Donna Mead, a Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)-represented school aide at the Port Jervis School District in Orange County, is being honored by her co-workers for saving a kindergarten student's life. When Mead noticed the boy, Matthew Fitterer, choking on cereal, she jumped into action and within seconds she successfully performed the Heimlich Maneuver on the child. Matthew was so grateful that he brought Mead flowers the next day. In the photo are Mead and Matthew Fitterer.
Probation Officers and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members Sue Cirencione, left, and Kevin Case, helped save an Ontario County woman's life. Cirencione and Case received a chief's citation award from the county in honor of their diligence and hard work
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) state Department of Taxation and Finance activist Willie Terry speaks at a Capital District labor group meeting. Terry, a past president of the state Department of Taxation and Finance Local in New York City and a CSEA member for 28 years, received the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist's (CBTU) Capital District Chapter's 2009 Nadra Floyd Membership Award.
More than 1,000 Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Onondaga County Localmembers shut down the street outside a county budget hearing, demanding a better budget.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Executive Vice President Mary Sullivan is presented with the Capital District Women's Employment & Resource Center's Harriet Rifkin Leadership Award by the center's Board Chairman Glenn Clermont. Sullivan was honored for her longtime efforts to advance working women. She also serves as the officer liaison to CSEA's statewide Women's Committee. The private, not-for-profit group helps women find success in the workplace by building their economic and personal independence.
Former Governor George Pataki recorded a video interview for the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) 100 History Project. Pataki shared his perspective on his relationship with CSEA throughout his time in office. For more than 10 years CSEA conducted interviews with key individuals who played a role in CSEA's history to be archived at the University at Albany's Grenander Special Collections. The interviews were also used as part of the CSEA history book and video documentary for the union's 100th anniversary in 2010.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members pass out information to the public attending the parade at the Otsego County Faiir in 2008 to gain public support during their contract struggle.
Canastota Schools Groundsworkers Nick Campbell and Richard Mitchell rake some new topsoil on top of the dirt at home plate to prepare the playing field at the school for spring's baseball season.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Western Region President Flo Tripi, right, rallies Monroe County members during a demonstration outside the county office building. Members protested the county's unfair labor practices, which have included Taylor Law violations, attempts to weaken the union, and a "whistleblower hotline" that encourages people to report "illegal" or "unethical" behavior by CSEA members.
Bronx Psychiatric Center Local President Abraham Benjamin, Metropolitan Region Executive Vice President Lester Crockett and Health Research Inc. Local President Deb Hanna, far right, join other members on the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) float at the 2009 New York City Labor Parade.
Marcia Gould, a Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member in Monroe County Social Services, adds a "Stand Up For Probation" sticker to her T-shirt before a recent Monroe County Legislature meeting.
Warren County workers and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members, including Warren County Unit President Mark Murray, far right, demonstrate in front of the county's municipal center.
Cover of the November, 2009, Work Force. A Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Onondaga County worker, with a child who carries the sign: "Don't Cut My Mommy's Job," joined more than 1,000 other Local members, clad in black CSEA shirts, demonstrating outside a county budget hearing. CSEA successfully stopped the threat to reduce the work schedules of 2,149 full-time county workers.
Nassau County Local 2nd Vice President Lynne Kramer speaks to members at the nursing station at Nassau University Medical Center about contract violations and union-busting tactics.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Buffalo State College Local President Jerry Richmond, addresses a crowd during the dedication ceremony for "Arch D'Boot," a towering sculpture built from workers' boots. The sculpture is a tribute of the importance of what the workers at Buffalo State College do every day to help the college run.
An illustration by Graphic Artist Ralph Distin, titled The Ant and the Grasshopper, depicts that health care workers should prepare for new strains of flu while state health administrators have no comprehensive strategy to address the health issue.
Capital District Psychiatric Center Local Vice President Dwayne Parsons, left, congratulates Carl Shank who was honored for his dedication, hard work and longevity. At the time of this photograph, Shank was 85 years old and still working with no plans to retire.
VOICE/Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and CCPT-NY child care providers show their approval for a contract agreement at a negotiating session.
