Former Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) activist Greg Szurnicki who died recently at age 83. Szurnicki began his public career as an attendant at the now defunct Kings Park Psychiatric Center in New York City. He went on to become president of the CSEA local there and the union became his passion. He is particularly remembered for the many years he served as chairman of the Statewide Election Committee.
An invitation to all stockholders of the Utica (New York) Chapter to attend their chapter meeting in order to discuss an upcoming legislative session in Albany that would determine "how our 'New York State Corportation' will run." Issues discussed included lump sum payment for accumulated unused sick leave upon retirement, separation from service, and vested rights. Courtesy of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Utica State Employees Local (formerly Oneida County Chapter).
Salamanca, New York, Police officers Chris Hutchison and Jeffrey DaHill and Chief Troy Westfall are members of a police department that makes twice as many arrests as departments in bigger cities and towns, but with half as many officers. Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members in the department were part of an investigation that led to a major drug bust in predominantly rural Cattaraugus County in Western New York, taking a large amount of crack cocaine off the streets and serving 21 federal arrest warrants.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Research Department staff at work. From head of table to right: Research Analyst Cindy Chovanec, Assistant Director of Research Tom Coyle, Director of Research Bill Blom and consultant Joe Watkins. (People on left side of table are unidentified.)
The Oneida County Chapter, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), presented service plaques last night to Mrs. Helen Rauber, salary committee chairman, and William Blom of Albany, second from left, its state research director. Others honored by president Roger Solimando, right, and meeting chairman Louis Sunderhaft, left, were Mrs. Edna Fredricks, Louis Wroblewski, Mrs. Marian Dersherl and William Freiberger. The group met in PLAC Hall and heard Irving Flaumenbaum, state membership committee chairman and president of the Nassau County CSEA, describe his chapter's growth to 10,000 members.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President William L. McGowan (1977-88), with trademark cigar, pins 30-year Barge Canal veteran Henry Paul of CSEA Local 502 as Local President Frank Zammiello looks on.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue being congratulated by Special Olympics New York President Neal J. Johnson. Donohue was honored by Special Olymbics New York at its Salute to Labor for his continued efforts in the fight for fairness and respect of all individuals, including those with intellectual disabilities.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Research Department staff, from left, Assistant Director of Research Tom Coyle, Research Analyst Cindy Chovanec, Director of Research Bill Blom and consultant Joe Watkins. CSEA is New York State's largest union.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member and Manlius Highway Department Heavy Equipment Operator Dave Hale shows a student how to operate his snowplow during a visit to the Enders Road Elementary School. Hale visits local schools every year to talk about snowplow safety and show the kids whats involved in keeping town roads clear and safe. The town of Manlius is in Onondaga County, New York.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) slams Governor Paterson's budget. Services, jobs and communities will all be hard hit and middle income New Yorkers will bear the brunt of the cost under Governor Paterson's proposed 2009-10 state budget.
Jerry Knapp of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Cortland County Local agrees with his local's decision to bargain for the Strategic Benefit Trust's prescription drug buying program. Negotiating the trust's benefits into a contract can be a more cost-efficient way to provide health benefits for some public employees and could in some cases, be the only way to get benefits to the private sector.
AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka fires up the crowd at the 2009 AFSCME Lobby Day. Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and AFSCME members from across the state came by the busload for AFSCME Lobby Day on March 31, meeting with lawmakers and lobbying them to oppose Governor David Paterson's proposed layoffs of 8,700 state workers.
Unidentified Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Headquarters staff posing for a photo after being interviewed by a reporter from WNYT-Channnel 13 of Albany, NY during a fund-raiser for tsunami victim relief efforts. The mini-telethon held at CSEA Headquarters raised more than $100,000 that day, with CSEA activists and staff taking pledges. The CSEA is New York State's largest union.
Unidentified Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members demonstrating at the Peru School District because the district refused to pay retiree health benefits to Ken LaMoy, a former co-worker who is battling cancer. Nearly 100 North Country members turned out for the demonstration, held before a board of education meeting at which the grievance was heard.
U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan speaking to Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members at an unidentified meeting. Moynihan is wearing a baseball cap and holding a plaque. Behind Moynihan is CSEA President William McGowan and other unidentified CSEA members.
