TODAY News briefs from around the state CSEA activists honored at labor dinner ROCHESTER — Two Western Region activists were recently honored by the Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation for their efforts to get out the vote during the election cycle. Kimberly Whitlock, a Rochester State Employees Local activist who works as a workers’ compensation examiner, and Sean Gibbons, a Monroe County Local activist and pure waters laboratory assistant, were honored for their outstanding achievement, commitment, dedication and extraordinary efforts. Western Region President Flo Tripi, also a vice president of the area labor federation, was one of the presenters at this year’s event that featured a keynote address by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author David Cay Johnston. Central New York DDSO member honored for saving a life SYRACUSE — Central New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office Local Anthony Grady, a general mechanic, earned praise from his co-workers after he recently saved a neighbor’s life. Grady ran into a burning house next to his home, rescuing a disabled grandmother, and attempted to save others before Grady was forced back by the heat. Gananda Central School District Unit members ratify new deal WALWORTH — On Dec. 6, the Gananda Central School District CSEA Unit in Wayne County overwhelmingly ratified a new collective bargaining agreement that gives employees a wage increase over the life of the contract. Additionally, there will also be no changes in the employee health care cost contribution, and the agreement also introduces a new high-deductible health care plan option. Workers will also receive a new longevity bonus and sick leave bank. The four-year deal expires June 30, 2019. Guilderland Library Unit ratifies contract Guilderland Public Library Unit members ratified a three-year deal that runs through June 30, 2019. The pact includes salary increases and additional longevity payments for full and part-time employees. Non-frozen fund-raising for Special Olympics Southern Region CSEA activists raising money for the Feb. 25 Special Olympics Fishkill Polar Plunge got some practice in for the chilly winter jump, albeit in a warmer setting. Members raised more than $300 for Team CSEA via a warm water plunge during the Southern Region Fall Conference. Statewide Political Action Chair Anthony Adamo, Southern Region Executive Vice President Scott Rajczi and Fishkill Correctional Facility Local President Ed Timberger took the warm water jump challenge. See page 13 for more about Polar Plunges. Generosity keeps kids fed Attendees at the recent Southern Region Fall Conference opened their hearts — and wallets — to ensure local children in need don’t go hungry on weekends. Conference organizers raffled prizes donated by locals and units, raising more than $1,200 for area school district backpack programs. The programs send children in need home each weekend with a backpack filled with kid-friendly foods, since children don’t have weekend access to free and low-cost breakfast and lunch programs. CSEA announces 2016 McDonough Scholarship recipients CSEA recently presented our annual Thomas H. McDonough Memorial Scholarship for Continuing Studies to six children of union members (one in each region). Congratulations to the recipients, as listed here: Long Island Region: Melissa Rorech, whose parent, Anastasia Kruk, is a communications operator I at Nassau County. Metropolitan Region: Mario Papa, whose parent, Mario Papa Sr., is an electrician at Staten Island Developmental Center. Southern Region: Neil Patel, whose parent, Prakash Patel, is a motor equipment mechanic at the New York State Department of Transportation. Capital Region: Susanne Prendergast, whose parent, Theresa Prendergast, is a teaching assistant at the Catskill Central School District. Central Region: Megan Barney, whose parent, Ray Barney, is an account clerk at St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services. Western Region: Zachary Taylor, whose parent, Shawna Taylor, is a case supervisor at Niagara County. Veterans donate to others in need COMMACK — CSEA’s Long Island Veterans Committee is fully committed to the season of giving. Committee members recently dropped off donations of personal care items to the Northport VA Medical Center and the Long Island State Veterans Home. Every year, CSEA members generously donate items such as razors, toilet paper and gloves to residents at the veterans’ facilities. Kevin Norwood, Stanley Bergman and Ed Hussey unpack donated items at the Long Island State Veterans Home. January 2017 The Work Force 17
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