A police escort was provided to the City of Glen Cove Unit members as their convoy heads south to Long Beach to help with Sandy cleanup efforts. Workers packed one truck with parts to repair their vehicles on the fly if necessary and not waste any time.
Woodworker John Parmiter replaces the trim on an office door at the town of Hempstead Department of Public Works building after it was flooded during Sandy.
A dinghy represents the variety of debris Sanitary District No. 2 workers in Nassau County dealt with in Sandy cleanup. Coincidentally, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members had recently helped defeat a proposed dissolution of the district, saving 68 jobs and assuring uninterrupted delivery of public services during nature's worst.
Lancaster Blue Collar Unit President Mike Rath, left, Depew Boys & Girls Club Director Jeff Kupka, Depew Blue Collar Unit President Lew Heltman, Depew White Collar Unit President Sharon Quinn, Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Dave Hoch and Depew Blue Collar Unit member Robert Miechowicz discuss the damaged game room at the Depew Boys & Girls Club. The building, which was built in the 1920s and occupied by the Boys & Girls Club since 1936, suffered significant fire damage early in January.
Rochester State Employees Local activist Kim Whitlock was honored for her attendance and service as a delegate to the Rochester Labor Council at a labor dinner
Western Region President Flo Tripi, left, congratulates Monroe County Local activist Ove Overmyer on being named Working Families Advocate of the Year by the Rochester Labor Council.
Schecnectady County Highway workers Len Demers, Ralph Angerami, Tim Deffer, John Roth, Joe Sangiovanni, Chris Smith and Mike France prepare to deliver the gifts to the family.
David Lee of the Binghamton University Local in the Central Region was the PEOPLE recruiter of the month for November, 2012. The Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) PEOPLE program protects and improves our jobs, benefits and pensions in Washington, Albany and in the community.
An illustration by Jeanne A. Benas of the Jeanne A. Benas Art Studio shows the impact of the New York State 2013-2014 Executive Budget on "Main Street" and the risk to the value of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members in the community.
A convoy of state Department of Transportation snowplows from upstate New York works its way through Long Island, NY to help with snow removal from Nemo, a major nor'easter snow storm that struck in February, 2013.
An illustration by Graphic Artist Ralph Distin depicts the value of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members as public sector employees in cleaning up after natural disasters like Nemo, the massive snowstorm that hit much of New York state during the winter of 2013.
Bayview Correctional Facility, New York state's last remaining women's prison south of the Tappan Zee Bridge, located next to high-priced condominiums and apartments in the Chelsea, NY neighborhood, will soon close as part of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's budget proposal.
Supporters of the Chemung County Nursing Facility fill the Chemung County legislative chambers to show their opposition to privatizing the county nursing facility.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Central Region President Colleen Wheaton speaks out in support of not selling Onondaga county's Van Duyn Home & Hospital nursing home to a local development corporation (LDC) at an Onondaga County Legislature public hearing in fall 2012.
Office of People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Commissioner Courtney Burke speaks with members of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) OMH/OPWDD Advisory Committee at a meeting in Albany about improving employee morale while the agency proceeds to move work to private agencies and undermine the future for CSEA members and the communities in which they work.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Capital District Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) Local President Bill Loya at a function concerning CSEA members' need to fight to protect decent paying, middle-class jobs.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member Veronica Robinson, a Direct Support Assistant at the Snow Hill IRA in Syracuse helps Gerry, one of the residents at her group home, put together a puzzle.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) Local President and Office of People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Statewide Labor Management Chair Kathy Button speaking on how state policies are hurting the quality of care at OPWDD.
SUNY Downstate Local members lobby state legislators in their Albany offices about a reported restructuring that threatens the loss of thousands of jobs.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Metropolitan Region President Lester Crockett testifies before the New York state Assembly Health Committee that the economic benefits of SUNY Downstate MEdical Center to Brooklyn, NY and surrounding areas far outweigh the savings that would result from privatization of the hospital.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Central Region President Colleen Wheaton, third from left, joins about 50 other plungers from the Central Region "Polar Peeps" team in the frigid waters of Oneida Lake December 2012. The CSEA group was, once again, the largest fund-raising team at the event "Freezin' for a Reason", exceeding their fund raising goal of $15,000. Also pictured are Team Co-Captains Tammy Witteman, second from left, and Casey Walpole, fifth from left.
Department of Transportation crews from the Hudson Valley help clear the Long Island Expressway of the snow dumped there by Nemo, the massive snowstorm that affected New York and much of the Northeast during the winter of 2013.
