NIAGARA FALLS — Our union’s Western Region was recently honored with CSEA’s first-ever Rising Tide Cup at the 115th Annual Delegates Meeting (ADM). The award recognizes the region that signs up the most new members throughout the year.
This membership-focused award is rooted in the belief that a rising tide lifts all boats. When fair wages, better benefits and improved workplace conditions are achieved by our union, entire communities see the rewards.
Western Region President Steve Healy proudly accepted the award at the ADM.
“Hearing Region 6 called by President Sullivan was a total shock. I had no idea we were winning this award,” said Healy. “I am incredibly proud of the leaders working each day to grow and strengthen our union. We have so many passionate, dedicated people in Region 6 and across the state. We share this win together.”
While the Western Region was honored with the award, recruiting efforts across our union are at its crest. Membership-building initiatives across the state are working, and our union continues to reach more workers every day.
The efforts and energy from leaders across the state have resulted in more than 14,000 new members joining our union so far in 2025, as announced by CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan.
“One of the most important things we can do to build a stronger CSEA is to grow our membership,” said Sullivan. “Every new member who signs up adds to our collective power — power to win fair wages, to secure better benefits and to make our workplaces safer and stronger.”
Building connections
Encouraging workers to join our union has always been an integral part of both region and statewide initiatives. Across the Western Region, locals have taken a proactive approach to reaching new members.
Of the 1,480 CSEA-represented workers at Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO), 1,463 are proud union members.
Finger Lakes DDSO Local 1st Vice President Catalina Guzman, who also serves as Western Region Membership Committee chair, brings an inspiring energy to her conversations with potential members.
By building personal connections during New Employee Orientation (NEO) sessions and in the workplace, she aims to foster trust and demonstrate the real benefits of union membership through her own experiences.
“I’m not only your union rep, I’m your friend,” said Guzman, who notes she is available to members at any hour. “I am in a position where I can help you along the way.”
Guzman focuses on relating to people on a human level, sharing her background in nonunion employment and finding creative ways to connect, all of which have proven effective in growing membership.
Her counterpart during NEO sessions is Finger Lakes DDSO Local Treasurer Courtney Valentino. Together, they bring dynamic energy to what can often be lengthy trainings. They provide essential information along with moments of humor as they explain the value of union membership.
The team comes prepared to answer questions, learn new employees’ concerns and maintains an “open-door policy” as new hires navigate the agency.
“We try to make sure when, we do our piece, we take the time to answer questions,” Valentino said, noting that she follows up with new hires when needed. “Then, we try to give them words of advice and things that will help them be successful in their job.”
Their efforts have resulted in each orientation signing up between 95% and 100% of new employees.
At the Health Research Inc. (Buffalo) Local, a team of officers has led tremendous growth, from being in administratorship with little member participation to reaching more than 600 members.
President Debbie Bradley, Vice President Sarah McEvoy, Treasurer Michael Habitzruther and Secretary Danielle Wittek were new to private sector union leadership, according to Bradley. Having never served in these roles before, they each learned their positions and worked closely with CSEA staff to establish comprehensive NEO sessions and energize employees about union benefits.
They collaborated with others across Roswell Park Comprehensive Care Center (RPCCC) to coordinate meetings and sign up both new and current employees.
“There is a huge purpose here,” Bradley said. “These benefits belong to us for a reason. We’re all in the same boat, so let’s help each other out and stand together.”
As their chapter grew, they developed new ways to connect with workers across the large medical and research campus.
Routine email blasts and member meetings are paired with community outreach initiatives, such as a donation drive for personal care items benefiting Buffalo City Mission. The initiative was done in collaboration with our union’s Roswell Park Memorial Institute Local.
“We’re all in the union and we’re stronger together,” said Bradley.
— Alexandra Whitbeck