Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) activists from eastern Long Island spoke out against Town Supervisor Phil Cardinale's posposed 2009 budget, particularly his plan to eliminate funding for public safety dispatchers in the town's Police Department. Riverhead Public Safety Dispatcher Melissa Breitenback, with her daughter, addresses the town board in opposition to the supervisor's plan to eliminate her position.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) activists from eastern Long Island spoke out against Town Supervisor Phil Cardinale's posposed 2009 budget, particularly his plan to eliminate funding for public safety dispatchers in the town's Police Department. Riverhead Unit President Matt Hattorff addresses the town board in opposition to the supervisor's plan to eliminate positions.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Capital Region President Kathy Garrison, right, and CSEA Organizing Department staff person Lisa Horton pose with Obama signs in front of infamous McCain supporter 'Joe The Plumber's' house in Toledo, Ohio, November 3. Garrison and Horton were part of the large AFSCME contingent that successfully got out the vote, delivering Ohio's electoral votes to Obama.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s 2008 Statewide Women's Conference Committee member Cathy Barretta poses with the journal published for former statewide Secretary Irene Carr's retirement dinner after Barretta gave a tribute to Carr.
The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) reminding members to attend the March For Main Street rally at the Capitol in Albany, NY, on January 7, 2009, the date Gov. Paterson gives his State of the State address. The rally is a response by CSEA and other New York state labor unions to the governor's budget which puts jobs and services across the state at serious risk.
Longtime Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) activist Jimmy Gripper in a 1998 photo. CSEA will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2010. Throughout 2009 The Work Force is devoting the Leading Edge page to a look back at some of the key individuals who have helped shape our extraordinary history. This month we feature a interview with Jimmy Gripper. Gripper began his career in state service at what was then known as the Brooklyn Developmental Center in 1972. An activist in CSEA for 30 years, Gripper was the union's first African-American region president when he was elected to lead the Metropolitan Region in 1980. He is now retired and living in Virginia.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members, officers and staff hit the streets to protest proposed layoffs in Lewis County. At the head of the line is Lewis County Local President Cal Farney, followed by CSEA Central Region President Colleen Wheaton.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members Mary Brownell, Brenda Facin and Heidi Holcomb, all of the Greenwich School District Unit, before jumping into a frigid Lake George to help raise money for Special Olympics athletes.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members of the Teachers' Aides Unit in the Riverhead School District demonstrate prior to a recent school board meeting. The unit has declared impasse in its contract talks.
Across New York, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members are reaching out to their communities to help make the holidays brighter for New Yorkers who are facing tough times. CSEA members in the CSEA Oyster Bay Local recently made the holiday season happier for disadvantaged children in their communities. Chris Baranski, left, and Joe Damico work on a bike. At right, Chris Dane, Tim Brown and Jim Ort donated their time to the cause, along with several other local members.
Across New York, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members are reaching out to their communities to help make the holidays brighter for New Yorkers who are facing tough times. Ulster County Local President Terry Gilbert, left, and Ulster County Shop Steward Christine Block sort through the pile of gifts collected for Toys for Tots. The Ulster Local Office served this year as a drop off point for Toys for Tots. Block, with Gilbert's support, spearheaded CSEA's local involvement with Toys for Tots. Numerous county departments collected toys, which will all be distributed locally.
Across New York, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members are reaching out to their communities to help make the holidays brighter for New Yorkers who are facing tough times. Town of Patterson mechanical equipment operators, from left, Joe Tresca, Russell Goff and Jason Kinash work inside a Santa's Workshop float the Highway Department entered in the Putnam Lake Fire Department's annual holiday parade.
Across New York, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members are reaching out to their communities to help make the holidays brighter for New Yorkers who are facing tough times. CSEA members in the CSEA Oyster Bay Local recently made the holiday season happier for disadvantaged children in their communities. Chris Dane, Tim Brown and Jim Ort donated their time to the cause, along with several other local members.