Southold Unit members listen to unit and local leaders explain the agreement putting an end to town Supervisor Scott Russell's plan to lay off 10 percent of the town work fore and severely cut the quality of public services.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)statewide Secretary Denise Berkley swore in new Department of State Local officers at an event at Troy's Joe Bruno Stadium. Berkley was also on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for that night's ValleyCats game. Berkley poses with ValleyCats fan Dylan Mendez, son of Department of State Local member Anna Mendez, and two ValleyCats players.
From left, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members Betty Robinson, Health Research Inc. Local President Deb Hanna, Damaris Rodriguez, Lizette Smoak, newly elected AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, Suzy Lopez, and Division of Housing Local President Janet Ventrano-Torres. Trumka and his officers held a news conference on Wall Street.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members from the Southern Region march up 5th Avenue in Manhattan during the New York City 2009 Labor Parade.
Stephen Delair, Sunmount Developmental Center Local, was a first time attendee at the 99th Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting.
Capital District DDSO Local President Joseph Howard and Western New York DDSO Local President Dawn Smith with certificates of appreciation they received from the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Diana Jones Ritter and John Monteiro, Deputy Commissioner for Workforce and Talent Development. Both are retiring from state service.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) was a proud major sponsor of the WPBS-TV "All Star Auction" in Watertown in 2009. Dozens of CSEA volunteers from around the North Country helped the TV station answer phones, sell auction items, and work behind the scenes to make the magic happen and raise money for the last night of the annual television auction.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) workers at the newly opened DMV office on Central Avenue in Albany in 1972. Photo is from the New York state Archives.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Lifespire Local President Pam Marshall, right, with bullhorn, leads CSEA members in demonstrating for a fair contract outside the Empire State building in Manhattan.
City of Saratoga Springs Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members demonstrate outside of a state Conference of Mayors function in the Spa City. The workers were demonstrating over stalled contract talks with Saratoga Springs Mayor Scott Johnson.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) activists demonstrate outside Newburgh Town Hall. Former Unit President Katherine Otis, one of the town's layoff targets, is third from right.
Ruby Mims, Erie County Local member, was a PEOPLE recruiter for the month of July, 2009. PEOPLE stands for Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue leads CSEA members and activists, including Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte, Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo, statewide Secretary Denise Berkley, Western Region President Flo Tripi and Central Region President Colleen Wheaton, in a demonstration in front of Erie County's Rath Building.
Civil Service Employees Association CSEA members, led by Onondaga County Local President Phil Graham, statewide President Danny Donohue, Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli and Central Region President Colleen Wheaton, march in the 2009 Syracuse Labor Day Parade at the state fairgrounds.
Western Region President Flo Tripi speaks on the importance of health care for all during a press conference before the 2009 Rochester Labor Day parade.
Kim Kopp, Sunmount Development Center Local, was a first-time attendee to the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) 99th Annual Delegates Meeting.
State Office of Children and Family Services Local President Richard Chaffin discusses national health care reform with local member Kerry Simonds during the local's 5th annual "I Scream" event in Rensselaer, which raises awareness each year about a hot political issue, informs the membership and "spurs debate."
Judy Richards, Pat Gooden and Lee Pound, shown at the 25th annual Retiree Delegates Meeting in 2009, were chosen to lead the union's Statewide Retiree Committee.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Western Region President Flo Tripi introduces CSEA President Danny Donohue, left, during a news conference held during CSEA's Spring Workshop to address Monroe County management's attacks on part-time workers. Tripi is flanked by all the other CSEA statewide officers and Monroe County CSEA activists.
From left, Bess Watts and Pat Martinez, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members in the Monroe County Community College Unit, Todd Plank of the Empire State Pride Agenda, and union member Neil Kirby of the New York City State Employees Local participate on a panel on marriage equality. The workshop, held during the 2009 annual Spring Workshop in Rochester, focused on marriage equality, domestic partnership, civil unions, and the movement toward equality for everyone.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member and Broome Developmental Center Local President Deborah Davenport received a certificate of appreciation from Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Diana Jones Ritter and John Monteiro, Deputy Commissioner for Workforce and Talent Development. Davenport is retiring after more than 34 years of state service.
