Career Development, Academic Planning, Education and Training

Career Development

Civil Service Test Preparation Booklets, New York State Exam Review Series and Local Government Exam Review Series. Cost per booklet is $3. for an order form and advice for exam preparation, contact the CSEA Labor Education Action Program (LEAP) at 1-800-253-4332. In addition, teaching materials on how to take a civil service exam are available from the CSEA Region IV office:or download them for free at the CSEA Home Page

Capital Region IV Headquarters
1 Lear Jet Lane, Room 22
Latham, NY 12110
518-785-4400

CSEA/AFSCME Career Academic Planning

CSEA/AFSCME and the Educate America Resource Network (EARN) have joined forces to offer low-cost, high-quality help in making the cost of higher education affordable. Services include access to EARN'S College Assistance Planning Center, tuition planning, assistance in completing student aid forms and more. Annual membership fee is $10. For more information, please call the CSEA Member Benefits Department.

Education and Training

The CSEA Education and Training Department provides basic and advanced labor education workshops for activists and local/unit officers. In addition to training programs, the department provides publications and videotapes on labor issues such as drug and alcohol testing, sexual harassment, civil service law and contract administration reference materials.

NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training ( Formally-LEAP - for CSEA-represented state employees)

CSEA-represented state employees may apply for tuition vouchers for credit and non-credit courses (related to state occupation or work force need) at more than 130 participating colleges and BOCES. Vouchers may be used for one course per year. Tuition reimbursement is available for courses at nonparticipating schools.

The NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training 1-800-253-4332, is available 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m weekdays and until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings (hours subject to change), provides information and advice about career and educational benefits, course offerings and financial aid for CSEA-represented state employees. After normal business hours, leave a message and your call will be returned. Your agency education liaison, training or personnel office or your CSEA local president can also provide information about NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training benefits.

Cellular Phone Discounts

CSEA's cellular phone benefit enables members to "reach out and touch someone" at special rates. Currently available in most calling areas from Buffalo to Long Island. For details call (518) 257-1000/1-800-342-4146

Credit Cards

AFSCME Advantage master card

The master card features one of the lowest interest rates -- 5% above the prime lending rate. Another way you save: no annual fee, no ATM fees and no charge for checks. For details call (518) 257-1000/1-800-342-4146

Secured master card

The Union Privilege Secured master card, issued by Amalgamated Bank of New York, makes it possible to establish a health credit rating while having credit card convenience. Designed specifically to help establish or reestablish credit, it has a low annual fee, competitive fixed annual percentage rate and 25-day grace period. For details call (518) 257-1000/1-800-342-4146

Discount Buying

The CSEA-endorsed Buyer's Edge is a buy-by-phone consumer buying service designed to save you money on major purchases. It negotiates extra discounts and lowest price guarantees individual buyers don't get. For appropriate toll-free numbers, consult the list of numbers published regularly in The Public Sector orcall (518) 257-1000/1-800-342-4146.

Traveler's Edge -- Buyer's Edge travel reservations service. A buy-by-phone service with discounts on airline tickets, tours, cruises and travel packages. Use this service to get the best vacation price for members and their families.

Employee Benefit Fund

The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund (EBF) administers dental, and vision benefits for CSEA-represented state employees and participating local government members. For information call 1-800-323-3732. In the 518 area code call 782-1500. (For TDD for the hearing impaired call 1-800-532-3833).

Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program is a confidential information and referral program designed to help individuals deal with personal problems that may affect their job performance. It is a cooperative labor-management program developed in the work site. For information and assistance in starting an EAP in your area call CSEA Member Benefits Department at (518) 257-1000/1-800-342-4146.

Grievances and Disciplines

Report any grievance or contract violation to your local grievance representative or shop steward. If they are unavailable, contact your CSEA unit of local president or your CSEA labor relations specialist at your CSEA Region Office. Don't delay if you believe you have a problem; grievances may be subject to contractual time limits.

Insurance to Protect your Family, Home, Car

Adequate insurance coverage can give you and your family peace of mind. JLT Services Corporation (JGSC) has been exclusively endorsed to provide a wide variety of insurance products to guarantee the personal security of CSEA members. For over 50 years, JLT has worked with CSEA to provide members with low-cost, high-quality insurance options. Automatic payroll deduction of premium is available.

For details on CSEA Security Life Plan, Disability Income Protection Program, Hospital Income Insurance Plan and Family Protection Plan, call toll-free 1-800-697-CSEA.

For details on Auto Insurance and Homeowners/Renters Insurance call the Personal Lines customer center, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday - Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

• New Business: 1-800-833-4657
• Payroll Deduction Questions: 1-800-760-3848
• Customer Service/Policy Changes: 1-800-833-9041

For details on CSEA Disability Income Insurance claims, call toll-free 1-800-230-2422, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For details on CSEA Long Term Health Care Program call toll free 1-800-366-5273.