Institution teachers stage a demonstration on the steps of the State Capitol to emphasize their determination to get a new career ladder plan. The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) won an improved career ladder for New York's 2,400 teachers at state institutions, which provided more room for promotion and better compensation for education and experience than existed under the previous system.
Former Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Executive Director Joseph Dolan, left, shown with former Governor Hugh Carey. Dolan died May 7 at age 73. He began his career at CSEA in 1965 as an Albany, NY, field representative, working his way up to executive director, a job he left in 1982.
Civil Sercive Employees Association (CSEA) President Dr. Theodore C. Wenzl (1967-77) addresses thousands of CSEA members at an April 1975 rally at the state Capitol over state cutbacks.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)-represented New York State workers hold a contract demonstration at the State Capitol in 1975. The crowd of union members are holding their signs upward toward the photographer.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President William L. McGowan shaking hands with Governor Hugh Carey at the 1979 CSEA Annual Delegates Meeting.
This Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) cartoon, by CSEA graphic artist Ralph Distin, was drawn prior to the union's 70th Annual Delegates Meeting in 1980 but was never published in the CSEA newspaper. CSEA delegates decided to support Carter's presidential bid and invited Carter to speak at their convention.
President Jimmy Carter waving to delegates from the stage at the 1980 Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting in Niagara Falls, New York. Carter was campaigning for his second term in office. At right is U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President William L. McGowan, third from left, looks on as Governor Hugh Carey signs the Public Employee Safety and Health Act. The union played a major role in passage of the law which made safe workplaces a right instead of a priviledge for thousands of public employees in New York State.
Senate Majority Leader Warren Anderson shaking hands with Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)attorney Jim Featherstonhaugh at the 1980 CSEA Annual Delegates Meeting in Niagara Falls, New York. Behind Anderson is CSEA Executive Vice President Tom McDunnough.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Long Island Region President Irving Flaumenbaum addressing the crowd at an occupational safety and health rally at the State Capitol.
The former Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) headquarters building at 33 Elk Street in Albany, New York. A banner reading "CSEA YOUR VOTE COUNTS CSEA" hangs from the building.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President William L. McGowan (1977-88), left, with New York Governor Hugh Carey at CSEA's 1982 Annual Delegates Meeting in Buffalo.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) New York City State Employees Local President George Calomeno and other New York City members in the Labor Day parade carrying signs supporting Mario Cuomo during his campaign for governor of New York.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President William L. McGowan (1977-88), left, speaks with New York Governor Hugh Carey at CSEA's 1982 Annual Delegates Meeting in Buffalo. At right is Governor's Office of Employee Relations Director Sandy Fucher.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President William L. McGowan (1977-88), right, welcomes New York Governor Hugh Carey to CSEA's 1982 Annual Delegates Meeting in Buffalo.
New York Governor Mario Cuomo speaks at a Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Board of Directors meeting at the Albany Hilton Hotel in 1982. To his right are CSEA President William L. McGowan and Statewide Secretary Irene Carr.
Gubernatorial candidate Mario Cuomo, front, second from right, campaigns for votes on Long Island with then Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Long Island Region President Danny Donohue, front, second from left.
New York Governor Mario Cuomo speaks at a Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Board of Directors meeting at the Albany Hilton hotel in 1982. To his right are CSEA President William L. McGowan and Statewide Secretary Irene Carr. To his left are CSEA Treasurer Barbara Fauser, CSEA Federal Issues Coordinator Joe Conway and CSEA Executive Vice President Joseph McDermott.
New York Governor Mario Cuomo meets with Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) officers shortly after taking office. From left are: Cuomo, CSEA Executive Vice President Danny Donohue, CSEA Western Region President Bob Lattimer, CSEA Statewide Secretary Irene Carr and CSEA President Joseph McDermott.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Metropolitan Region President Frances Dubose Baptiste, U.S. Presidential Candidate Walter Mondale, CSEA President William L. McGowan, and Statewide Secretary Irene Carr attending the 1984 CSEA Annual Delegates Meeting.
New York Governor Mario Cuomo is applauded at a New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) /AFL-CIO meeting. AFL-CIO President Ed Cleary is at Cuomo's right.