Across New York, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members are reaching out to their communities to help make the holidays brighter for New Yorkers who are facing tough times. CSEA members Cheryl Bingley, left, and Audrey Villanueva of the Orange County Information Services Department prepare to transport donations for the family they adopted through the Orange County Youth Bureau. Theirs were one of a number of county departments adopting families through the Youth Bureau this year, purchasing holiday gifts, food and gift cards for families in need.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Basil Townsend of the Hudson Valley DDSO (Developmental Disabilities Services Office) Local is PEOPLE (Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality) Recruiter for the month of November. He recruited 38 new PEOPLE members at the MVP level. CSEA's PEOPLE program protects and improves our jobs, benefits and pensions in Washington, Albany and in your community.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Onondaga County Local President Phil Graham, giving Santa a hand with his visiting duties, gets a visit from Kara Rice. Rice is the daughter of Central New York DDSO Local member Rebecca Northrup. Graham was helping Santa during Onondaga County's Lights on the Lake Festival.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members in the union's Madison County White Collar Unit are wearing buttons to protest the county's lack of a wage proposal in contract talks.
Western Region Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members took part in the Polar Plunge at Charlotte Beach for the Rochester, New York, Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics New York. CSEA, through a supportive relationship with Special Olympics New York and Quality Care New York, affirms its commitment to New York's developmentally disabled individuals, advocating for the highest standard in quality of care.
Retiring Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Statewide Secretary Barbara Reeves accepts applause at her final Annual Delegates Meeting in 2007. Reeves has devoted her union career to improving the lives of working people on and off the job. She has served as CSEA statewide secretary since 1994. She leaves a legacy of leadership and dedicated service to the union.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member Katrina Guariglia tosses "ice treats," a fish and juice frozen into the shape of a heart, to one of five gorillas at the Buffalo Zoo. In conjunction with a family Valentine's Day event, animal handlers represented by CSEA held an "enrichment day" at the Buffalo Zoo. The event is one of many ways zoo staff educates visitors about the zoo's inhabitants.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member Jacob Lange tosses fish to a sea lion in his care at the Buffalo Zoo. In conjunction with a family Valentine's Day event, animal handlers represented by CSEA held an "enrichment day" at the Buffalo Zoo. The event is one of many ways zoo staff educates visitors about the zoo's inhabitants.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members Donna Keicher and Tom Muscarella, a senior public health sanitarian (health inspector) for Erie County, review plans during a Hepatitis A vaccination clinic at Erie Community College. CSEA members from several county and state agencies joined together to vaccinate thousands of area residents during a four-day period after a grocery store chain announced one of its produce employees had been diagnosed with Hepatitis A, working for more than 12 hours each day to register, guide, escort, educate, screen and monitor groups of people who may have been exposed to Hepatitis A.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue, left, joins CCPT-NY organizers in cheering results of a State Employment Relations Board election allowing 17,000 child care providers to join CSEA. An overwhelming majority ? 96 percent ? of the providers voted in favor of joining CSEA. This brings the total of unionized childcare providers represented by CSEA in New York to 25,000, the other 8,000 belonging to Voice of Independent Childcare Educators (VOICE/CSEA). CCPT-NY now has the right to negotiate with the state.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s Sullivan County Jail Unit President Robert Brewster, left, presents Cpl. Janet Calengelo a plaque honoring her as the CSEA Sullivan County Jail Officer of the Year. Jail Administrator Col. Hal Smith looks on. Calangelo, a correction officer since 1999, was chosen as the first Officer of the Year for her willingness to go above and beyond on the job and for performing immaculately every duty she is assigned.
The Polar Plunge raises funds that directly benefits Special Olympics athletes and gives access to families that otherwise couldn't afford to send their special needs family members to Special Olympics. Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s Polar Plungers in Rochester during the 2007-08 season.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members campaign in downtown Albany for Sen. Hillary Clinton on New York's Super Tuesday. CSEA's efforts helped Clinton carry New York.
