ARC

ARC - Working Together

WHO RUNS THE UNION? - YOU DO!

In CSEA, you and your fellow employees run the union.

• YOU elect your own local union officers;
  
  

• YOU run you own local union affairs;
  
  

• YOU choose your own negotiation committee;
  
  

• YOU make the decision on your own union contracts;
  
  

• YOU decide important policies and action of your own union by majority vote;
  
  

• YOU elect your statewide CSEA union officers;
  
  

• YOU elect your own delegates to the statewide CSEA and AFSCME International Conventions;
  
  

• YOU - the membership - are the final voice of authority and decision in your CSEA union;
  
  

• YOU are the union's real BOSS
   

YOU ARE THE UNION

Join New York's Leading Union!

 A Message to ARC Workers from the Members of CSEA Local 436 at Finger Lakes DDSO

Recently, we, the members of CSEA here at Finger Lakes DDSO have started receiving inquiries from employees of ARC chapters in the area asking about our union and how to form a union and join CSEA

We are pleased that ARC workers have contacted us and are so interested in helping anyway we can. We are proud of the achievements we have made through our union and are more than happy to work with you to help you and your co-workers achieve more in your jobs.

Through our union, CSEA, we have been able to negotiate a contract with our employer, New York State (OMRDD) that sets forth our wages, benefits and rights on the job. Because of our union and our union contract, we have.

• A real voice on the job

Whether the subject is fair treatment for employees or consumer care, through our union, we have a real voice in decisions.

• Rights and Respect

Because of our union, employees at the DDSO don't live in fear of management. We have a fair process for dealing with grievances that respects the employees' rights and the consumers' needs. We also have regular on-going meetings with management representatives to discuss concerns raised by our CSEA members.

• Real Job Security and a Career Ladder

Because of our union contract, we know that we are not subject to arbitrary dismissal and layoffs. We also have a real career ladder with increasing salary as we move to more challenging and responsible work.

• Better pay

Our developmental aides-in-training start at $11.65/hour and move to $14.36 after one year. After 4 years, our direct care staff earns $17.81/hour.

• Better health insurance

We pay about $70 every two weeks for excellent family coverage through the Empire Plan, which covers Medical Surgical and Maternity Care, Home Care, Chiropractic treatment, Physical Therapy, Disease Management, Mental Health and Prescription Drug.

• Real Pension

Through our union, we have a defined-benefit pension plan paid for by our employer. A typical Developmental Aide retiring in 2006 with 25 years under our CSEA contract with a pension of $ 1,800.00 a month.

Sure, there are still problems, but with our union, we have a way to deal with them and make our positions heard.

We invite you to talk with us about our union, CSEA, and what we have been able to achieve. We encourage you to contact us if we can be of assistance or provide any information.

From the officers of CSEA Local 436

Kathy Button - President

Steve Hurley

Ed Figueroa

Doug Drake

Dan Stone

Click on an officers name to send them an e-mail.