Town of Brookhaven Highway Unit member Billy Peters removes snow from a road dumped there by Nemo, the massive snowstorm that affected much of New York and the Northeast in February 2013.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members Barbara Ilardi, left, and Kris Boyle help host a documentary screening for county workers on the dangers of obesity and heart disease.
Polla Milligan of the Food Bank of Western New York, left, receives a check for $3,700 from Denise Szymura, Erie County Local Women's Committee chair. The committee raised the money through an auction basket benefitting the food bank. Local members are urged to make food or monetary donations to the food bank. Since 2004, the local and its Women's Committee have donated a total of $28,215 and 4,161 pounds of food to the food bank.
Kevin Kumor of the Erie County Local in the Western Region was the PEOPLE Recruiter of the Month for December 2012. CSEA's PEOPLE program protects and improves our jobs, benefits and pensions in Washington, Albany and in your community.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member and Developmental Assistant at Hudson Valley DDSO Donovan Dixon, makes a point during a meeting held recently on the DDSO campus in Thiells, NY relating to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's plans and job security.
Capital Region Head Start and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members discussed specific concerns with United States Representative Paul Tonko after he spoke at the Capital Region Spring Conference about the dangers of the federal government's budget sequestration and its effect on working families. 750,000 jobs could be lost and government services including Head Start, meat inspection and border security will be reduced if this continues through 2013.
The Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) Executive Vice President Mary E. Sullivan speaks during a news conference calling for a reality check on New York state's mental health policies. From left, Public Employees Federation President Susan Kent, Sullivan, CSEA Statewide Treasurer Joseph McMullen, and CSEA Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley.
An illustration by Graphic Artist Ralph Distin depicts how the loss of decent middle-class jobs must be considered in any analysis of economic development and recovery.
Erie County Local Executive Vice President Denise Szymura looks at a serving line in the new Terrace View public nursing home. The new home that replaces the 87-year-old Erie County Home and Infirmary, adjacent to the Erie County Medical Center, will save about $1 million annually in patient costs and is expected to reduce operating losses by about 60 percent.
Certified Nursing Assistant Lindsey Atkins spends a few minutes comforting Cayuga County Nursing Home resident Morris Bigness as the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) continues to fight for the future of senior care in Cayuga County.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue, right, and AFSCME International President Lee Saunders, left, during the 2013 AFSCME Lobby Day.
From left, the Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) Central Region members Lynne Durant, Diane Billings, and Fred Gerloff lobby Assembly member Addie Russell over issues affecting their region during the 2013 AFSCME Lobby Day.
Orange County Unit Secretary Linda Jansen, center, discusses her concern over state aid cuts with Assemblyman James Skoufis. Jansen is accompanied by actvists from the Newburgh School District Unit.
The Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley and Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo answer questions from Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilites Services Office (DDSO) members concerning New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's plans for Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) Local President Basil Townsend hands out member contact information cards to Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member Gwendolyn Vassel.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Activist Monica Streets asks a question during the meeting at Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) concerning New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's plans for the Office of People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
North Colonie Central School District custodians Scott Vertefeuille, left, and Mike Hebert stand before an Automated Electronic Defibrillator (AED) device which they recently used to save the life of a man who had a heart attack while playing basketball.
The Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) Statewide and Long Island Region PEOPLE Committee Chair Rutha Bush, far left, discusses the PEOPLE program with Southern Region PEOPLE Committee Chair Reuben Simmons, Western Region PEOPLE Committee Chair Maria Johnson and Metropolitan Region PEOPLE Committee Chair Marie Rogers during the AFSCME Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.
From left, Civil Service Employee Association's (CSEA) PEOPLE Coordinator Cheryl Palmer, Western Region PEOPLE Committee Chair Maria Johnson, CSEA Statewide and Long Island Region PEOPLE Committee Chair Rutha Bush, CSEA President Danny Donohue, Metropolitan Region PEOPLE Committee Chair Marie Rogers and Southern Region PEOPLE Committee Chair Reuben Simmons at the AFSCME Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.
The Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) Central Region members march in the 2013 Syracuse St. Patrick's Day Parade as a part of the Greater Syracuse Labor Council delegation.
From left, Clarence Central School District bus drivers Patty Reitz, Linda Helmbrecht, Debbie Hoffman, Diana Cooper and Williamsville bus driver Debbie Morley promote the importantance of the service they provide to the community during the annual Polar Plunge in Rochester. The five plunged into icy Lake Ontario along with other Western Region Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members in support of the Special Olympics.
Plungers dressed as Star Wars characters Darth Vader and a storm trooper show their support to Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members taking the chilly plunge into the Long Island Sound at the Polar Plunge in Port Washington's North Hempstead Beach Park.
