Career Development, Academic Planning, Education and Training
Career Development

  Civil Service Test Preparation Booklets, New York State Exam Review Series and Local Government Exam Review Series. Cost per booklet is $3. for an order form and advice for exam preparation, contact the CSEA Labor Education Action Program (LEAP) at 1-800-253-4332.

Labor Education Action Program

  Education and Career Advisement Service a confidential toll-free service for ALL CSEA members. Advisors are available to work with you in the following areas: financial aid, education and career planning and improvement of reading and writing skills, obtaining a GED and study of English as a second language. LEAP Advisors may be reached by calling the LEAPline at 1-800-253-4332 between 8:30 am and 4:30 p.m.(till 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays).
 

Cingular Wireless Discounts

State and Local Government employees are entitled to a  20% discount on Cingular Wireless calling plans . visit the member benefits section of the CSEA site or call 1-800-342-4146.

Verizon Wireless Discounts  

  State and Local Government employees are entitled to a 19% discount on Verizon Cell plans $39.99 and higher. To get started with service or add the discount to existing service, contact Jessica Trifilo at 518-852-8985.
****If you currently have Verizon Wireless and would like a discount contract call 1-866-456-7892****

Credit Cards

  The MasterCard features one of the lowest interest rates -- 5% above the prime lending rate. Another way you save: no annual fee, no ATM fees and no charge for checks. For details about AFSCME Advantage MasterCard, call (518)257-1000/1-800-342-4146

  The Union Privilege Secured MasterCard, issued by Amalgamated Bank of New York, makes it possible to establish a health credit rating while having credit card convenience. Designed specifically to help establish or reestablish credit, it has a low annual fee, competitive fixed annual percentage rate and 25-day grace period. For details call (518)257-1000/1-800-342-4146

Discount Buying

  The CSEA-endorsed Buyer's Edge is a buy-by-phone consumer buying service designed to save you money on major purchases. It negotiates extra discounts and lowest price guarantees individual buyers don't get. For appropriate toll-free numbers, consult the list of numbers published regularly in The Public Sector or call (518)257-1000/1-800-342-4146.

  Traveler's Edge -- Buyer's Edge travel reservations service. A buy-by-phone service with discounts on airline tickets, tours, cruises and travel packages. Use this service to get the best vacation price for members and their families.

Employee Benefit Fund

The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund (EBF) administers dental, vision and prescription drug benefits for CSEA-represented state employees and participating local government members. For information call 1-800-323-2732. In the 518 area code call 782-1500. (For TDD for the hearing impaired call 1-800-532-3833).

Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program is a confidential information and referral program designed to help individuals deal with personal problems that may affect their job performance. It is a cooperative labor-management program developed in the worksite. For information and assistance in starting an EAP in your area call CSEA Member Benefits Department at (518)257-1000/1-800-342-4146.

College Costs

Save on college costs with over 30 scholarship options for your college-bound seniors. Contact Capital Region Member Benefit rep Debbie Picerno at 1-800-342-4146 X1359.

Grievances and Disciplines

  Report any grievance or contract violation to your local grievance representative or shop steward. If they are unavailable, contact your CSEA unit of local president or your CSEA labor relations specialist at your CSEA office. Don't delay if you believe you have a problem; grievances may be subject to contractual time limits.

Insurances to Protect your Family, Home, Car

  Adequate insurance coverage can give you and your family peace of mind. Jardine Group Services Corporation (JGSC) has been exclusively endorsed to provide a wide variety of insurance products to guarantee the personal security of CSEA members. For over 50 years, JGSC has worked with CSEA to provide members with low-cost, high-quality insurance options. Automatic payroll deduction of premium is available.

For details on CSEA Security Life Plan, Disability Income Protection Program, Hospital Income Insurance Plan and Family Protection Plan, call toll-free 1-800-697-CSEA.

For details on Auto Insurance and Homeowners/Renters Insurance call the Personal Lines customer center, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday - Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

• New Business: 1-800-833-4657
• Payroll Deduction Questions: 1-800-760-3848
• Customer Service/Policy Changes: 1-800-833-9041

For details on CSEA Disability Income Insurance claims, call toll-free 1-800-230-2422, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For details on CSEA Long Term Health Care Program call toll free 1-800-366-5273.

Loan Program

  The CSEA/AFSCME Advantage Loan program supplements the types of loans generally available from credit unions and banks. Personal loans, from $2,500 to $ 15,000 with affordable monthly payments are available to credit qualified applicants. These are unsecured loans (i.e. member's home or other property is not used as security). The interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan. The bank grants the loan, the union has no part in the decision. For more information, call the program toll-free 1-800-343-7097, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, Eastern Time.

Legal Services

  CSEA staff works continuously to make sure our members' employment rights and collective bargaining rights are protected.

A team of legal experts and CSEA's comprehensive Legal Assistance Program provides members outstanding legal services.

Thousands of CSEA members who have filed grievances, who have been unjustly disciplined or had their statutory or constitutional rights violated by their employer have learned that the union stands behind them.

As a result, members have won their jobs back. Thousands have secured deserved promotions, back pay, overtime and other rights and benefits unjustly denied by employers. CSEA Legal Services also protects their rights as union members.

The CSEA/AFSCME Advantage Union Privilege Legal Services Program provides high quality affordable legal services for many personal legal matters. The initial half-hour consultation is free, with subsequent services at a discounted fee. For details and a list of participating lawyers in your area call (518)257-1000/1-800-342-4146.

Mortgage and Real Estate

  Union CSEA/AFSCME Members' Mortgage and Real Estate:

This program is a complete mortgage and real estate process that includes competitive rates; refinancing of existing mortgages; down payments as low as 5%; special help for first-time buyers and strike and welfare fund benefits. Additional real estate savings for buyers and sellers (i.e. 5% off Realtor's commission, free appraisal and credit report) through Century 21 call (518)257-1000 or 1-800-342-4146.

Simply Certificates

   Simply Certificates is a company that offers universal dining & Entertainment Gift Certificates. Simply Certificates, Inc. would grant CSEA members a 12% discount on all gift certificates purchased through CSEA (not valid at Simply Certificates retail locations). Members would use a link located on the CSEA Website (CSEAlocal1000.net click on member only benefits) to purchase the discounted gift certificates through an online order form. The link would automatically register the discount code with the Simply certificates.com on line store. Simply certificates will set up the link with our tech people for our members. An 800 number will also be available for those members without internet access. If you have any questions call 1-800-342-4146 ext.1232.

Travel and Leisure

  CSEA and AFSCME sponsor many discount programs for its members. Discounts are available on car rentals, hotels, and many major theme parks. For more information, please call the CSEA Member Benefits Department at (518)257-1000/1-800-342-4146.