|
by Saodat Aziskhanova, CSEA President |
|||
|
“Professionals at Work, Leaders in the Community” is the theme of this year’s Classified School Employees Week (CSEW) and will be celebrated from May 20 through May 26. We are
planning some activities for the week and as always we will have a barbecue. More detailed information and schedule of activities will follow. The California Legislature adopted the third week of May of each year as Classified School Employee Week back in 1986; since then, observing it is our way to show our pride in our work and the valuable contributions we make to public education. Last month I attended CSEA Chapter Presidents Retreat. The 40-hour immersion program was a worthwhile experience. Topics like member involvement, chapter assessment, roles and duties of the chapter officers, fiscal responsibilities, the importance of communication, the Constitution and Bylaws, member benefits and Board elections were discussed. Please mark your calendars to attend the Retiree/Recognition Event on May 23, where college employees will be recognized for their years of service and the John Davitt Award will be given to a classified employee and a classified/confidential manager. I would like to comment on Mona Field’s article in last month’s issue of Chaparral. In regard to health insurance, she pointed out that even our children may not be insured after they turn 24. Legislation proposed by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) proposes to make the state government the single payer for all Californians and establish a commission to recommend a tax and premium structure by 2009. SB 840 is co-sponsored by CSEA and has been reintroduced in 2007 with the same number as last year. This bill has not yet been set for a policy hearing; but if it passes in the future, it would provide comprehensive health benefits, including medical, hospital, preventive care, prescription drugs, dental, and vision. Health coverage would be uninterrupted even when the individual is out of work, and would not exclude anyone based on a pre-existing medical condition. All Californians would be allowed to choose their own doctors and health providers and most importantly, SB 840 would provide a solution to the health care crisis in California by providing affordable health care for everyone in the state. Senator Dan Perata, Assemblyman Fabian Nunez, and Governor Schwarzenegger put forward various proposals recognizing the urgency of the problem. At the
Classified Retreat coming in a couple of weeks, Matthew Gentile,
CSEA Labor Relations Representative, will make a presentation on the
SB 840 and all other proposals out there today. Visit our chapter website: www.glendale.edu/csea |
|
CSEA
CONNECTION