Among those addressing a VOICE and CCPT-NY Leadership summit in Albany were William Gettman Jr., executive deputy commissioner of the state Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio was honored by the New York Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) with its Distinguished Service Award.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Occupational Safety and Health Specialist Lynnet Witherell, left, writes down the violence concerns of library worker Yvonne Fuller, right, during workplace violence prevention training for library employees. Fuller was at an evening program at the Liverpool Library with her young children 15 years ago when a man lurking outside the library shot and killed his wife as she left the library. She is now an employee of the library. At the time of the murder, library workers feared for their safety, but weren't sure how to best respond to protect themselves and their patrons.
Canastota Schools Groundsworkers Nick Campbell and Richard Mitchell carry bleacher seating to the inside of the track to set up for an athletic event at the school.
Long Island Region members, including Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte and Nassau County Local President Jerry Laricchiuta, demonstrate in front of the Rat, which has been in front of the Nassau University Medical Center since July 17, 2009.
Joseph Lochner, known as "Mr. CSEA," was Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) first employee and would remain an employee for the next 45 years. Photo was taken around the time of his retirement in 1975.
Albany County Unit members and their supporters demonstrate before a county legislature meeting to protest the five planned furlough days which cut public services and hit county workers in the wallet.
A powerful flood knocked a hole in a brick wall in a Silver Creek Department of Public Works building. The department lost all its buildings and almost all its equipment in the flooding.
Suffolk County Local President Bill Walsh addresses the Southold Town Board after a Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) demonstration outside the Southold town hall against a proposal by the town supervisor to lay off 10 percent of the town work force and severely curtail the quality of resident services in the process.
Southold Unit member Ev Corwin, left, and unit President Tom Skabry urge town officials to "show some respect" to workers during a Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) demonstration outside the Southold town hall against a proposal by the town supervisor to lay off 10 percent of the town work force and severely curtail the quality of resident services in the process.
Mental Health Therapy Aide Sandra Martine tells Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) OSH Project Developer Matt Kozak about her assault by a patient at Bronx Psychiatric Center as part of a DVD CSEA is producing to help CSEA leaders and activists reduce the risk of violence at their work sites.
From left, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Central Region Women's Committee Chair Cathy Barretta and committee members Carmina Russo, Linda Stiefel, and Ann Marie Ellis collect hundreds of undergarments for women and children to be donated to women's shelters across the region as part of the "Underneath it all, we've got you covered" clothing drive held at the region's recent spring conference. Central Region members donated the clothing.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member Santos Guzman, a carpenter at Helen Hayes Hospital, in an area of the hospital he is helping renovate.
Ken Allen, executive director of AFSCME Oregon Council 75, which as the first AFSCME affiliate to achieve a collective bargaining agreement like those in VOICE and CCPT, spoke to a group of activists attending the VOICE and CCPT-NY Leadership Summit in Albany.
Gary Farrell, 48, a state Department of Transportation highway maintenance worker, died Nov. 2, 2009, after being struck by a vehicle while he was working as a flagger.
Wally Green of the Suffolk County Local in the Long Island Region is the PEOPLE Recruiter of the Month for October. PEOPLE stands for Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) activist Betty Lennon greets a visitor to the CSEA table at the 2009 Clinton County Fair. CSEA's traveling history banner was on display at the fair.
Cover of the October, 2009, Work Force. In Erie County, hundreds of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members attending CSEA's 99th Annual Delegates Meeting joined with members of the CSEA Erie County Unit to rally in front of the county's Rath Building in downtown Buffalo. The county executive, Chris Collins, systematically has been dismantling county services and undermining CSEA representatives.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members and their children deliver the message during the 2009 Buffalo Labor Day parade that affordable health care is a right.
Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo, Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte, statewide Secretary Denise Berkley and Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio lead the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)delegation in the 2009 New York City Labor Parade.
From left, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Silver Creek Unit member Brianna Griewisch, unit President Joe Reed, and unit members Gary Grover, Jeff Griewisch and Bill Quinn continue to work out of a parking lot following a flood that destroyed the village's public works building.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) State Department of Transportation Erie Residency Local member Joe Pericozzi attended the 99th Annual Delegates Meeting.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo speaks out against a proposed merger of Sullivan County BOCES with Orange-Ulster BOCES at a public hearing held February 12, 2009 at Liberty High School.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Executive Vice President Mary Sullivan marches in a demonstration in front of New York state Farm Bureau Headquarters in Albany to urge state senators to pass legislation granting equal workers' rights to farm workers.