Sumi Abedin, a garment worker who survived a factory fire last November (2012) that killed 112 Bangladeshi workers, along with Bangladeshi Labor Activist Kalpona Akter, came to Albany to speak out, urging New York state to adopt a Sweatshop-Free Procurement Policy that includes fire safety measures. From left, Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley, Executive Vice President Mary E. Sullivan, Akter, Abedin, and Statewide Treasurer Joe McMullen.
From left, Suffolk County Sheriff Vincent DeMarco, Long Island Region Political Action Coordinator Gretchen Penn and Assistant to the Sheriff Butch Langhorn discuss the ramifications of the state's continued funding cuts to mental health services.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members from CSEA's Rockland County Unit say no to transferring the Summit Park Nursing Care Center to a local development corporation.
New York State Canal Authority workers are dwarfed by an immense flood gate structure as they lower flood gates at Erie Canal Lock 8 in Rotterdam in 2012. Canal workers were critical in clearing debris and repairing locks and infrastructure following devastating storms in 2012. Now, thanks to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's politically motivated layoffs, there will be fewer workers for this type of work.
From left, the Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) Metropolitan Political Action Coordinator Matthew D'Amico and Lottery Marketing Representative John Montelbano meet with State Assemblyman Micah Z. Kellner, far right, and his staff about privatizing and other issues at the New York State Lottery.
The Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley speaking to members of CSEA that work in the New York State Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) about New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's state budget.
Metropolitan Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) Local President and Direct Support Assistant Evans Quarmina speaking about New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's state budget.
Western Region President Flo Tripi makes a point to Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members during the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities' (OPWDD) roadshow regarding New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's state budget.
Central Region President Colleen Wheaton makes a point to Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members during the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities' (OPWDD) roadshow regarding New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's state budget.
Sonya Emery, left, and her husband Rich, are two of the nearly 500 Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Western Region members who pledged last month (April 2013) to fight for middle class jobs for all.
The Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) Executive Vice President Mary E. Sullivan welcomes attendees at the 2013 Women's Conference in Rye Brook, NY.
The Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) President Danny Donohue, front center, poses with Women's Committee members and first-time conference attendees at the 2013 Women's Conference in Rye Brook, NY.
The Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) Women's Committee members congratulate Rose Conti on receiving the Irene Carr Leadership Award. From left, Metropolitan Region member Clarissa Mitchell, Capital Region member Gwen Parsons, Western Region member Sabrina Mitchell, Long Island Region member Cheryl Iannone, Chair Jacqueline Stanford, Officer Liaison Mary E. Sullivan, Rose Conti, Sourthern Region member Karen Pecora, Central Region member Cathy Barretta and committee Adviser Sharon Lovelady-Hall.
The Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) President Danny Donohue, left, and Western Region President Flo Tripi, right, congratulate Western Region activist Rose Conti on receiving the Irene Carr Leadership Award.
Members of the Youth Arts Group perform street theater at the Union Square Green Market to draw attention to the plight of farmworkers amidst a seven day tour throughout New York state.
Nearly two dozen CSEA members and friends took part in the 15th annual Fishkill Polar Plunge on Feb. 23, 2013, benefiting the athletes and programs of Special Olympics New York. Many of the Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) team members this year were repeat participants, including Ulster County Unit President Todd Schmidt (left) and Dutchess Education Local President Scott Rajczi.
Maria Johnson of the Buffalo Psychiatric Center Local in the Western Region is the PEOPLE Recruiter for the month of March, 2013. The Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) PEOPLE program protects and improves our jobs, benefits and pensions in Washington, Albany and in your community.
The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) joins a broad coalition of faith, labor and community leaders to call on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to save vital health care services for the people and communities of Central Brooklyn at SUNY Downstate Medical Hospital as Rev. Al Sharpton addresses the crowd.
Metropolitan Region President Lester Crocket, left, and SUNY Downstate Medical Center Local President Althea Green-Pruitt take part in a demonstration demanding that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo keep the teaching hospital open.
An illustration by Graphic Artist Ralph Distin titled "Right Fight Knight" depicts unions and workers fighting for dignity and fairness for all against poor working conditions and lack of job protections for groups such as garment workers in Bangladesh and farm workers in New York state.
Wayne County overestimated spending and underestimated revenue during the years 2007-2011 resulting in $59.1 million in surplus funding while claiming the county was in the hole. Wayne County Local President Paul Peters, at podium, and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue.
Delores Huerta, a co-founder of the United Farm Workers, speaks at a rally in Albany, NY urging state legislators to support justice for farm workers and pass the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act.
