State Education Department Local member and political action volunteer Pat Whalen, "We need candidates like Bill Owens, who looks out for working people and is going to make sure [working families] can put food on the table, make a decent living, send their kids to college. Nationally, if we fail to re-elect President Barack Obama and we elect Mitt Romney, I don't know what kind of a future is going to be possible for working people to have."
State Dormitory Authority Local Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member Ira Bethea, "It's really important that we have candidates who are on our side because there is a lot at stake in these elections. Public services have been attacked by corporations and by other politicians unfairly. Millions of dollars have been put into these elections to blame working families for the fact that the economy is slow when in fact, that really hasn't the case."
Long Island Developmental Center Local President Rutha Bush, who is also chair of the Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) PEOPLE program (CSEA and AFSCME's political action program) accompanies a quote: "CSEA has great strength in its numbers. When we are united, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.
Activists Michele Martin, Diane Burton, Dan Meenan and Don Page are part of the teams of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) activists who recently went door-to-door visiting labor households in the Syracuse area to get out the vote for union-endorsed candidates, including Dan Maffei for Congress and Al Stirpe Jr. for state Assembly.
U.S. Rep Steve Israel of Long Island addresses delegates to the Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) 102nd Annual Delegates Meeting. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair urged CSEA members to get everyone they know to vote for candidates who will support working people in the upcoming election.
Civil Service Employees Association's (CSEA) union members, including Capital Region President Kathy Garrison, second from right, and State Educational Local President Sally Bywater, third from right, participate in a protest in Albany, NY outside a forum where corporate think tank head E.J. McMahon spoke. McMahon, who heads the Empire Center for New York State Policy, has advocated for pushing back public service working families' wages, benefits and pensions.
Nancy Hoffman, hired as the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s general counsel in 1988, retired in December 2011. Hoffman became the driving force in the legal department's development, leading it from a handful of lawyers, limited resources and no history of accomplishment to one of the most respected and effective operations in organized labor. In this photograph, Nancy Hoffman works at her desk in CSEA Headquarters.
Brian Hassett, center, from the United Way of the Greater Capital Region, accepts a donation of $8,000 from Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Statewide Treasurer Joe McMullen, right, and CSEA Capital Region 1st Vice President Mike Gifford on behalf of CSEA for flood relief in Schenectady and Schoharie counties.
Kevin Kumor of the Erie County Unit, left, John Stading of the Erie Educational Local and Assemblyman Mark Schroeder meet outside the New York Assembly's chambers during the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)/AFSCME Lobby Day 2010.
Brooklyn DDSO Local President Adriane Hudson studies the union's positions on important issues at the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)/AFSCME Lobby Day 2010.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s Outgoing Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio gets a standing ovation from delegates during the 2011 Annual Delegates Meeting. Boncoraglio retired in 2011 after 40 years in the labor movement.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio, shown in this 1971 photo when he first began working at the South Beach Psychiatric Center, retired after 40 years in the labor movement. A hands-on leader since his days as a mental health therapy aide at South Beach Psychiatric Center, Boncoraglio was always known and feared by management. While the topic of race played a very sensitive and often tense role during his early years as region president, Boncoraglio's fairness and insistence on coalition building helped the region become very important in terms of influence within the union.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio, shown in photo at a demonstration in Manhattan, retired after 40 years in the labor movement. A hands-on leader since his days as a mental health therapy aide at South Beach Psychiatric Center, Boncoraglio was always known and feared by management. While the topic of race played a very sensitive and often tense role during his early years as region president, Boncoraglio's fairness and insistence on coalition building helped the region become very important in terms of influence within the union.
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 urges delegates to lend support to those who were affected by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.
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.
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. Delegates attended a massive march on Wall Street, joining the Occupy Wall Street movement. From left are Broome Developmental Center delegates Adam Lichtman, Thomas Reed and Patrick McHugh and Metropolitan Region delegate Eddie Schubert.
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. Jim Garity, president of AFSCME Wisconsin Council 40, addresses CSEA delegates.
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 Secretary Denise Berkley speaks to delegates about the nation's economic disparity and the need for fairer wage treatment of workers.
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. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli presents outgoing Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio with a proclamation honoring Boncoraglio's union service. From left are CSEA President Danny Donohue, DiNapoli, Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo, Boncoraglio, Western Region President Flo Tripi, Capital Region President Kathy Garrison and Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte.
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 Executive Vice President Mary E. Sullivan addresses the delegates, telling them solidarity in the labor movement is more important than ever.
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 President Danny Donohue opens the 101st Annual Delegates Meeting General Business Session and urges delegates to support the Occupy Wall Street demonstration.
