• Election Day- In the spirit of becoming more politically active, the

Union is asking for volunteers to work for candidates and or parties on Election Day.  Contact the union office to volunteer and for further details.

• Police Officer Status bill- There is a bill sponsored by Senator Martin Golden for Police Officer Status. It is bill # S2188.
• Health Insurance Premium Percentage Increase for Retirees-

The Governor had language to increase the percentages paid by retirees to the same percentages as the CSEA contract snuck into the CSEA contract bill. 

Contract Negotiations

We had contract negotiation meeting on October 20th.  The Coalition has decided that we will not accept the offers accepted by CSEA and PEF.  There has been no progress made in the negotiation so far.   

Committees

Persuant to our Constitution and By-Laws, we have established the following required committees:

• Grievance - Chris Manning,Sue Bridges, Frank Guray and Bob Palmeri
• Labor Relations - Chris Manning, Brian Mischo, John Nunziata, John Tufarella
• Constitution and By-Laws - Carmen Palermo, Phil Gallo and Liz Emanuele
• Political Action Committee - Chris Manning, Jeff Rush, Diane Ashley, Jay Wastiewiz and Steve Curtin

Committee members can be changed and or added. Call the Union office if you would like to be on a committee.

Court Officer Lawsuit

OCA has filed a Notice of Appeal of our recent favorable decision regarding the reclassification/re-allocation of the Court Officer Title.  If all goes according to schedule we should be able to have our appeal calendared for the Spring 2012 term of the Appellate Division. Vice-President Mischo is on top of this issue.

New Attorney

As previously stated, we have recently retained a new law firm to represent our Association. The firm is Archer, Byington, Glennon and Levine.  Mr. Marty Glennon will be our pit bull from this firm from this point on.

 Welfare Fund/ Benefits

• Financials

Our welfare fund is financially sound with a sufficient reserve fund.  If any member needs more specific information, do not hesitate to contact the Union office. 

• Member/Dependent confirmation form.

As of this time we have about 95% compliance with members completing and returning the update form.  Those who have not complied have been sent a letter informing them of a suspension of their welfare fund benefits until they send the form to the union.

Welfare Fund benefits are available for dependent children of members who are full time students. (i.e.- 12 credits at a acredited college or university.)Members are eligible to purchase welfare fund benefits for dependent children who are no longer enrolled as full time students .  The rates for 2011 are $51.87/month for all welfare fund benefits and $38.75/month for dental only coverage.  Members must apply for the COBRA benefit within 60 days of the dependent child becoming ineligible for benefits and the COBRA coverage can be carried for 36 months.

• Benefit Enhancements

The board of trustees is now working on ways to improve and equalize benefits for households where both spouses are union members.

The board of trustees is also working on ways to enhance our benefit package.

The trustees will also be attending a class to become certified fund trustees in New Orleans this month.  The class was strongly recommended by out attornies and our benefit fund advisor, the Segal Company.  

• New Welfare Fund Trustees

President Manning has nominated and the Board of Delegates has approved and appointed two new Welfare Fund Trustees, T. C. Quinones and Brendan McKeon. 

• Filing Deadlines

 

Filing deadlines for welfare fund benefits (i.e. QTP, co-pay reimbursements etc.)will be strictly adhered to.

 

There will be no exceptions to this rule.

 

Sick leave Bank

Our sick leave bank is in very good condition.  To date this year we have granted 4,400 hours to 20 members

 

 New Delegates

Welcome to new delegates Kathy Lopez and Lou Caputo.

 

Currently we have a delegate position open for the Commissioner of Jurors.  Any member who is interested in filling this position should contact the Union office. 

 

Scholarship Winners
The following members won $1000 Thomas McGuinness Memorial Scholarships for the named student:
• Leon Adler for Amber Brooks
• Lori Armbruster for Eric
• Susan Engler for Melisssa
• Susan Alexander for Stephen Fogarty
• Debra D'Hondt for Stephen

Alternates:

• Dan Donato for Lisa
• Donna Murnane for Matthew

Congratulations to the winners!

  

 
• Veterans and Volunteer Firefighter Service Credit

   Any employee who believes that they are entitled to this credit should file the necessary form with their personnel office ASAP. 

 

 

 

Union Contact Information

• Members can reach the Union at the following addresses:

Suffolk County Court Employees Association

1300 Veterans Memorial Hgy.-Suite 130

Hauppauge, New York 11788

(631)231-3983

E-mail addresses:

General:

• SCCEA@aol.com

Individual:

Chris Manning-

presidentsccea@gmail.com

Brian Mischo

firstvpsccea@gmail.com

Bob Palmeri

secondvpsccea@gmail.com

Carmen Palermo

treasurersccea@gmail.com

Diane Ashley

recsecsccea@gmail.com

 As you all should know by now we have recently elected a new President, Chris Manning.  Chris has hit the ground running during a crisis like none ever faced before. All members should rest assured that Chris has the full support of the Executive Board and Board of Delegates and we all wish him well.