Unidentified Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members show their support as CSEA Hudson Correctional Facility Local President Bob LaTour expresses his concerns about the state's plan to close Hudson and three other facilities to state Corrections Commissioner Brian Fischer. Hundreds of concerned citizens, including a large contingent of CSEA members, packed an auditorium at Columbia Greene Community College to let Fischer know the damage Spitzer's plan to close Hudson facility would cause to workers and their families, as well as local economies supported by the workers. Similar events were held at Camp Gabriels in Franklin County and Camp McGregor in Saratoga County.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members, Grace Perez, left, president of the Central Islip Library Unit and Jackie Scannella are shown in front of a voting machine used by community residents in a recent vote that approved construction and renovation project for the library. Perez and other unit members played a key role in gaining public support for the project that would allow the library workers to provide better services to the community, with the unit sending postcards to registered voters and placing an ad in the local newspaper. The project will include a children's activity center, new computer lab and a quiet study/local history room.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member Tammy Sugrue prepares to serve a five-gallon "ice treat," a fish and juice frozen into the shape of a heart, to an elephant. In conjunction with a family Valentine's Day event, animal handlers represented by CSEA held an "enrichment day" at the Buffalo Zoo. The event is one of many ways zoo staff educates visitors about the zoo's inhabitants.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) activist Cliff Seguin could lose his job at Camp McGregor in Saratoga County, NY, under Gov. Eliot Spitzer's proposal to close several Corrections and Office of Children and Family Services facilities across the state. Seguin, the founder of "Operation Adopt a Soldier," a volunteer organization that has sent thousands of care packages to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, says Operation Adopt a Soldier would be forced to close if Camp McGregor closes. The organization, which is spearheaded by CSEA staff at the facility, also helps families of soldiers, holds rallies and welcomes soldiers returning home. Seguin began "Operation Adopt a Soldier" in 2003.
Retiring Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Statewide Secretary Barbara Reeves in her earlier union activist days. Reeves has devoted her union career to improving the lives of working people on and off the job. She has served as CSEA statewide secretary since 1994. She leaves a legacy of leadership and dedicated service to the union.
Retiring Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Statewide Secretary Barbara Reeves takes part in a Workers Memorial Day demonstration. She was also acive in efforts to pass the Worksite Security Act. Reeves has devoted her union career to improving the lives of working people on and off the job. She has served as CSEA statewide secretary since 1994. She leaves a legacy of leadership and dedicated service to the union.
Retiring Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Statewide Secretary Barbara Reeves in a familiar role of advising and mentoring a union activist. Reeves diligently worked to codify union documents, constitutions and contracts, where possible, to make them consistent with the union's mission. Reeves has devoted her union career to improving the lives of working people on and off the job. She has served as CSEA statewide secretary since 1994. She leaves a legacy of leadership and dedicated service to the union.
The Polar Plunge raises funds that directly benefits Special Olympics athletes and gives access to families that otherwise couldn't afford to send their special needs family members to Special Olympics. Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s Co-Captains Jerry D'Agostino, left, and Rich Acevedo, Port Washington "Bathing Beauties" at the 2007-08 Long Island Polar Plunge event.
\Western Region Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members took part in the Polar Plunge at Charlotte Beach for the Rochester, New York, Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics New York. CSEA, through a supportive relationship with Special Olympics New York and Quality Care New York, affirms its commitment to New York's developmentally disabled individuals, advocating for the highest standard in quality of care. Members of "Team Region 6" are,Team captain, Western Region President, Flo Tripi; Leroy Thompson, president, Rochester Psychiatric Center Local; Jeff Parker, Western Region Judiciary Local; Misty White, Western Region Judiciary Local; Mark Wortz, Western Region Judiciary Local; Fran Falzon, Monroe County Local; John Bieger, CSEA OSH Specialist.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Jeff Parker, Western Region Judiciary Local pictured with a friend, took part in the Polar Plunge at Charlotte Beach for the Rochester, New York, Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics New York. CSEA, through a supportive relationship with Special Olympics New York and Quality Care New York, affirms its commitment to New York's developmentally disabled individuals, advocating for the highest standard in quality of care.