Governor Mario Cuomo accepting the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s endorsement for reelection. From left to right are CSEA Federal Issues Coordinator Joe Conway, CSEA President William L. McGowan, Cuomo, and Executive Vice President Joseph E. McDermott.
Civil Service Employees Association(CSEA) members demonstrate for safer working conditions at state psychiatric centers following the murder of New York State Department of Mental Hygiene therapy aide Clara Taylor by a patient at Rockland Psychiatric Center in 1987. Some of the demonostrators' signs include a photograph of Taylor.
U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, left, reads a Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) petition delivered to Washington DC by CSEA President William L. McGowan, right. The petition called for helping to halt an IRS plan to tax unused sick leave.
This Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) cartoon, by CSEA graphic artist Ralph Distin, depicts the union's successful efforts to stop an ill-conceived Internal Revenue Service attempt in 1988 to tax unused public employee sick leave and vacation time.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members march to City Hall in Manhattan as part of a parade welcoming Nelson & Winnie Mandela to New York City. Members carry a banner that reads, "CSEA Welcomes Nelson and Winnie Mandela." CSEA Anti-Apartheid Committee Chair Willie Terry is at left of banner.
David Dinkins speaking at the announcement of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s endorsement of Dinkins for New York City Mayor. Pictured, from left, are CSEA Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio, Dinkins, and CSEA President Joseph E. McDermott. Dinkins was New York City's first African American mayor (1990-1993).
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Local 603 President Shelly Planty hands out information at a CSEA booth at the Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club Expo in 1990.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Judiciary Local 335 President Ralph Hesson right, leads a demonstration in Buffalo against Office of Court Administration job cuts in 1991.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center Local President Bud Mulchy, right, hands NY Governor Mario Cuomo a copy of a CSEA whitepaper report "No Compassion, No Care: Abandoning the Mentally Ill" at a demonstration at the SUNY Institute of Technology in Marcy, NY.
New York Mayor David Dinkins speaking at the 1992 Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting in New York City. Dinkins was New York City's first African American mayor (1990-1993).
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue with Karen Burstein at a press conference announcing the union's endorsement of Burstein for New York Attorney General.
This Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) cartoon, by CSEA graphic artist Ralph Distin, depicted the horrific violence of the 1995 bombing attack on innocent public employees working at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. The union had long made efforts to secure worksites in New York State.
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani speaking to the press at the 1996 Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting. Giuliani was mayor of New York from 1994 to 2001.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Political Action Coodinator member Gerry Fidler, Central Region Political Action Committee Chair Betty Thomas, statewide Secretary Barbara Reeves, Treasurer Maureen Malone, and Executive Vice President Mary Sullivan at a 5 for the Future program in Syracuse. Five for the future was an internal union organizing initiative encouraging members to get involved in the union by volunteering 5 hours a month to CSEA activities.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Board of Directors representative Carol Thornton holding a portion of a sculpture she created in tribute to four CSEA social service workers murdered while on the job in Schuyler County in 1992.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Helen Hayes Hospital Local 302 President Bill Curtin accepts the 1998 CSEA Mission Achievement Award. CSEA President Danny Donohue is at left.
Members of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), including President Danny Donohue (left), attending the New York State Association of Black and Puerto-Rican Legislators Annual Conference in 1998.
This Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) cartoon, by CSEA graphic artist Ralph Distin, depicts Governor George E. Pataki as oblivious to the needs of state workers in their fight for a fair contract as well as their efforts to obtain one, which culminated in a 20,000 member-strong rally at the state Capitol. A contract agreement was reached a short time later in early Jan. 2000.
An unidentified Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member shakes hands with New York Governor George Pataki at the 1999 CSEA SUNY Cortland Demonstration.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue and the 2000 CSEA State Contract Negotiating Team cheering. All are wearing CSEA logo t-shirts.
