Page 2 - Work Force April 2019

Photo of the Month
CSEA mourning loss of Central Region member Dennis “Matt” Howe
Putnam County Unit activist Shawn Rogan, along with his 13 year-old English Springer Spaniel Toby, shows his recommitment to our union when CSEA members and staff recently visited his Patterson home during the recent Putnam County member outreach blitz. Rogan, who also serves as a Town of Patterson councilman, has been supportive of CSEA members who are employed by the town. See page 6 for more about the Putnam County member visits. (Photo by Jessica Ladlee)
Howe, a highway maintenance worker at the state Department of Transportation (DOT) who was based at the agency’s Owego residency, was working to fill potholes on Route 17 in Tioga County on March 13 when a tractor-trailer struck the state truck he was working in.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Matt Howe, a hardworking DOT employee and CSEA member, who passed away as a result of injuries sustained when a tractor trailer collided with his DOT truck in a work zone,” CSEA President Danny Donohue said. “CSEA’s Occupational Safety and Health Department is actively investigating the incident.”
“This tragic incident highlights the risks so many CSEA members face every day. This serves as a strong and powerful reminder that we all need to do our part and drive carefully through work zones so our hardworking public employees can return safely to their families and loved ones after every shift,” Donohue said.
“DOT employees are some of the most vulnerable workers, and every
every right to come home safely from work to his wife and kids that day, like every other day. If people would just obey the law and be more careful, deaths like his would be avoidable. We will do all we can to make sure that he is not forgotten, and to protect all our transportation workers who put their lives at risk just by doing their jobs.”
Howe, a member of our Southern Tier State Employees Local, had been employed by DOT since 2006. The governor directed flags in all state buildings to be flown at half-staff until after funeral services.
Howe’s obituary noted that he “loved” working for DOT. He also liked spending time at his hunting camp enjoying the outdoors.
He is survived by his wife, Alycia, two children, two brothers, a sister, grandparents and numerous other family members.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was charged with moving from a lane unsafely and failure to exercise due care under New York State’s Move Over Law. (See pages 3, 4, 5, 8 and
12 for more Occupational Safety and Health coverage.)
OWEGO — CSEA is mourning the loss of Central Region member Dennis “Matt” Howe, 45, who passed away March 18, 2019, from injuries sustained in
a worksite incident several days earlier.
Matt Howe, shown with his wife Alycia, in this photo from a GoFundMe page to support the family.
one of us needs to help ensure their safety. On behalf of all of CSEA, I extend my deepest condolences to Matt’s family and loved ones.”
“Our region is devastated over Matt’s death,” CSEA Central Region President Kenny Greenleaf said. “Matt had
ALERT
CSEA President Danny Donohue to
meet with Capital, Western Region members
CSEA President Danny Donohue will visit the CSEA Capital and Western Regions to meet with members.
Capital Region: Donohue will visit the Capital Region on Wednesday, April 17. The meetings will be held from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the High Peaks Resort, 2384 Saranac Ave., Lake Placid. Please call the Capital Region office at (518) 782-4400 for an appointment and directions.
Western Region: Donohue will visit the Western Region on Wednesday, May 15. The meetings will be held from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Doubletree, 401 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls. Please call the region office at (716) 691-6555 for an appointment and directions.
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2 The Work Force
April 2019