
William Tyzka, pictured with his wife Marilyn and CSEA organizer Eda DiBiccari
Page 4CSEA NEWS
Happening Around Our UnionOver 800 people gathered at the DUE Justice event on September 8th to hear from Reverend Barber( pictured at right), founder of the Moral Monday movement and recent speaker at the DNC, who called for healing America’s “Heart Problem” and address the moral challenges of caring for all of our nation’s people. CSEA Child Care Provider Queen Freelove (lower right) addressed the crowed about the importance of all workers being able to earn a living wage.
Council 400 members enjoyed their summer picnic on Wednesday, August 31st at Holiday Hill in Prospect. Attendees were visited by Lieutenant Gov-ernor Nancy Wyman and Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty. Pictured: Andy
Gambardella dances with Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, members fill the dining room, Maria Mirabilio and Joan Holley, and Elizabeth Esty talks with former CSEA President Charlie Casella.
CSEA Flu Shot ClinicWednesday, October 26th
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!
Council 400 Annual Picnic
Page 5CSEA NEWS
Our future, and our kids’ futures rest on the outcome of the election on November 8th. I know many of you are now reflecting on how many times you’ve heard a union leader say that, but it couldn’t be more true. Should Donald Trump win:
• Already stagnant wage growth will, under Trump’s plan, undoubtedly worsen as he not only doesn’t support a higher minimum wage, he questions whether we need one at all and has declared that American worker’s wages are too high.
• As a business owner, Trump was a union buster. As president, our nation would go the way of Wisconsin, diminishing the power of worker’s unions through his support of national Right-to-Work laws.
• His economic policy is a return to trickle-down economics. • To reduce taxes for corporations and the rich, he will decimate public services in favor of privatization. • His environmental policy will roll back decades of work in cleaning up our air, land and water. • While Trump claims that he won’t make any changes to the social security system, there is a mountain of evidence,
including the Republican platform, that makes it clear a President Trump would be happy to sign Social Security cuts into law.
• He would likely get an immediate Supreme appointment, and would select someone who will rule against workers and support wealthy business owners over everyone else. The terrible Citizens United ruling would stand for a generation.
• He would reshape the national labor relations board to favor business and weaken rights in the workplace. • He would sign into law the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, rolling back health insurance coverage for millions of
Americans and once again allow insurance companies to deny coverage based on preexisting conditions. • His sexism, racism, and religious bigotry should have no place in 21st century America. Representing workers, we
occasionally see how these traits can negatively impact a workplace. With Trump as president, these traits will negatively affect the whole country.
This is far from a complete list of reasons why Trump would be terrible for working Americans. Every corner of our local will be hurt by a Trump presidency, and that is why we must stand together as a local to defeat him in November.
Looking at the request for proposals (RFP), DDS is requesting proposals from both profit and non-profit organizations to transfer supervision and administrative duties associated with the operation of one or more of 8 community living arrangements. State managers have already begun preparing to eliminate these jobs despite not having performed the required cost effectiveness evaluations to see if this work could be completed in-house at a lower cost to taxpayers. The state has not even received any proposals yet (they due in mid-October) and the RFP states that a provider will not be selected until December.
It remains a serious concern that the state seems to be making no consideration for the individuals in DDS care, for whom this will affect both their emotional and physical health, potentially causing irreparable harm. Indeed the state passes the buck in the RFP,
putting the burden on the bidders to develop a plan that addresses clinical transition planning, housing development, and other tasks. Remember, these individuals are some of the most vulnerable residents in the state, many with severe developmental disabilities. Day services and mental health services are often the bright spot in these individuals’ day, and the staff that they interact with in many instances are like family to them. You cannot swap staff for this population and expect a smooth transition. You are going to be hard-pressed to find an expert who thinks this kind of chaos isn’t harmful to this population.
We have to stop this privatization scheme.
Drop what you are doing and call the governor and your state legislators. Call them today, on break, at lunch, in a free moment.
It is important that you call the governor, your state representative, and state senator ASAP! Please use your personal phone and do not call from a work phone. Every call you make matters.
