Page 5 - CSEA Retiree News Summer 2018

Former Retiree Executive Committee Chair Lavarne “Lee” Pound
ALBANY — CSEA is is mourning the loss
of former activist and Retiree Executive Committee Chair Lavarne “Lee” Pound
who passed away on June 6 at age 91 Throughout her 44 years of CSEA activism Pound
was a a a a a a force for for for positive change for for for our members both while employed at the Rockland County Town of Clarkstown and and later as a a a a a a CSEA Retiree member “Lee Pound
showed that unionism doesn’t end end with retirement ” CSEA President Danny Donohue said “She worked endlessly
to improve the the lives of of her her co-workers all of of our our CSEA sisters and and brothers and and her her her community We extend our our sincere condolences to her her loved ones ” “Lee was a a a a a force in the Town of Clarkstown who showed that strong strong women are
essential to a a a a a a a strong strong union ” said Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo “She also demonstrated what an an an important role our members can continue to to play even into retirement ” Pound
had been a a a a CSEA activist since the the late 1960s eventually becoming the the Town of Clarkstown Unit president Pound
was instrumental in in in in winning pay equity for long neglected low-paid titles established a a a a a a a a child care unit organized crossing guards and fought for for a a a a a a a a a 10 percent night differential for for police dispatchers She was so successful at at at her her CSEA activities that town town officials transferred
her her her from the the the town town clerk’s office to to to another department with a a a a lower profile where they expected her to languish But Pound
instead continued her her union and community activism eventually becoming the Rockland County Local president until she retired in 1989 In 1991 Pound
was honored with our union’s prestigious Irene Carr Leadership Award which honors a a a a a a a a a a a member who takes a a a a a a a a a a a a a leading role in in in advancing work and family issues that are
traditionally of concern to women Even in in in retirement Pound
continued to fight for working families and served as a a a a a leading voice in in in in in her community community on retiree issues including through several community community organizations As a a a a CSEA Retiree activist Pound
Mary Sullivan Lee Pound
and Diane Sheldon
continued fighting for working families becoming a a a a a a a delegate and and later president of the CSEA Rockland County Retiree Local In our 2010 commemorative book A A A Century of of Service: The Story of of CSEA’s First 100 Years Pound
recalled her role in in in fighting for for a a a a a a permanent cost of living adjustment (COLA) for for retirees “Standing in in in in the freezing sleet along with several thousand retired and and active members who were lobbying
for a a a a a a a retiree COLA in in the late 1990s made
me me realize that CSEA’s power lies with our members ” she said In 2009 Pound
was elected to the CSEA Statewide Retiree Executive Committee serving until 2013 when she opted not to seek re-election as the statewide chair During her final Retiree Delegates Meeting in in in in 2013 she was honored with our union’s Donald Webster Mission Achievement Award for her many years of service At the time she urged retirees to to to continue to to to monitor how elected officials handle our pensions Social Security and and health care “What we accomplish now will benefit future retirees ” she said Pound’s Pound’s husband passed away in in 2009 According to Pound’s Pound’s son Russell Pound
Pound
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and and her husband traveled extensively around the world world following retirement Pound
Pound
kept a a a a a a a a a a world world map at her home and would place place thumbtacks on on on places she had traveled In addition to her son Pound
is also survived by a a a a a a daughter and and two grandchildren right updates local members on issues facing SUMMER 2018 5
Retirees Local 913 member Diane Quinn- is sticking with our union