Joint Committee on Health Benefits

(JCHB - for CSEA-represented state employees)

The JCHB is a joint labor-management committee whose primary objective is to ensure that the health insurance provided to CSEA active employees, as a result of the state contractual negotiations, is implemented, administered, adjudicated and rated fairly and properly.

the committee oversees the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) which currently consists of the Empire Plan and 26 health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and assists individuals with health insurance questions and problems. the JCHB also works with CSEA Locals by providing the Video Tape Library Program and JCHB Wellness booklets which can be used as educational resources on health, wellness and self-care topics. For assistance, and/or information call (518)785-4774, 1-800-286-5242 or via e-mail at jchb@capital.net

Loan Program

The CSEA/AFSCME Advantage Loan program supplements the types of loans generally available from credit unions and banks. Personal loans, from $2,500 to $ 15,000 with affordable monthly payments are available to credit qualified applicants. These are unsecured loans (I.e. member's home or other property is not used as security). The interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan. The bank grants the loan, the union has no part in the decision. For more information, call the program toll-free 1-800-343-7097, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, Eastern Time

Legal Services

CSEA staff works continuously to make sure our members' employment rights and collective bargaining rights are protected.

A team of legal experts and CSEA's comprehensive Legal Assistance Program provides members outstanding legal services.

Thousands of CSEA members who have filed grievances, who have been unjustly disciplined or had their statutory or constitutional rights violated by their employer have learned that the union stands behind them.

As a result, members have won their jobs back. Thousands have secured deserved promotions, back pay, overtime and other rights and benefits unjustly denied by employers. CSEA Legal Services also protects their rights as union members.

The CSEA/AFSCME Advantage Union Privilege Legal Services Program provides high quality affordable legal services for many personal legal matters. The initial half-hour consultation is free, with subsequent services at a discounted fee. For details and a list of participating lawyers in your area, call (518) 257-1000/1-800-342-4146.

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Mortgage and Real Estate

Union CSEA/AFSCME Members' Mortgage and Real Estate:

This program is a complete mortgage and real estate process that includes competitive rates; refinancing of existing mortgages; down payments as low as 5%; special help for first-time buyers and strike and welfare fund benefits. Additional real estate savings for buyers and sellers (i.e. 5% off Realtor's commission, free appraisal and credit report) through Century 21. For more information, please call (518) 257-1000/1-800-342-4146.

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Publications - Stay Informed!

CSEA keeps members up to date through the union's newspaper, The Work Force and the AFSCME Public Employee magazine. CSEA also offers members publications on topics such as retirement, safety and health, layoffs, civil service law and more. For a list of publications and an order form, please call (518) 257-1000/1-800-342-4146.

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Retirement

If you're retiring soon, talk to a CSEA provided retirement counselor. It's important that you select the proper option from the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System so you can plan the lifestyle that you want to enjoy.

For general information on retirement and union membership at retirement with its exclusive members-only benefits,call (518) 257-1000/1-800-342-4146.

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Scholarship Programs

CSEA

CSEA awards twenty-four (24) $500 scholarships under the Irving Flaumenbaum Memorial Scholarship and Thomas H. McDonough programs. Plus, Jardine and Travelers each sponsor a onetime $2,500 award. Applications are available in mid-February from Local and Unit Presidents. Filing for a Flaumenbaum scholarship automatically puts an applicant in consideration for all those above.

CSEA offers a special scholarship program, the J.J. Kelly Memorial Scholarship Fund, for children of members killed or totally disabled in the course of performing their public service duties. It provides two $500 continuing four-year grants. Application deadline is early Spring. Details are published in The Work Force.

AFSCME

The AFSCME Family Scholarship Program provides ten (10) scholarships of $2,000 each that are renewed for a maximum of four years. CSEA/AFSCME members' children who are high school seniors are eligible.

The Union master card Scholarship Program awards scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 to CSEA/AFSCME members, spouses, and children. Members must have been a member in good standing for at least one year.

Jerry Clark Memorial Scholarship Program

A $10,000 scholarship is awarded to an actively employed CSEA/AFSCME members' child who is a college junior or senior and a political science major with a grade point average of 3.0 or above.

For more information on any of the CSEA or AFSCME scholarship programs, please contact the CSEA Member Benefits Department at (518) 257-1000/1-800-342-4146.

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Travel and Leisure

CSEA and AFSCME sponsor many discount programs for its members. Discounts are available on car rentals, hotels, and many major theme parks. For more information, please call the CSEA Member Benefits Department at (518) 257-1000/1-800-342-4146, or fill in our Information Order Form and check Union Family $avers.

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I Wish to Thank Mr. Patrick Sauter of CSEA Local 615 For The Above Information.

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