Leading a moral fight Coalition groups fighting for budget fairness As the state budget fight enters its final days, the collective voices of a coalition of labor, faith and community groups are making their voices heard to ensure that state officials remember the needs of all New Yorkers. CSEA has been standing with the coalition that has been fighting to end poverty and income inequality, maintain critical public services, pass a fair minimum wage, ensure fairness in the state’s public schools and so much more. A moral document Coalition members are demanding a state budget that prioritizes people and communities over the wealthy and corporate interests. A budget is a moral document that reflects the values and priorities of our state. Those morals should benefit the common good and move toward solving New York’s ongoing problems, including poverty and income inequality. Despite the fact that New York is one of the wealthiest U.S. states, it also has one of the worst income inequality rates in the nation. Alongside mansions and luxury vehicles are families struggling to get by and children without enough food to eat. This is simply wrong. Moral Mondays One way that coalition members have been fighting back is through a series of Moral Mondays events at the state Capitol and across the state that bring people together to seek moral actions by elected officials. Specific events have included rallies, vigils and lobbying of state officials to urge fairness in New York. The Moral Mondays movement was founded in 2013 by the Rev. Dr. William Barber II, president of the North Carolina NAACP, to fight back against that state’s pro-business, anti-worker political agenda. Moral Mondays soon caught on in other states, including in New York. Coalition groups such as Faith for a Fair New York, Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State and numerous other labor, fair and community groups have been working together to ensure that all New Yorkers’ voices are being The Rev. Dr. William Barber II, center, addresses a Moral Mondays rally centering on education fairness at the state Capitol in January. heard at the Capitol. Barber lent his support to New York’s Moral Mondays movement when he addressed a Moral Mondays event at the state Capitol in January. He also gave a rousing address to CSEA officers and activists at the union’s Annual Delegates Meeting last fall. A successful battle While the coalition has a long fight ahead, it has already played a key role in at least one major success: wages for tipped workers will rise from $5 to $7.50 per hour later this year, a move that will affect about 250,000 New Yorkers. The wage increase for the tipped workers is a step in the right direction, but coalition members are now focusing on securing a $15 per hour minimum wage along with numerous other moves to win fairness in New York. To learn more or to help, “like” Faith for a Fair New York and the Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State’s Facebook pages. Left, Hamilton Ferris, Meghan Santucci and Sue Fontana plunge into the chilly water at the Fishkill Polar Plunge as part of CSEA’s Southern Region Team. CSEA members end Polar Plunge season on strong note; donations accepted until April 15 Even though the 2014-15 Polar Plunge season is now ending, there is still time to help support the Special Olympics. To urge members to become involved, President Danny Donohue established the President’s Polar Cap Award to stimulate a friendly rivalry between CSEA’s regions. The region that raises the most money through Polar Plunge participation each year is recognized at CSEA’s Annual Meeting. The award is displayed in the winning region office for the duration of the champ’s reign. Donations submitted throughout the season until April 15 determine the winner. Visit www.polarplungeny.org to find a list of CSEA team names. All money raised by “CSEA” named teams count toward their region’s totals for the President’s Polar Cap Award! CSEA has a long relationship with the Special Olympics as the union represents nearly 20,000 workers in the developmental disabilities field. Many CSEA members are involved with helping Special Olympics athletes train and prepare for their participation. Right, CSEA Southern Region Polar Plunge Team members pose for a group photo after warming up and drying off after plunging. 14 The Work Force April 2015
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