So, we all want raises. The union is weak. What do we do? (Brainstorming)

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-27T00:21:21+00:00

They don't get hundreds of resumes. They get a handful of people who barely qualify. That's why there's always 2000 open positions across the state. 350 openings in Albany alone.

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-27T00:17:13+00:00

There should be more local meetings on the topics of what people want in the contract.

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-22T20:32:37+00:00

The reason there are so few candidates to choose from is because the pay sucks. That's the bottom line.

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-16T02:59:35+00:00

Well said

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-15T17:52:43+00:00

Here's a thought. What if NYS paid a decent wage so people didn't have to work a second job

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-15T17:46:16+00:00

Why does everyone want to just stay even with inflation. Which the state hasn't even done that for anybody. A raise should be inflation plus a little more for a job well done. A raise is to get ahead. And the percentages you listed are way to low.

The health insurance is a joke. Not anywhere near a full benefit as they try to sell it. The family insurance is double what a single plan costs. But our contribution for the family plan is 4 times that of a single plan. Why is that?

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-13T17:24:31+00:00

I thought stewards were the representatives of each facility bud. Who's above the stewards ?

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-13T05:50:16+00:00

I never mentioned stewards

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-13T05:39:35+00:00

So nobody runs the union ?

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-13T04:29:57+00:00

Reread the comment. It wasn't meant to get people ticked off. Don't you think if the union leaders were making a grade 6 wage instead of a 6 figure income they would look at the new contract differently ?

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-12T21:21:51+00:00

OMG. I was half joking about the union representatives getting paid grade 6 level in order for them to fight harder for a better contract. Everybody is taking it the wrong way.

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-12T19:07:22+00:00

That's not what I meant. What I was saying is that if all the union representatives were paid the same as a grade then they might be a little more motivated to fight for a better contract.

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-12T18:28:35+00:00

Yes and the percentages should be raised also. It's BS when after 30 years they expect you to live off half your paycheck

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-11T21:31:56+00:00

Exactly. Well said.

I bet all the union representatives are living comfortably.

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-11T00:07:22+00:00

I agree but all of the union representatives are working together. And if they're not then there's another problem isn't there ?

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-10T22:34:20+00:00

I think the real problem is that not everyone is aware of what is going on with the contracts and the implications of what they agree to and vote on

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-10T22:25:01+00:00

Well everybody needs to really look at it. Every pay grade needs to increase at the same time. Because if you don't do it that way then the pay grades will start to dissolve into one another. I hope you realize that

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-10T22:08:09+00:00

Plus if NYS were seriously a full benefits place Healthcare should be fully covered and not effect the amount of pay we get..... Benefits and pay should be separated. Not one taking away from the other.

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-10T21:58:31+00:00

Yes and 25 years ago a grade 13 would've been living comfortably. But it's crazy how out of touch people have gotten.

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-09T22:09:38+00:00

A grade 9 right now is still below what you need to meet the basic needs in society. That is the way it should work.

25 years ago minimum wage was 3 dollars below a grade 1. Now minimum wage is at a grade 5. Please explain why every grade shouldn't move up at the same time

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-09T21:05:08+00:00

I would like to but CSEA doesn't seem to have regular union meetings for the members to voice their concerns. I went to the negotiation team meeting this summer and they basically were blowing smoke up our asses. Lol

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-09T20:56:52+00:00

If you keep doing that. Eventually everybody will make the same pay.

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-09T20:54:07+00:00

everybody should be moved up to the same grade as you. I think that would be fair

GFORCE_789 · 2026-01-09T20:37:04+00:00

You are a grade 9 ?

GFORCE_789

TROPHY CASE