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.
Fulton County Local President Ron Briggs speaks out about the county's proposed sale of public health services, as Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members hold signs in support.
A photo of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member Justin Lelonek, Department of Social Services, Erie County Unit and Next Wave member, appeared with a quote about the attacks on public employees and concern over budget cuts.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member Terry Nugent, a senior court analyst at the New York State Board of Law Examiners, now does much of her work electronically, helping the state save thousands of dollars in paper and postage.
Hundreds of union supporters from the Capital Region rally at the state Capitol in Albany on February 26 in support of Wisconsin public employees who lost their collective bargaining rights. Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members participated in rallies across the state.
An illustration by graphic artist Ralph Distin in the May 2011 Work Force published by the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). Giant corporations enjoy huge profits, paying $0 taxes in 2010 while the tax burden fell to the average public employee.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) participated in memorial events in New York City and Albany on March 25 to mark the centennial of Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York's Greenwich Village that claimed the lives of 146 people, mostly young, immigrant women. This photo captures the Triangle Fire memorial display at the Albany event.
The central message at Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s recent Women's Conference was CSEA women ? and men ? have the power to win the battle against unprecedented attacks on workers by politicians, corporate interests and the media. Nearly 500 activists from across the state attended. In this photo CSEA Executive Vice President Mary Sullivan and Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio lead a standing ovation for AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker after Baker's address.
The central message at Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s recent Women's Conference was CSEA women ? and men ? have the power to win the battle against unprecedented attacks on workers by politicians, corporate interests and the media. Nearly 500 activists from across the state attended. In this photo several young Capital Region Girls, Inc. members perform poetry and other readings honoring labor history.
Twenty nursing instructors employed with Eastern Suffolk BOCES (adult/continuing education) recently decertified their union with UPSEU (United Public Service Employees Union) Local 424 to join the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). New BOCES Nursing Instructors Unit officers being sworn in by CSEA Suffolk County Education Employees Local President Maria Navarro, left are President Jim Van Tassel, Vice President Chris Villaneuva, Treasurer Christine McNally, and Secretary Kathleen Parente. The nursing instructors left their former union to get better representation with CSEA.
VOICE/Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) moves into next chapter: More than 200 VOICE/CSEA representatives from across New York State met in Albany where they reminisced and celebrated, retracing Local 100A's roots. They met with public officials and CSEA leaders and ratified an Action Plan moving Local 100A into 2012 with ambitious goals. In this photo, VOICE providers listen to speakers at the VOICE in our Capital conference.
CSEA Village of Rouses Point Unit President Jason Juneau stands by a flooded boat ramp in Rouses Point. As devastating floods swept through Clinton, Essex, Warren and parts of Saratoga counties, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members put their personal lives on hold as they scrambled to help residents and businesses and went into action on a moment's notice, staffing a pumphouse around the clock, delivering and laying sandbags and leading a relief effort that netted 15,000 sandbags.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members filled the room to capacity in a workshop focusing on state contract talks with the Cuomo administration. CSEA members from across the state met at the union's annual Spring Workshop to unite, build and mobilize New York's Leading Union. Activists in attendance learned about the fight ahead to protect the Triborough Amendment and to tell the governor no tax breaks for his rich millionaire friends. In addition to the plenary and mobilization sessions, workshops focused on state government negotiations, on CSEA's "Don't Zone Out" campaign, Working People's History, the CSEA Next Wave movement, and "Uniting for Today, Building for Tomorrow."
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members participated in 2011 Workers Memorial Day remembrance ceremonies across the state to remember those who have passed away or sustained serious injuries while doing their jobs, including the members who have passed away during the past year. These empty chairs represent fallen workers at a Workers Memorial Day ceremony at the state Department of Transportation's Jefferson Residency in Watertown.
Sheri Ambuske, an account clerk typist for the Department of Community Services and Mental Health in Olean, is using social media tools like texting, Twitter and Facebook to recruit new members and post current news for PEOPLE in the mostly rural area. She has already recruited 22 new members. PEOPLE is the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and AFSCME's political action program which protects and improves jobs, benefits and pensions in Washington, Albany and in your community. Sheri Ambuske, left, discusses PEOPLE with her co-worker, Maureen Krueger, at the Cattaraugus County office building.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley recently told state lawmakers the majority of employees who care for people with developmental disabilities have been inaccurately portrayed in a series of New York Times articles alleging systemic abuse in the state developmental disabilities system. Berkley, who has more than 30 years of experience in the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities system as a direct care worker, said CSEA represents 18,000 workers who care for nearly 40,000 individuals with developmental disabilities. She said only a tiny fraction of those employees have ever been brought up on disciplinary charges of any nature, let alone client abuse.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA -represented state Executive Branch employees ratified a contract with New York state that keeps people working and protects rights and benefits. From left, CSEA Statewide Treasurer Joe McMullen, Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley, Executive Vice President Mary E. Sullivan, President Danny Donohue and Director of Contract Administration Ross Hanna take part in a news conference announcing CSEA's state contract ratification.