Governor Dan Malloy: 800.406.1527 Senate Republicans: 860.240.8800, Toll free – 800.842.1421 House Republicans: 860.240.8700, Toll free – 800.842.1423 Senate Democrats: 860.240.8600, Toll free – 800.842.1420 House Democrats: 860-240-8500, Toll free – 800.842.1902
If you do not know who your General Assembly members, please click here to look them up.
We Must Defeat Donald Trump in NovemberStephen Anderson, President CSEA
Cutting these vital services and laying off public workers directly harms some of the most vulnerable residents of our state and places a burden on their families who rely on the work done by DDS. Classrooms at DDS individualizes attention given to physically and health challenged people ages 54 thru 87. The programs give individuals the chance to get out 5 days a week to go to their Day Program. Their Day Programs provide music, exercise, socialization, and pool use in the summer. These programs enrich the lives of the individuals. in the care of the state and it is important that they continue.
Sample message:
DDS Layoffs Continued from Page 1
Page 6CSEA NEWS
Retirees By CSEA Retiree Coordinator Bernadette Conway
In this column every month, I address the most often asked questions that we encounter. The number one issue most CSEA members are worried about is absolutely the future of pensions and health insurance plans. Not just retirees, but active members as well.
And there is reason to be worried. Some individuals take for granted that everything they have will always be there, but most know that in 2022 the SEBAC contract, that covers retiree health care, pensions and other important benefits expires. Does that mean we are safe until 2022? Unfortunately, that answer is no.
In last year’s Legislative Session, House Bill 5057 was proposed by twenty four Representatives and seven Senators. It is “An Act Concerning State Employee Retirement and Health Care Benefits”. The Statement of Purpose of this bill is “To close the gap between state employee and private sector benefit plans and to make our state budget responsive to current economic realities.”
This bill did not make it through the Legislature, but you can be assured it, or something like it, will be back in the next Legislative Session. This an effort to take away the hard earned benefits that state retirees have worked many years to earn. It does not specify exactly how they plan on closing the gap, but it seems likely that the plan includes privatization, service cuts, and a rollback of public employee/retiree rights.
This is why being a political force is such an important part of how CSEA operates. This election, more than ever before, is crucial in electing the most labor supportive candidates possible to work not only to support and protect the benefits you worked for and earned, but for the middle class as a whole.
If we are to win fair contracts, protect pensions and healthcare, fight layoffs, and ensure funding for our municipalities and school districts, we must maintain a focus on the 2017 legislative session and budget.
That means being a political force in primaries and the general election by raising the funds to move our members and the public. These elections will set the frame of the 2017 budget.
We do not beat layoffs and privatization with grievances and kind words. We beat them with political power, and gaining that political power takes a lot of hard work and money.
The Retiree Council has a Legislative Action Committee that works hard alongside the CSEA Legislative Action Committee to interview and identify the most important candidates to elect. They have worked harder than ever this season to endorse the strongest, most firebrand candidates that will stand up for your rights. You will soon be seeing them listed in this newsletter, so please pay attention and vote for our endorsed candidates.
If you would like to get more involved by making member to member phone calls in targeted districts, or to become a Political Action Contributor, please contact me so we can do everything possible to fight this war that is being waged against active and retired state employees. You can contact me at 860-951-6614, extension 112, or [email protected]. We need an army to do the work of the union, so please consider being a part of it.
Important numbers to have on hand:
Retirement Division Payroll: 860-702-3528
Retirement Division Life Insurance: 860-702-3537
Retirement Division Health Insurance: 860-702-3533
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield: 1-800-922-2232
Oxford Health: 1-800-385-9055
Caremark: 1-800-318-2572
Silverscript: 1-866-693-4624
Cigna: 1-800-244-6224
HEP Care Management Solutions: 1-877-687-1448 or visit them at their portal: https://www.connect2yourhealth.com/ParticipantPortal/Default.aspx
Trump is out of touch with working parents, child care providers
WASHINGTON – In response to Donald Trump’s speech on child care, Faith Arnold, owner, director and teacher at Sun Children, Inc. in Bellwood, Ill., and co-chair of the early learning division of the executive board of SEIU Healthcare Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, issued the following statement:
“Donald Trump’s child care proposal shows yet again that he is completely out of touch with working parents and child care providers like me.
