EBF making changes to plans to benefit you The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund is celebrating the new year by rolling out some changes that will allow for more flexibility. The EBF was established to administer valuable dental and vision benefits that are only available to CSEA members through negotiations. Through these coordinated efforts, the EBF Board of Trustees has worked diligently to enhance the benefits, effective Jan. 1, 2014. For the plans that once allowed cleanings, exams and fluoride treatments only once per six months, the plans were revised to allow a benefit two times per calendar year. This change makes the plans more flexible and allows appointments to be scheduled at your convenience rather than a fixed schedule. To view the plan booklets, please visit our website at www.cseaebf.com and from the home page, select the “Benefit Search” button. From there, you can navigate to a downloadable PDF version of your plan. If you need a copy mailed to you please contact us at 800-323-2732 and our knowledgeable dental customer service staff will be able to provide assistance. Our website, www. cseaebf.com, is always the best method to get the latest news, plan information, and the most up-to-date listing of participating dental and vision providers. If a change is made, the website reflects the changes in real time. Do you need your EBF ID number? To look up your EBF ID number on the www.cseaebf.com home page, select the “Lookup Your EBF ID #” button, enter the requested information and then you can print a new card or have one sent to you by mail. The EBF ID number is different than your CSEA member ID and is a unique, randomly generated number different than your Social Security number and it is required to schedule appointments. If you haven’t visited our website in a while, now is a better time than ever to see what you’ve been missing. For those that don’t have access to the Internet, there is always the option of calling us at 800-323-2732 or 518-782-1500 and we’ll be able to provide assistance. Happy New Year! Considering retirement? Join CSEA Retirees! Are you thinking about retiring? Ask your CSEA local president to pay the first year of CSEA Retiree dues, which are only $24. Our efforts through the years have protected – that is, guaranteed – public pensions and Social Security against assaults by shortsighted politicians who want to dismantle the system that protects your standard of living. These days, you can’t take anything for granted. You need your union to protect what you have and likewise, we need you to maintain strength in numbers. Dues are only $2 per month and can be deducted directly from your pension check. Here is what you get in return: • Lobbyists at the federal, state and local government levels to protect your interests; • Membership in a CSEA Retiree Local, as well as AFSCME Retiree Local 1000; • Local retiree meetings to socialize and get updates on retirement benefits; • Subscriptions to informative publications, including the CSEA Retiree News; and • Member-only benefits that can save you money on many consumer needs. Visit www.cseany.org and select “Retiree Members” from the “For Members” menu. May 15 is deadline for submitting proposed Resolutions, changes to CSEA’s Constitution & Bylaws Proposed Resolutions and proposed amendments to the CSEA Constitution & By-Laws for consideration by CSEA delegates to the union’s 2014 Annual Delegates Meeting must be submitted by May 15, 2014. Proposed Resolutions may be submitted only by a delegate and must be submitted on the proper forms. Forms for submitting Resolutions are available from CSEA headquarters and region offices. Proposed Resolutions and proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws must be submitted no later than May 15 to the Statewide Secretary, Denise Berkley, CSEA Headquarters, 143 Washington Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12210-2303. The 2014 CSEA Annual Delegates Meeting will be held Sept. 29 - Oct. 3 in New York City. Applications for CSEA’s Irving Flaumenbaum Memorial Scholarship will be available soon on CSEA’s website at www.cseany.org or through your region office. CSEA awards $1,000 scholarships each year to three eligible dependents of CSEA members in each region. The application deadline is April 30, 2014. CSEA membership/agency shop fees effective Jan. 1, 2014, for biweekly payrolls The scheduled adjustment in membership dues and agency shop fees is effective Jan. 1, 2014, to reflect AFSCME’s minimum dues structure approved by delegates and the AFSCME convention. The change applies to annualized salaries, not including overtime or location pay, based on salary at Jan. 1, 2014. No adjustments will be made during the year for raises or increments. January 2014 The Work Force 15
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