Page 2 - Work Force April 2025

Photo of the Month
CSEA testifies before the state Senate and Assembly on state budget proposal
CSEA Legislative Director Joshua Terry, right, recently testifies on behalf of our union at the New York State Workforce Budget Hearing before
the Senate and Assembly. Our union emphasized the critical need for sustained investments in state agencies, health care facilities, local governments, schools, and child care programs. CSEA also advocated for policies that remove barriers to public sector employment and strengthen workforce recruitment and retention efforts. The state budget was being finalized as this edition went to press. Visit cseany.org for the latest news.
New award to be given at the ADM:
The Rising Tide Cup
Signing up new members helps our union grow and increases our power. When union workers get fair wages, better benefits and improved workplace conditions, all workers see improvements. This rising tide can lift all boats in our communities, but this starts by growing our union.
CSEA wants to encourage each region to make signing up new members a priority through a friendly competition. At the 2025 Annual Delegates Meeting, the region that signs up the most new members will be recognized with The Rising Tide Cup.
For more information on New Employee Orientation, visit cseany.org/new- employee-orientation for resources.
CSEA Central Region 3rd Vice President Andrew Maroney, left, hands out beads at the Binghamton St. Patrick’s Day Parade. See page 15 for more. (Photo by Nicholas Newcomb.)
Miguel “Mike” Ortiz, former CSEA attorney
CSEA is mourning the loss of former CSEA staff
attorney Miguel “Mike” Ortiz, who passed away on Feb. 15, 2025.
Mike was always
willing to assist
any attorney in the
office, whether it be
with simple advice or setting aside his own work to assist a colleague.
“Mike was kind and compassionate, a fierce warrior for working people,” said CSEA General Counsel Daren Rylewicz. “He would give you the shirt off his back.”
He was born in 1948 in Southwest Detroit, Mich. After attending Wayne State University for his law degree, Mike began a career that was always grounded in the values of human rights, due process and justice. He had grown to recognize and respect the role that labor unions served in achieving and protecting fair working conditions.
After 40 years of living and working in Detroit, Mike relocated to Albany to begin a 26-year career
as an attorney for CSEA. He served as president of the New York State Capital Region chapter of LERA (Labor and Employment Relations Association) and as president
of the local chapter of LCLAA (Labor Council for Latin American Advancement).
During his tenure at CSEA, Mike handled some of the most complex matters in the Legal Department. He approached every case with integrity and always treated CSEA members with dignity and respect.
Mike retired from CSEA in 2014. He left a huge hole to fill and was dearly missed. Despite being retired, Mike returned to CSEA in 2018 briefly to work in our union’s Member Resource Center, created in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Janus decision.
He leaves behind his beloved and devoted wife, Marilyn (Raskin-Ortiz); his children, Ben (Gladira), Martin (Cassy), Alicia (Marz), and their mother, Christine; his grandsons, Xavier and Tristan; Marilyn’s daughter Rachel and son Michael, whom he loved and cherished as
his own; and Marilyn’s loving sister, Mona and her family.
Ortiz
STAY CONNECTED with CSEA
for a chance to win a gift card!
To better provide services to our union members, CSEA needs to ensure we have your most updated contact information.
CSEA is encouraging members to keep their information updated by holding a contest throughout this year. Any member who updates or verifies their contact information through the MyCSEA App, our website at cseany.org or by filling out a contact card will be entered into the contest for a chance to win a gift card.
At the end of each month, CSEA will draw at random 12 members, who will receive a $25 gift card.
Stay Informed. Stay Connected. Keep Your Information Updated!
For more information about the MyCSEA App, visit cseany.org/mycseaapp.
2 The Work Force
April 2025