“In every single state, child care for an infant and a four-year-old, on average, costs more than rent or a mortgage. The parents who bring their children to my day care every day are trying to stretch their paychecks to pay for necessities, including child care—and they are not alone. They need affordable, high-quality child care now, not another tax scheme that focuses on helping the very richest who need it the least.
“Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, has pledged to make sure no family pays more than 10 percent of its income on child care. Clinton’s plan will actually make child care more affordable so parents can get to work and raise their families. Hillary recognizes the value of care work in our nation, including the value of child care providers who help educate our future generations.
“Trump not only doesn’t value us, he ignores that the child care crisis is twofold: Underpaid working parents can’t afford quality child care and child care providers like me can’t afford the basics for our own families.
“I’ve been a child care provider for more than 15 years and I love what I do. I care for, educate and nurture our youth, and prepare them for school and beyond. But after so many years in child care, I am still only paid $4.50 an hour after my expenses. We need better pay so we can do our best at work without worrying about keeping our lights on and keeping food in the refrigerator.
“As a child care provider and executive board member of SEIU HCMIIK, I know that we need a president like Hillary Clinton who has been a leader on family and child care issues her entire life. She is the only candidate with a real plan to solve the child care crisis by making child care more affordable for parents and raising pay for child care providers. That’s why child care providers are turning out in full force this election. We are turning out our co-workers, parents and neighbors to the polls to make sure we elect Hillary Clinton in November.”
Trump ha perdido contacto con la realidad de padres trabajadores y proveedores de cuidado infantil
WASHINGTON – En respuesta al discurso de Donald Trump sobre el cuidado infantil, Faith Arnold, propietaria, directora y maestra de Sun Children, Inc. en Bellwood, Ill., y co-presidenta de la división de aprendizaje en la primera infancia del consejo ejecutivo de SEIU Healthcare Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, emitió la siguiente declaración:
“La propuesta de Donald Trump acerca del cuidado infantil muestra una vez más que él ha perdido toda noción de la realidad de los padres que trabajan y de proveedores de cuidado infantil como yo.
“En cada estado, el cuidado infantil para un bebé y un niño de cuatro años, en promedio, cuesta más que el alquiler o una hipoteca. Los padres que traen a sus hijos a mi guardería cada día están intentando estirar su sueldo para pagar por necesidades, que incluyen el cuidado infantil, y no están solos. Necesitan cuidado infantil de alta calidad y a precios razonables ahora, y no otro régimen fiscal enfocado en ayudar a las personas más adineradas quienes menos necesitan la ayuda.
“En cambio, Hillary Clinton ha prometido asegurarse de que ninguna familia pague más del 10 por ciento de su ingreso por cuidado infantil. El plan de Clinton es lograr que los precios del cuidado infantil sean más razonables, de manera que los padres puedan ir a trabajar y criar a sus hijos. Hillary reconoce el valor del trabajo de cuidado en nuestra nación, incluido el valor de proveedores de cuidado infantil que ayudan a educar a nuestras futuras generaciones.
“Trump no solo no nos valora, sino que ignora que la crisis de cuidado infantil es doble: los padres trabajadores mal pagados no pueden pagar por cuidado infantil de calidad y proveedores de cuidado infantil como yo no pueden pagar por lo básico para mantener a nuestra propia familia.
“He sido proveedora de cuidado infantil durante más de 15 años y me encanta mi trabajo. Cuido, educo y crio a los niños, y los preparo para la escuela y más allá. Pero después de tantos años trabajando en cuidado infantil, todavía solo gano $4.50 la hora después de mis gastos. Necesitamos mejor paga para poder hacer lo mejor que podamos en el trabajo sin tener que preocuparnos de mantener las luces encendidas y de tener alimentos en el refrigerador.
“Como proveedora de cuidado infantil e integrante del consejo ejecutivo de SEIU HCMIIK, sé que necesitamos a una presidenta como Hillary Clinton, quien ha sido líder en asuntos de familia y cuidado infantil durante toda su vida. Es el único candidato con un plan real para resolver la crisis de cuidado infantil al lograr que éste sea más asequible económicamente para los padres y aumentar la paga de proveedores de cuidado infantil. Por ello, los proveedores de cuidado infantil acudirán en plena fuerza a votar en estas elecciones. Estamos motivando a colegas, padres y vecinos a que acudan a votar para asegurarnos de elegir a Hillary Clinton en noviembre”.
