MANHATTAN — For Joyce Matthew, being named PEOPLE Recruiter of the Month for August is more than an honor — it’s a chance to show what union activism can accomplish.
Matthew, who serves as CSEA’s Metropolitan DDSO Local President, was only recently appointed to her local PEOPLE committee, but she wasted no time getting to work.
Inspired by Metropolitan Region Political Action Coordinator Matthew D’Amico, she started attending membership meetings and talking directly with members.
“I didn’t have much experience, but I just wanted to get my feet on the ground,” said Matthew. “I followed his lead, and members were very receptive.”
Her outreach paid off. In August, she recruited 18 new PEOPLE members. New hires particularly responded to the program’s efforts to fix state pension Tiers 5 and 6, an issue that hits home for workers planning for retirement.
“The new trainees were excited to hear the PEOPLE Program can help fix Tiers 5 and 6,” Matthew said. “They also raised concerns about wages, because we live in the city and it’s very expensive.”
Matthew sees PEOPLE—Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality—as essential to protecting both members and the communities they serve.
“OPWDD is funded by Medicaid, and if we have budget cuts, services will be cut,” said Matthew. “That doesn’t just affect staff—it affects individuals and families who depend on those services.”
She also connects the work to the national political picture.
“Who we have in the White House matters,” she said. “The PEOPLE program gives us the power to fight back against harmful cuts.”
Looking ahead, Matthew said she’s committed to growing PEOPLE in her workplace and beyond.
“I’m happy to be part of this committee,” said Matthew. “I’m looking forward to getting more experience, finding new members and keeping PEOPLE strong.”
— David Galarza