Joseph E. McDermott served as the 21st president of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) from 1988 until 1994. McDermott steered the union through extremely tough economic times for the state. He successfully staved off attempts by lawmakers to raid public employee pension funds for other state spending purposes. McDermott helped professionalize CSEA departments and staff and his work force planning initiatives enabled CSEA to work with employers to find better ways of doing business in a changing economy.
This Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) cartoon, by CSEA graphic artist Ralph Distin, highlights the danger of unhealthy repetitive working conditions. After establishing its own Occupational Safety and Health Department, CSEA took on a leadership role fighting for worksite protections, including landmark VDT and ergonomics standards in the 1980s and 90s.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President William L. McGowan (1977-88) at a press conference announcing a contract settlement for the union's state worker membership.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President William L. McGowan (1977-88), left, at a meeting in Assembly Speaker Stanley Fink's office. Fink is on the phone.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President William L. McGowan (1977-88), left, talks with Michael DelGuidice, Secretary to Governor Mario Cuomo.
This Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) cartoon, by CSEA graphic artist Ralph Distin, criticized school districts for contracting out services provided by school employees to private contractors (Circa 1981). The caricature features the familiar and ethically challenged JR Ewing character made famous by actor Larry Hagman on the hit TV series "Dallas."
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Executive Vice President Joseph E. McDermott, CSEA President William L. McGowan (1977-88) and AFSCME President Jerry Wurf confer at an AFSCME Executive Board Meeting at AFSCME Headquarters in Washington D.C. McGowan spearheaded CSEA's 1978 affiliation with the international union, making CSEA its largest affiliate.