Message from the President

MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT

MESSAGE - May 25, 2011 Message from a LSA Union brother from NYC Legal

I am a staff attorney at NYSUT in NYC. My 13 year old daughter (O blood type) is in need of a Kidney and we have put out an appeal to the public because there is no one in my family that can donate.

I went through the donor evaluation process and found out that I myself have Kidney disease so they will not take my Kidneys. My wife was ruled out because of her own health condition and she is also not a match.

My 15 year old daughter created a Facebook and You-Tube Video (URLs below).

Thank you,

Mitchell H. Rubinstein

My Little Sister Needs A Kidney (Facebook) http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Little-Sister-Needs-a-Kidney/151793724890414

Linda's Kidney Video (You-Tube) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkgIh6Rf6rM

MESSAGE - December 4, 2009 Mail Order Prescription Plan

I just wanted to take a moment to share some recent concerns from the NYSUT CWA1141 members.

At the end of the year we receive our Benefit Guide’s where we can review, change and renew our various coverage’s as NYSUT employees. A number of you have contacted me with concerns that mail order prescription drug benefits are going to 90 day supplies for everyone within the organization except for CWA.

As I’m sure most of you are aware, the Professional Staff Association (PSA) recently completed their negotiations and as part of their new contract, they were able to negotiate a change in their prescription drug benefits moving their mail order benefits from 60 day to 90 day supplies. The Legal Staff Association (LSA) has a “me too” clause in their contract with regards to health benefits in that, whatever PSA negotiates, they will also receive. The management of NYSUT also follows suit and they were kind enough to adjust the benefits for the NYSUT retirees as well.

That leaves us. We do not have a “me too” clause and that may be for the best. With the recent PSA negotiations, they will now be responsible for 3.25% of the health insurance premium. We currently pay a flat amount. The officers and I have concerns in moving in this direction which we will be discussing in detail, up to and through, the entire negotiations process in 2010.

When I first heard about this I did reach out to NYSUT to discuss the possibility of us moving to the 90 day benefit as well. As they stated and I also agree, it is a negotiable item and would really need to wait for negotiations next year.

At this time I would ask that everyone please be patient. God willing and if the creeks don’t rise, we’ll be moving to the 90 day benefit after negotiations at the end of 2010, hopefully with Santa’s bag full of other nice presents. Enjoy the holidays with your families knowing that your officers and I are here working for the benefit of all of us.

In Solidarity,

Michael Ostrander

President, CWA1141