CSEA is calling on Lockport Mayor Michael Tucker and the City Council to scrap their misguided plan to send taxpayer money out of town and outsource the city's ambulance billing. The union has filed an improper practice charge against the city with the state Public Employment Relations Board, stating work performed by the current administrative coordinator has been exclusive bargaining unit work for close to three decades. Caption reads: Barb Parker does ambulance billing work that is being outsourced by the City of Lockport. The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) is fighting that action by filing an improper practice charge against the city with theNew York state Public Employment Relations Boards stating that work performed by the current administrative coordinator has been an exclusive bargaining unit work for close to 30 years.
Bangladeshi Labor Activist Kalpona Akter translates Sumi Abedin's horrific story to New York state labor leaders, the New York State Labor-Religion Coalition and other social justice activists seeking a sweat-free New York and hoping to put pressure on major retailers who refuse to pay compensation for lost and unpaid wages for those injured.
State parks workers Richard Van Horn, left, and Matt Lemonis repair a section of the boardwalk leading to Jones Beach after Hurricane Sandy inflicted $100 million in damage to Long Island's state parks and beaches. Parks workers across Long Island have been working to get state, county, town and village parks ready for the summer season after Hurricane Sandy's devastating damage last fall.
Erie Next Wave members Laurie Santiago, left, Alison Schoonover, Keith Ralph and Rachel Casey celebrated Earth Day by cleaning a Buffalo waterfront park, using the opportunity to reach out to their community and help educate children about not littering.
City of Rochester Library Workers Unit Treasurer Lorry Wisse and President Ove Overmyer celebrate National Library Week by accepting a dozen copies of The Main Street Moment: "Fighting Back to Save the American Dream", a book by former AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee and current AFSCME President Lee Saunders that points out the ongoing attacks on middle-class working people and how Americans are fighting back.
Photo of the Month, January, 2010. Nurse Assistant Certified Sarah Kennedy, left, and Nurse Assistant Martina Donnelly lift a New York State Veterans Home at Oxford resident into his bed using one of the facility's new ceiling lifts. Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members worked with CSEA's Occupational Safety and Health Department to urge the state to install the lifts in the new home. The lifts greatly reduce patient and worker injuries, reducing insurance costs for home operators.
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.
Wantagh Library Unit members and members from the Nassau Municipal Employees Local demonstrated in front of the library to urge library board officials to settle a contract with Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)-represented library employees, who have been working without a contract for six months.
Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte urges the Southampton Town Council to not balance the town budget on the backs of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)-represented workers.
Town of Southampton Unit members Philip Milo, Marie Deuel and Tom Cartino fight for respect for Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)-represented individuals during a demonstration to speak out against Supervisor Linda Kabot's budget proposal that would lay off 49 town workers, close the town animal shelter and contract out two of the four town waste transfer stations.
Wendy Nashid-Jackson, a licensed family child care provider and VOICE member from Mount Vernon in Westchester County, cares for two young children in this 2009 file photo. During the past year, more than 1,000 public employees formed a union with Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). This is in addition to the 7,500 licensed family child care providers (VOICE) and the 17,000 license exempt child care providers who now have a first contract with the state Office of Children and Family Services.
More than 45 Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Central Region "Polar Peeps" team members were among the first "plungers" to enter Oneida Lake at the Polar Plunge at Oneida Shores to benefit the Special Olympics. The team was the largest team and largest fund-raiser at the event, bringing in more than $17,500.
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.
The Albany Public Library recently celebrated its newest branch in the city's Pine Hills neighborhood. The grand opening on Dec. 5, 2009, drew hundreds of patrons and families. Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members staff the library. Collection Management Librarian Diedre Lisio shows off the large collection of Japanese Manga, or Anime.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) activist Sheri Ambuski is part of CSEA's Next Wave initiative, or "Under 35 initiative," which is designed to extend a hand to younger CSEA members and develop the union's future.
Photo of the Month, February, 2010. Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Town of Manlius Highway Unit activist David Hale shows off a town snowplow to the Lion and Bear Dens of Cub Scout Pack 369 in Fayetteville/Manlius. Hale regularly makes presentations to elementary school children and community groups like the Cub Scouts.
Illustration by graphic artist Ralph Distin depicts the beginning a year-long celebration of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) centennial.
Certified Nurse Aides Carina Shultis, left, and Jeanette Utter help lift a resident into his bed at the New York State Veterans Home at Oxford using a portable lift. The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) strongly advocated the new safe patient handling lifts be installed in the new building at the home.