CSEA Executive Statewide Officers President Danny Donohue in touch with Work Force ISSN 1522-1091 Official publication of CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO 143 Washington Ave. Albany, NY 12210-2303 Danny Donohue, President STEPHEN A. MADARASZ The Communications Director & Publisher EMILY COTE Deputy Director of Communications LOU HMIELESKI Executive Editor JANICE GAVIN Associate Editor JANICE M. KUCSKAR Graphic Production Specialist JASON D. HOSIER Graphic Production Specialist BETH MCINTYRE Communications Assistant Vice President Mary E. Sullivan Secretary Denise Berkley Treasurer Joe McMullen CSEA Region Officers Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte 3 Garet Place Commack, N.Y. 11725 Metropolitan Region President Lester Crockett 125 Maiden Lane, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10038 Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo 569 State Route 52 Beacon, N.Y. 12508 Capital Region President Kathy Garrison 1 Lear Jet Lane, Suite #2 Latham, N.Y. 12110 Central Region President Colleen Wheaton 6595 Kirkville Road East Syracuse, N.Y. 13057 Western Region President Flo Tripi 120 Pineview Drive Amherst, N.Y. 14228 Communications Specialists Long Island Region: Wendi Bowie (631) 462-0030 Metropolitan Region: David Galarza (212) 406-2156 Southern Region: Jessica Ladlee (845) 831-1000 Capital Region: Therese Assalian (518) 782-4400 Central Region: Mark M. Kotzin (315) 433-0050 Western Region: Ove Overmyer (716) 691-6555 Headquarters: Jill Asencio (518) 257-1276 The Publications Committee Jerry Laricchiuta Robert Pyjas Theresa Reagan Lee Reynolds The Work Force (USPS 0445-010) is published monthly by The CSEA Publication Office: 143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210. Periodical Mail Postage paid at Post Office, Albany, New York 12288, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to: CSEA, Attn: Membership Department, 143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210 Readers: Send any comments, complaints, suggestions or ideas to: Publisher, The Work Force 143 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12210-2303 CSEA online: cseany.org or follow us on facebook and twitter: facebook.com/csealocal1000 twitter.com/csealocal1000 The Work Force Time has come in the Fight for $15 There’s a reason why the Fight for $15 movement is gaining momentum: It’s about economic fairness for all — not just low-wage workers. No matter who you are and what you earn, it has meaning for you. Governor Cuomo’s recent announcement that he will phase in a raise in the minimum for state employees is welcome. CSEA had been calling on him to do so for some time. The action has important practical and symbolic effect. The vast majority of CSEA-represented state employees already earn more than $15 per hour. Unfortunately, there are significant pockets of workers who do not and there are many more in local government, school district and not-for-profit employment who are severely undervalued. The message should be loud and clear that economic equality must be pursued for the good of our society. It is right that low-wage workers be raised up because it’s good for the workers, their families and their communities. When low-wage workers have more expendable income, it will be spent in their local communities. Lifting those at the bottom of the pay scale benefits everyone. People like you are working harder than ever and finding it more difficult to earn a living and support their family on stagnant wages. A pay raise is about fairness, plain and simple. People know that we have an economy out of balance. People know that a few corporate CEOs and bankers have rigged a system so that it works very well for them at the expense of everyone else. And we all know that’s not right. There is tremendous anger about that all across the political spectrum and elected officials are starting to recognize that they have to do something about it. They’re recognizing it because large numbers of people are joining together and speaking out for what’s right and about taking back our democracy that’s been stolen from us. More people need to stand together and make their voices heard on an economy that works for all. 4 The Work Force December 2015
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