Page 2 - Work Force April 2023

Photo of the Month
NLRB decides in favor of
CSEA/Bangs Ambulance
workers
ITHACA — As this edition was going to press, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) had cleared the way for the Bangs Ambulance workers to form a union with CSEA.
The workers voted in favor
of unionizing in an NLRB vote in November 2022. The employer, in a tactic to block the union, objected to the election results, triggering an NLRB investigation.
The board recently overruled the employer’s objection to the CSEA union election victory. As such,
the NLRB issued a Certification of Representative to certify Bangs Ambulance workers as a new CSEA private sector local.
Despite the employer’s anti-union
tactics, the CSEA/Bangs Ambulance workers organizing committee refocused their organizing efforts
on increasing union support among their co-workers and the community.
The workers are now expected to focus on their first contract negotiations with their employer.
“Despite a very challenging organizing campaign, the Bangs Ambulance workers never gave
up the fight for a voice in the workplace,” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan. “Congratulations to the workers and I welcome them to our CSEA family. We will continue to stand with them as they fight for their first contract.”
CSEA testifies before the state legislature on workforce issues
Fahiym Williams, a clerk at the Nassau County Department of Social Services, sets up a small exhibit of paintings during a recent Black History Month program held at the county worksite. The event also included crafts, dance performances, awards and dinner for attendees. See page 15 for more. Photo by Wendi Bowie.
Southern Region member Scott Burrows, 54
CSEA is mourning the loss of Southern Region member Scott Burrows, who passed away Jan. 5, 2023, from injuries sustained after a fall while on the job as a direct support assistant at Taconic DDSO. He was 54.
Our union and PESH are investigating the incident, recently determined to be a worksite fatality.
Burrows, who lived in Patterson, had been working at Taconic DDSO since 2021. According to his sister,
Burrows had graduated from The Citadel Military College and served in the Navy. Before working at Taconic DDSO, he had worked for Pfizer.
Off the job, Burrows enjoyed biking, skiing and fishing. His sister also noted that he regularly visited their elderly mother and he found comfort in reading the Bible.
Calling him “quiet, reserved and humble,” Burrows’ sister said he tried to help others. He was never married and had no children.
2 The Work Force
April 2023
CSEA Legislative Director Joshua Terry, second from left, delivers testimony on behalf of our union to the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on Workforce Development. The testimony focused on proposals to improve recruitment and retention of public employees, including reforms to
the Civil Service system and fixes to Tier 6. CSEA is advocating for more frequent civil service exams, the removal of prohibitive exam fees and better promotion of public sector opportunities across the state. Our union also supports building upon last year’s changes to Tier 6 to make the pension serve as a recruitment and retention tool for employees. As this edition was going to press, state legislators and the governor were still working to finalize the New York State Budget. To learn more, visit CSEA’s website at cseany.org.