A photo of Bill Howard, a front line coordinator of the state's response to the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, used in the Special Section of the September 2011 edition of the Work Force, Always Remember: A commemorative 10th anniversary retrospective. In 2001, Howard worked as a deputy director of state operations for then-Governor George Pataki. Today, Howards is the director of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s Employee Benefit Fund.
Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee left their marks on New York, and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members are out in force aiding in the storm recovery, showing the value of public workers across the state. Statewide Treasurer Joe McMullen volunteers with Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene relief efforts in the Greene County town of Prattsville, one of the communities hardest hit by the storm. CSEA members across the state are aiding the recovery with their work and by volunteering.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members honored workers on Labor Day through parades, picnics and other events across the state. In New York City, CSEA also paid a special tribute to all of those lost on September 11, 2001, as the city's Labor Parade coincided with the eve of the 10th anniversary of the attacks. CSEA activists, including Western Region President Flo Tripi, Monroe County Local President Bess Watts, CSEA President Danny Donohue, Western Region activists Debi Sherk and Sally MacDougal lead CSEA's delegation during the Rochester Labor Day Parade.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members honored workers on Labor Day through parades, picnics and other events across the state. In New York City, CSEA also paid a special tribute to all of those lost on September 11, 2001, as the city's Labor Parade coincided with the eve of the 10th anniversary of the attacks. Erie County Local activists, including Local President Joan Bender, second from left, front row, march in the Buffalo Labor Parade.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members honored workers on Labor Day through parades, picnics and other events across the state. In New York City, CSEA also paid a special tribute to all of those lost on September 11, 2001, as the city's Labor Parade coincided with the eve of the 10th anniversary of the attacks. CSEA members prepare to march along the parade route in New York City.
Hundreds of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) officers and activists renewed the union's commitment to lifting all working people, on and off the job, at the 101st Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City. CSEA Statewide Treasurer Joe McMullen, Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo and Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley, center, rally along with other CSEA officers and delegates at New York City Hall to support District Council 37 members who have been targeted for layoffs.
Hundreds of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) officers and activists renewed the union's commitment to lifting all working people, on and off the job, at the 101st Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City. Metropolitan Region delegates Yvonne Thomas and David Augustin, both Quality Services for the Autism Community (QSAC) Local activists, take notes during a workshop.
Hundreds of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) officers and activists renewed the union's commitment to lifting all working people, on and off the job, at the 101st Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City. Levittown School District Unit activist Lisa Vanderburg was presented at the Annual Delegates Meeting with the 2011 New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA)/CSEA Excelsior Award. From left are Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte, Vanderburg, Nassau Educational Local President Monica Berkowitz and Levittown School District Unit President Roger Degroff.
Town of Hempstead Local member A.J. Smith discusses the PEOPLE program with another Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member. Smith was the PEOPLE recruiter of the month for September 2011.
More than 80 educational support workers for the Potsdam School District recently turned out to protest a stalemate in their contract negotiations. The high cost of health care forced the workers to reject a district proposal that would have raised workers' out of pocket expenses. At the same time, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members are upset that they earn the lowest wages, but pay 13 percent higher premiums than district teachers.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Oswego County Local President Ken Greenleaf and Central Region Executive Vice President and St. Lawrence County Local President Betty Thomas react to the 44-degree water of Oneida Lake as they take the plunge at the Polar Plunge at Oneida Shores. The event benefited the Special Olympics.
Mark Brantley, a senior management analyst and administrator for the New York County Clerk's Office and member of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), stands on the steps of the state Supreme Court Building in Manhattan.
Ruby Mims, center, of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Erie County Local in the Western Region is PEOPLE recruiter for the month of December, 2009.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members Robbie Ellis, who also serves as Livingston County Local President (left), and Alise Rounsville brave icy Lake Ontario during the Rochester Polar Plunge February 14, 2011.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio demands respect for CFS (Child and Family Service) workers at a rally, surrounded by CFS workers and other supporters.
Gloria Smith of the Upstate Medical Center Local in the Central Region was PEOPLE Recruiter for the month of January, 2010. Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) PEOPLE (Public Employees Organized for Political and Legislative Equality) program protects and improves jobs, benefits and pensions in Washington, D.C., Albany and local communities.
Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson Unit member Larry Lawless uses a backhoe to clear snow from village fire hydrants. While village residents suffered widespread power outages and downed trees, the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) work force did an excellent job keeping the roads clear, enabling utility crews to restore power.
?Nearly 100 Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members in the Long Island Region demonstrate outside the district offices of New York State Senator Brian Foley. Foley and Senator Craig Johnson joined with the New York State Senate's Democratic leadership in calling for thousands of state workers to be laid off. They were among several Democratic senators CSEA targeted across the state for proposing the layoff scheme.
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.