Unidentified representatives from the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s VOICE (Voice of Organized Independent Childcare Educators) membership march in the Labor Day parade held at the 2007 New York State Fair in Syracuse. CSEA members across the state marked Labor Day 2007 with parades, picnics and other special events.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue, center, joining VOICE CSEA (Voice of Independent Childcare Educators) day care providers and staff on stage during a program to introduce the VOICE providers to CSEA members at the 2007 Spring workshop. The VOICE group presented Donohue with a large thank you card, in the background, in thanks of CSEA's support for the providers in their fight to form a union with CSEA. More than 750 CSEA activists from across New York state attended the union's annual Spring Workshop in Rochester, New York. Union leaders participated in many programs to build leadership skills and present information on key issues such as health care reform, safety and health and union organizing.
A graphic illustration by Graphic Artist Ralph Distin, titled "Quality Family Daycare: not all fun and games," depicting an independent family daycare provider with lack of protections and benefits, and confusing regulations. Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and VOICE (Voice of Organized Independent Childcare Educators) are working with providers to encourage them to officially recognize VOICE as an advocate on their behalf on numerous issues they face, including dealing with agencies such as the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. CSEA is New York State's largest union.
Day care provider and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)/VOICE (Voice of Organized Independent Childcare Educators) founding member Fran Nantista with some of the children for whom she cares. With CSEA, she is fighting for collective bargaining rights for daycare providers across New York State. As a provider she has concerns with the State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and thinks a union voice can help providers. Nantista was featured in the Leading Edge in the CSEA monthly pulbication Work Force. The CSEA is New York State's largest union.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members across the state marched in several 2008 Labor Day-related events. Union members and their families and friends marched for change this year, getting out the word to support Senator Barack Obama for president. Child care providers and VOICE members, along with their families, marching in the Syracuse, NY, Parade.