CSEA has many money-saving benefit programs that are available to CSEA members only, and new benefits are being added all the time. To inform our members of what's available, CSEA has a staff of member benefits specialists who are always willing to meet with members at a union information day, membership meeting, at the workplace, at a lunch-and-learn program, at a unit or local picnic or any other gathering of CSEA members.

In the Central Region, our assigned member benefits specialist is Carmela McHugh. Carmela will travel to any nook and cranny within our 20 counties to meet with members and inform them about our great members-only benefits.

To reach Carmela, or to schedule a member benefits specialist to visit your workplace or membership gathering, please call her at the Member Benefits Department in Albany at 800-342-4146, ext. 1224.

Let's face it. Union involvement can be complicated. There are many things for our activists and officers to learn about the union and the rules we operate under. Because we're always looking to get members involved in the union, we're also dedicated to constantly providing training to those new activists, as well as our seasoned pros, to make sure that they have the best skills and most current knowledge available to best represent our members.

That's where CSEA's Education and Training Department comes in handy. CSEA has a staff of highly skilled trainers, called Labor Education Specialists, who come out to the regions, often directly to the work site, and provide training to our leaders, activists, and even rank-and-file members. Typical topics can include (but are not limited to): Steward Training, Grievance Representative Training, Officer Training, Labor-Management Committee Training, Contract Negotiations Training and many more programs.

PeggyLou Zakrzewski is our region's assigned Labor Education Specialist. She is happy to assist locals and units with all their training needs and can be reached at her office in our Albany Education and Training Department, 800-342-4146,

As a group of workers organized and working together to better ourselves, we wield some of our greatest power at the ballot box.

Because we are mainly workers who serve the public, our ultimate bosses are almost always elected officials. By participating as fully in the political process as we can, we strengthen the voice we have at work. It only makes sense.

That's why CSEA has a Political Action Department.

In our region, all political activities are conducted under the advisement and with the assistance of Political Action Coordinator Rick Noreault.

As Coordinator, Rick can help CSEA leaders and activists get involved in the political process in many different ways. From endorsing politicians who will give CSEA a friendly ear, running voter registration drives, advising the Region Political Action Committee, or getting involved in political fights to save jobs or services, or to fight against contracting out our jobs, Rick is the person to get things done.

If you have questions about CSEA Political Action, you can call Rick at the region office at (800) 559-7975.

If you have a safety and health issue at your workplace, or want help deciphering the numerous safety laws and regulations that are designed to protect you against harm, then you needn't look any further than Lynnet Witherell, our region's Occupational Safety and Health Specialist. She is available to assist safety & health committees, local/unit officers and activists across the region in making sure your work sites are safe.

Whether it's conducting a work site walk-through to assess existing or potential hazards, filing a safety and health complaint with the state Department of Labor, advising the region Safety & Health Committee, or conducting training for workers on safety issues, Lynnet is the person to contact.
If you have a safety and health issue, question or concern, call CSEA Occupational Safety and Health Specialist Lynnet Witherell at (800) 559-7975, ext. 4217.

When CSEA members need legal representation for work-related matters, CSEA has a network of region attorneys who work hand-in-hand with your elected leadership and your labor relations specialist to make sure that our members' legal rights are protected. Subject to approval of CSEA's Legal Assistance Program, CSEA provides, at no cost to the member, an attorney for arbitrations and other legal actions. Also on tap are the union's own Legal Department staff attorneys, who work out of CSEA's Albany headquarters, but have regularly scheduled visits to the region office to meet with staff and advise on members' legal issues.

If you have a work-related legal need, please contact your nearest CSEA elected officer or labor relations specialist.

Your Region Labor Relations Services

Whether it's negotiating a new contract, enforcing the terms and conditions of your current contract, fighting unfair disciplinary actions or violations of your contract rights, your CSEA officers turn to CSEA's professional Labor Relations staff for assistance.

Headed up by Region Director Joe Maratea, CSEA has a full staff of 16 labor relations specialists (LRS), working out of our region and satellite offices, who work one-on-one with your officers to help mentor, guide and assist them in any and all labor relations needs. They can also act as your point person to accessing all the rest of CSEA's available benefits and services.

If you have a problem and need the union's help, call your nearest CSEA officer. Chances are they'll soon be in touch with your LRS. If you need to speak with your LRS directly, call the region Office at (800) 559-7975 or your nearest satellite office.