Retiring Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Statewide Secretary Barbara Reeves was a leading advocate for child care programs, as well as health and wellness and sexual harassment education. Reeves has devoted her union career to improving the lives of working people on and off the job. She has served as CSEA statewide secretary since 1994. She leaves a legacy of leadership and dedicated service to the union.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Police Dispatcher Steve Robinson and other CSEA Batavia Unit members are fighting a plan to consolidate the city's dispatchers with the county. Removing the city's dispatchers would close the police station to the public for 16 hours out of every day. Police officers would also be removed from patrol to handle some of the work currently completed by dispatchers.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Dean Seyler fields a call at the Erie County Command Center following the crash of Flight 3407. Seyler is a senior medical emergency radio systems coordinator for Erie County. During the emergency response he served as assistant emergency operations center manager after Continental Flight 3407 crashed into a home in the close-knit community, killing 49 people. CSEA members from Clarence, the Erie County Unit and other nearby towns responded.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Medical Examiner Carraugh Reilly Nowak, left, and Administrative Coordinator Karen Biel Costantino review emergency plans in the Erie County Medical Examiner's Office. Workers from the Erie County Medical Examiner's Office and Health Department set out to bring families back together after Continental Flight 3407 crashed into a home in the close-knit community of Clarence Center, killing 49 people. CSEA members from Clarence, the Erie County Unit and other nearby towns responded.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Putnam County Local members Mark Semo and Mike O'Connor, joined by CSEA Political Action Coordinator Cody Peluso, react to the icy temperatures of Fishkill Creek during the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. O'Connor took the plunge in an Elmo costume. Across the state, CSEA members have been braving freezing water to take the Polar Plunge, raising money to help send athletes to the New York Special Olympics Summer Games. CSEA members this winter raised more than $10,000 to help support the summer games.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Nick Radlich, pictured at his computer, and his fellow firefighters traveled a few miles to Clarence Center fire hall where they served in a support role when Continental Flight 3407 crashed into a home in the close-knit community, killing 49 people. CSEA members from Clarence, the Erie County Unit and other nearby towns responded.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Erie County Local 815 President Joan Bender, left, reflects at a memorial with Clarence Blue Collar Unit member Tim Norris. Norris is assistant chief of Clarence Center Volunteer Fire Company. He was the first firefighter on the scene Feb. 12, 2009, when Continental Flight 3407 crashed into a home in the close-knit community, killing 49 people. CSEA members from Clarence, the Erie County Unit and other nearby towns responded.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Assistant Toxicologist Larry Perkins tests samples in the Erie County Medical Examiner's office. Medical examiner and health department workers spent about four days at the site after Continental Flight 3407 crashed into a home in the close-knit community of Clarence Center, killing 49 people. CSEA members from Clarence, the Erie County Unit and other nearby towns responded.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Toxicologist Chris Stokes and Assistant Toxicologist Colleen Corcoran review computerized test results in a laboratory at the Erie County Medical Examiner's Office after Continental Flight 3407 crashed into a home in the close-knit community of Clarence Center, killing 49 people. CSEA members from Clarence, the Erie County Unit and other nearby towns responded.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Long Island Region Bathing Beauties gather at the CSEA booth immediately before the plunge at Bar Beach on Hempstead Harbor. Across the state, CSEA members have been braving freezing water to take the Polar Plunge, raising money to help send athletes to the New York Special Olympics Summer Games. CSEA members this winter raised more than $10,000 to help support the summer games.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s Port Washington School District Custodial, Transportation and Maintenance Unit members John Ciotoli, David Albury, Ralph Clemente, Jerry D'Agostino, Unit President Rich Acevedo and Monte Vane help staff the concession stand at a charity basketball game which pitted teams from the Port Washington, NY, Police and Fire departments against one another to benefit the Children's Health Fund. The CSEA unit has served as the backbone of fund-raising projects that have raised $160,000 two years.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue, Executive Vice President Mary Sullivan, Treasurer Joe McMullen, and Secretary-elect Denise Berkley. The four statewide officers will take the oath of office for a four-year term beginning March 1, 2008.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Elijah Willingham, child care provider from Loudonville, NY, was part of the overwhelming majority of CCPT-NY who voted yes to be part of CSEA. CSEA/Child Care Providers Together-NY, a new CSEA child care union (CSEA Local 100B), won with 96 percent voting in favor of a union. Representatives from Local 100B will now join CSEA/VOICE Local 100A at the table for negotiations with the Office of Children and Family Services. One contract will cover both child care locals, a similar structure that CSEA uses for state contracts.