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. From left, outgoing Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio, Central Region President Colleen Wheaton, CSEA Political Action Committee Chair Bill Walsh, state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, state Law Department (Albany) Local President Patty Kaufman, Western Region President Flo Tripi and state Law Department (New York City) activist James Staley pose for a photo.
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.
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 President Danny Donohue and Western Region President Flo Tripi attend a news conference before 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. CSEA members prepare to march along the parade route in New York City.
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. Dutchess County Local members make themselves heard at the New York City 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. Capital Region President Kath Garrison, far right, leads the CSEA delegation in the Capital District 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. In this photo CSEA members get fired up at the New York City 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. 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 Executive Vice President Mary Sullivan, right, who is also president of the Capital District Area Labor Federation, marches in the Capital District 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. From left, Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte, Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo, Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley, Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio and Metropolitan Region Executive Vice President Lester Crockett lead the CSEA delegation in the New York City Labor Parade in honor of those lost on 9/11.
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. Southern Region activist Reuben Simmons honors those lost in the 9/11 attacks while marching in the New York City Labor Parade.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Statewide Treasurer Joe McMullen, New York State United Teachers Vice President Maria Neira and CSEA Executive Vice President Mary E. Sullivan, took part in a ceremony at NYSUT (New York State United Teachers) to honor those lost on September 11, 2011. Sullivan spoke at the event in her capacity as Capital District Area Labor Federation president, and reflected on the tragedy and loss of five CSEA members.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) activists Shana Davis, center, and Abraham Benjamin, right, were recently honored by the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU). Benjamin received an award for his work with the CBTU's Men's Committee, and Davis received the CBTU Woman of Hope Award. At left is CBTU Region 1 Director Terry Melvin, who is also the secretary-treasurer of the New York State AFL-CIO.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s LEAD Class of 2011 gathered recently for their graduation in Albany. CSEA's Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program is an intensive multi-faceted program aimed at enhancing the leadership skills of CSEA leaders and activists. Taught by both union staff and outside experts, this program begins with a general background of the labor movement and labor history, the negotiating process, governmental processes, and other important information about CSEA.
A photo of Frank Cosentino, a senior mail and supply clerk for state Liquor Authority, used in the special section of the September 2011 Work Force, Always Remember: A commemorative 10th anniversary retrospective. The horror of witnessing victims leaping from windows brought Consentino into the forefront of safety and health issues affecting working people. He is currently the statewide chair of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Occupational Safety and Health Committee, serves as the Metropolitan Region health and safety chair and also chairs the State Labor/Management Safety and Health Committee.
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.
Assemblyman Rory Lancman and state Senator George Maziarz listen as Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Director of Occupational Safety and Health Janet Foley speaks to reporters at a press conference in the state Capitol about the benefits of safe patient handling programs. The Assembly Subcommittee on Workplace Safety recently released a report detailing the success of safe patient handling programs in health care facilities in New York and recommended passage of the Safe Patient Handling Act, sponsored by Lancman and Maziarz in their respective houses.
The H.O.U.R. Westchester campaign ? Hourlies Organized and United for Respect ? began because Westchester County Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) leaders saw the need to strengthen the union by organizing these unrepresented employee groups. Nearly 1,000 hourly and seasonal workers work at the county's parks, pools, golf courses and an amusement park and some year-round employees work on an hourly basis with no benefits. In this photo Westchester County Unit President Karen Pecora, third from right, checks in CSEA members at the CSEA Playland Day.
The H.O.U.R. Westchester campaign ? Hourlies Organized and United for Respect ? began because Westchester County Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) leaders saw the need to strengthen the union by organizing these unrepresented employee groups. Nearly 1,000 hourly and seasonal workers work at the county's parks, pools, golf courses and an amusement park and some year-round employees work on an hourly basis with no benefits. In this photo, a Rye Playland seasonal worker talks with a CSEA organizer.
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. CSEA Central Region Executive Vice President Jeffrey Colburn speaks at a Workers Memorial Day ceremony at the state Department of Transportation Jefferson Residency as region Occupational Safety and Health Committee members James Jackson, Anthony DeCaro, Andy Roche and Committee Chair Joe Miceli look on.
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. CSEA Western Region President Flo Tripi, center, speaks during the annual ceremony at Western New York DDSO in West Seneca.
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.
State Department of Transportation workers participate in a Workers Memorial Day ceremony in Watertown's Jefferson Residency. 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.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue speaks at the state Department of Transportation's Workers Memorial Day remembrance ceremony in Albany. 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.