Page 7CSEA NEWS
Social Activities All trips are open to everyone, including the general public. Here are some of the trips CSEA’s Social Activities Committee is working on for the coming year. Please use the RSVP form below if sending checks.
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
NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE
TRIP
TRAVEL COMPANIONNAME
COMPANION PHONE
BUS PICK UP POINT
CSEA SEIU LOCAL 2001 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES RSVP FORM
Please call CSEA at 860-951-6614 to check trip availability or for more information
2nd Chance Initiative Continued from Page 1
Sleep Study Continued from Page 1
Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes and 3 hours on your own in New York City’s Times Square.
December 2nd, 2016. Price $100 per person Price includes ticket to radio city music hall and Motor Coach Transportation
Departure points: Windsor and Southbury, departure times tbd Show Time @ 11am
Please call for trip availability. No refunds on cancellations on or after deadline. Travel insurance (cancellation waivers) available on some trips (see flyer) due with initial reser-vation. Reservations accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Delegate Convention
Saturday, October 22nd
At Connecticut Central State University (CCSU)
All Chapters should get their elected delegate lists into Mike Nortz, 860-951-6614, [email protected]
75th Anniversary
Since March of this year, the DOC has lost approximately 13% of their education staff from retirements and layoffs resulting from the Governor’s refusal to look for new sources of revenue and his decision to rely entirely on cuts to balance the state budget.
Teaching positions within the USD#1 are an integral part of the correctional process and save the state money by preparing inmates for a more successful reentry into society, so they can break the cycle of prison recidivism. These positions provide education to the nearly 15,000 incarcerated youth and adults in our Connecticut prisons. Many individuals would never have gotten a high school diploma if they had not had the opportunity to attend daily classes within the state
prisons. Studies have found that the recidivism rate for male inmates who participated in education programs is about 44% compared to 64% for those who did not; a 20% difference that represents millions in annual savings generated by these programs.
If cuts to these important programs continue, we will likely see a dramatic increase in ill-prepared inmates reentering society, putting members of society at risk and resulting in significantly higher criminal justice costs in the near future as recidivism rates increase.
CSEA members believe strongly that if Governor Malloy’s 2nd Chance Initiative is to have any sustainable success the recent layoffs must be rescinded and no further cuts should occur.
seven-step intervention planning tool to generate, evaluate, rank, and select sleep interventions for implementation.
Ultimately, the Design Team developed a sleep intervention composed of a Healthy Sleep Training and a smartphone based Sleep Tracking App. We have received a small grant for carrying out a pilot project to deliver the intervention to DOC supervisors and evaluate it for effectiveness. In our small study, participants will be divided into two intervention arms consisting of 50 supervisors each. Group A will only receive the Healthy Sleep Training, which educates trainees about using a sleep hygiene checklist for shift workers and a guided meditation. Group B will receive the Healthy Sleep Training plus Sleep Tracking App, to prompt sleep behavior change by increasing awareness of sleep quantity and quality prior to receiving the training. The content for the Healthy Sleep Training have already been created; the Sleep Tracking App is currently being developed and will be ready to use by early October 2016.
Our plan is to implement the
interventions in Fall 2016, with the goal of completing implementation by mid-November. We will train 100 correctional supervisors and collect quantitative data from them to: assess the effectiveness of the interventions via pre- and post-intervention surveys, examine whether a combined intervention (Group B) results in the better outcomes than the training alone (Group A), and assess the relationship between intervention characteristics and implementation-related outcomes. After establishing its effectiveness, we anticipate that this sleep intervention will become a nationally-disseminated model for improving sleep health among correctional workers.
At a meeting on August 15, 2016, The Commissioner of Correction, Scott Semple, agreed to work with the Union and UConn Health Center on the program and the sleep study.
If you wish to participate in the Sleep Tracking App, please email Julius Preston at [email protected] or Vinny Steele at [email protected]. There is a small remuneration for study participants that complete the study.