Cover of the December, 2009, Work Force. Workers from the St. Lawrence County Local demonstrate for a fair contract as local budget pressures mount across the state.
Liverpool Library workers listen to the presentations about the library's new workplace violence prevention program. Part of New York's workplace violence prevention legislation in 2006, which Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) led the way to passing, requires employers to work with labor to ensure an effective workplace violence prevention program is in place. Liverpool Library has proved to be an example of how public employers can help reduce the risk of violence for workers and the public.
State Department of Transportation Syracuse Local members Chuck Weiland, left, and John DeBottis display the AED device they used to save co-worker Dick Metott's life.
Damaris Samolinski, far right, a VOICE/Civil Service Employees ssociation (CSEA) activist from Suffolk County, speaks at a rally to show support for comprehensive health care reform legislation that was also attended by other CSEA activists and other labor representatives. Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte led the rally near a busy intersection off Route 107 in Hicksville that included members from the Oyster Bay 881 and Touro College locals. CSEA/VOICE member and Childcare educator Luisa Lucera also spoke at the rally.
Leslie Walls, James E. Christian Memorial Health Department in Albany, attended the 99th Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) activists Shekema Brown, left, and Kathy Hartwig get to know each other during a break in the town hall meeting held during the 99th Annual Delegates Meeting.
Officer Aaron Dean of the Newark Police Department in Wayne County, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Western Region, approaches a vehicle during a traffic stop on the village's main street.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) activist and Orangetown Unit President Mike Menegaux received the CSEA Local Government Mission Achievement Award.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member Amy Simmons, St. Lawrence County Local Secretary, attended the 2009 annual Spring Workshop in Rochester.
Bronx Children's Psychiatric Center Local activist Rosemarie Richards is all smiles after purchasing raffle tickets Friday afternoon at the PEOPLE table during the 2009 annual Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Spring Workshop. CSEA's PEOPLE program protects and improves jobs, benefits, and pensions in Washington, D.C., Albany, and local communities.
VOICE and CCPT-NY activists listen to speakers at an Albany summit for the two groups. Leaders from Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) VOICE and CCPT-NY child care groups met in Albany to advance CSEA's advocacy role with childhood educators.
Among those addressing a VOICE and CCPT-NY Leadership summit in Albany were New York State Assembly member Susan John. The summit brought together leaders from both child care campaigns, as well as state leaders and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) statewide officers.
Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works Unit President Gary Benincasa, right, presents Mark Roberts, left, and Mark Milks, center, with certificates of recognition by the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) unit. The two public works employees are credited with saving the life of a stabbing victim.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Orange County Unit member Nick Ercoline, right, and his wife, Bobbi, embrace in an image taken at the Woodstock Festival in August 1969. The image was later used on the cover of a live album from Woodstock. The Ercolines eventually married and are still together.
In Erie County, hundreds of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members attending CSEA's 99th Annual Delegates Meeting joined with members of the CSEA Erie County Unit to rally in front of the county's Rath Building in downtown Buffalo. Erie County Unit President Joan Bender addressed the crowd. The county executive, Chris Collins, systematically has been dismantling county services and undermining CSEA representatives.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members gut a Gowanda resident's house following the flooding as part of the cleanup effort, with the volunteers removing everything right down to the studs.
Kingsboro Psychiatric Center Local Vice President Crispin Booker, top, holding Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) sign, and Division of Housing Local President Janet Ventrano-Torres, right of sign, and other CSEA members demonstrate in front of New York Governor David Paterson's midtown Manhattan office in May as CSEA fought the governor's proposal to lay off 8,700 workers.
?Sally MacDougal, right, of Steuben County, and other Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members, listen to presenters during a workshop on preventing workplace violence at the 2009 annual Spring Workshop.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue, left, and Central Region President Colleen Wheaton, right, congratulate Mike Kaiser, a CSEA State Police Troop D Local activist and a 27-year police communications specialist with the New York State Police in Oneida, for receiving the 2009 State Mission Achievement Award.