Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Erie County Local President Joan Bender converses with New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi at a rally against big business taking over county services on September 29, 2005. The rally took place in front of County Executive Joel Giambra's office in Erie County.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue, left, and Western Region President Flo Tripi, right, congratulating Erie County Local President Joan Bender on receiving the CSEA's Mission Achievement Award at the Spring Workshop, held in Rochester, New York. As Erie County employees grappled with major budget cuts and layoffs, and the Berger Commission's recommendation to close Erie County Medical Center and another Buffalo area hospital, Bender helped lead CSEA members through the crisis, constantly keeping them informed of developments and mobilized them to action.