Civil Service Employeess Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue, right, shakes hands with State Comptroller H. Carl McCall as he announces CSEA's endorsement of McCall for New York State Governor at the Desmond Americana Hotel in Albany. McCall lost the 2002 election to incumbent Governor George E. Pataki.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Mark Hoffman, while on the back of a Department of Public Works truck passing through more than 3 feet of flood water, speaks about flood damage done to the Montgomery County Annex building, shown behind him. Floods raged through New York's Central, Capital, and Southern regions on June 28, 2006. CSEA members recorded much of the devastation the floods brought.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members chanting "Main Street, not Wall Street," thousands of working New Yorkers converged on the state Capitol in Albany, January 7, 2009 to participate in the March for Main Street.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue fires up marchers. Chanting "Main Street, not Wall Street," thousands of working New Yorkers converged on the state Capitol in Albany, January 7, 2009 to participate in the March for Main Street.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Metropolitan Region activists Barbara Shoates, a Department of Motor Vehicles' traffic violation division worker in Manhattan, and Johnnie Dinkins, a keyboard specialist at VESID in Brooklyn, rally before the March for Main Street. Thousands of working New Yorkers converged on the state Capitol to March for Main Street to tell Governor David Paterson that his budget priorities should lie with Main Street, not Wall Street.
The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and other labor organizations stand together on and off the Capitol steps in their fight for middle-class New Yorkers. Thousands of working New Yorkers converged on the state Capitol to March for Main Street to tell Governor David Paterson that his budget priorities should lie with Main Street, not Wall Street.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Metropolitan Region State Employees Local member Will James keeps the crowd fired up at the Times Union Center. Thousands of working New Yorkers converged on the state Capitol to March for Main Street to tell Governor David Paterson that his budget priorities should lie with Main Street, not Wall Street.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members of the Sullivan County Local make it an annual tradition to play Santa Claus to young students at Sullivan County Head Start in Woodbourne, purchasing holiday gifts for the children. Santa, as portrayed by Fallsburg School District Unit member Angelo Pacheco, visits with a student.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue is pictured with Emily Armbruster of the American Red Cross at CSEA's recent Annual Delegates Meeting in Washington, D.C. CSEA has made a significant contibutin to the National Disaster Relief Fund in support of all Red Cross chapters in New York state. Armbruster spoke to CSEA delegates about Red Cross hurricane relief efforts.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) cartoon illustrating how Wall Street (a beaver) is biting into New York's economy (a tree) while New Yorkers (a sweating bird sitting on a branch) watch savings and investments (leaves shaken from a branch) blow away. A broken branch on the tree shows manufacturing decline. The state motto, "Excelsior" (Ever Upward) is crossed out and replaced with "Caveat Emptor" (Buyer Beware).
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s Head Start employees across the Capital Region in New York State recently met for a one-day conference to discuss issues affecting the program. Cecilia Perry from AFSCME's Department of Research and Collective Bargaining Services led the discussion that included new regulations, statutes, funding and reporting requirements. Capital Region President Kathy Garrison is fourth from left in the back row.
Nick Paolini, president of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Amherst Unit, affixes address labels on postcards supporting Barack Obama for president. Members of the Western Region conducted the postcard campaign during the annual autumn region meeting. The cards were sent to union members in swing states.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member Amy E. LaForte, a financial case manager at Hope House in Albany, NY, helps keep the center's records on track. CSEA is actively involved in organizing workers from facilities such as Hope House, whether they be addiction services, care for autistic adults and children, or private sector developmental disability service agencies.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s 2008 Statewide Women's Conference attendees do the conga to Lynn Marie Smith's labor version of the hit song "YMCA".
Goshen Secure Center Local Secretary Amber Bradshaw and Goshen Secure Local member Karen Wright at the Civil Service Employee Association (CSEA)'s 2008 Statewide Women's Conference.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) activists Guadalupe Johnson and Terry Lester march to Lynn Marie Smith's labor version of the hit song "YMCA" at the Statewide Women's Conference.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Executive Vice President and Women's Committee officer liaison Mary Sullivan applauds Lynn Marie Smith's performance at the Statewide Women's Conference.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Orange County Local activists Betty Lou Kranz and Joyce Howard listen at a workshop at the 2008 Statewide Women's Conference.
AFSCME member Tamika Felder, a cervical cancer survivor who founded "Tamika & Friends" to fight the disease, tells her story at the "Say Something" workshop at the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) statewide Women's Committee member Catherine Custance, far left, and Tamika & Friends activists listen.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s 2008 Statewide Women's Conference Committee poses at the end of the statewide Women's Conference. Standing, from left, are Committee Adviser Sharon Lovelady-Hall; Retiree member Sylvia Thomas; Southern Region member Janice Beaulieu; Capital Region member Kim Wallace; Metropolitan Region member Carlotta Williams; Western Region member Rose Conti; Executive Vice President and committee officer liaison Mary Sullivan; committee Chair Jackie Stanford and Long Island Region member Catherine Custance. Front row, from left, are Central Region member Cathy Barretta and Southern Region member Karen Pecora
Shirley Singletary, board vice president for the Long Island chapter of Girls Inc., urges Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members to get involved in the organization as volunteers and mentors at the 2008 Statewide Women's Conference.
Nearly 40 Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members under the age of 35 from around the state attended a workshop in Rennsselaerville to be a part of Next Wave; a new program designed to encourage younger activists to take an active role in building and maintaining the strength of CSEA by passing along the torch of activism to the next generation. CSEA President Danny Donohue addresses the attendees of the weekend program.
Nearly 40 Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members under the age of 35 from around the state attended a workshop in Rennsselaerville to be a part of Next Wave; a new program designed to encourage younger activists to take an active role in building and maintaining the strength of CSEA by passing along the torch of activism to the next generation. Guadalupe Johnson, Nassau County Local Administrative Assistant, enjoys a light moment with other members at the weekend workshop.
Union members from the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and other labor groups demand fairness at a November 18 rally near the state Capitol in Albany, NY, the same day Governor Paterson called for a special legislative budget session which broke down without any resolution to the state's budget deficit. CSEA's position is that the governor's budget proposals have only been about cutting back essential public services and shifting more burden to working New Yorkers.
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.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Central Region activists raised more than $3,300 for the Special Olympics to sponsor the region's team for the state's first "Polar Plunge" of the 2008-09 season. Funding raised 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. The "Central Region Polar Peeps" Team, from left to right: Barb Carnrike, Karen Bright, Betty Jo Johnson, Jeffrey Colburn, Sarah Gilkinson, Tammy Witteman, Ellen Englert, Casey Walpole, Janice Danaher, Nick Kadick and Jeannette Engle.
A plan to contract out part of the busing operation in the Warwick Valley Central School District and consolidate bus runs is facing fierce opposition from members of the district's Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) unit. CSEA activists, from left, Martha Langlitz, Wendy Vandercliff and Barbara Watch say proposed cuts to the Warwick Valley Central School District's transportation department must be stopped.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Central Region President Colleen Wheaton, right, presents a check for $1,757 to Jolie Bonaparte from the American Cancer Society for its "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" fund-raiser. The region raised the money at its fall conference by raffling gift baskets. The donations will be used toward fighting breast cancer, including research, education and patient care programs.
Pat Whalen, secretary of the state Education Department Local and a 23-year Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, was recently honored by the Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council with its 'Straight But Not Narrow' award. Whalen, a visitor assistant at the New York State Museum in Albany, works closely with the council on projects year round and recently coordinated events at the state museum for Gay Pride Month. The council honored him for his commitment to the labor and LGBT communities, calling it "solidarity."
The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) cartoon depicts Governor David Paterson as a fire chief putting out smoldering wildfires (public services and quality of life in NYS) with fire extinguisher (budget proposals) and an axe (service cuts).
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member Rick Schenosky, an Onondaga County probation officer who was honored as statewide Adult Probation Officer of the Year earlier this year, was recognized by CSEA Treasurer Joe McMullen and Syracuse University officials for his achievements at a Syracuse football game, which was also CSEA Game Day at the campus' Carrier Dome. From left, are Syracuse University Athletic Director Director Darryl Gross, Schenosky, McMullen and Joe Baldini, vice president and general manager, Syracuse ISP Sports Network.
Nearly 40 Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members under the age of 35 from around the state attended a workshop in Rennsselaerville to be a part of Next Wave; a new program designed to encourage younger activists to take an active role in building and maintaining the strength of CSEA by passing along the torch of activism to the next generation. Brook Lancaster from Local 559 Office of Children and Family Services, right, with Karyne Tinord from Kingsboro Psychiatric Center Local.