Page 6 - Work Force December 2023

Goshen library workers form union with CSEA
GOSHEN — Workers at the Goshen Public Library and Historical Society in Orange County are some of the newest members of our union.
After months of mobilization, drawing support from the community and CSEA members from other bargaining units, library trustees recently granted the voluntary recognition of the union that the workers had been seeking.
“We’re excited to move forward with the process and begin contract negotiations,” said Harlene Kresse,
an organizing committee member.
Kresse, along
with co-workers
Kitty Ruberte-
Smith and Lisa Taylor, began the union organizing process earlier this year after a change in library management caused worker morale to plummet and drove a number of longtime employees to leave.
Taylor was already a member of the CSEA Orange County Unit as
a full-time employee in a county
department but worked part time
at the library. When she returned from our union’s Statewide Women’s Conference this spring, Taylor was motivated to ask library colleagues
if they would consider unionizing, it turned out that Ruberte-Smith had been quietly looking into the process of organizing with CSEA. (See Page 7 for more about Taylor.)
Kresse, Ruberte-Smith and Taylor teamed up with CSEA Statewide Organizer Grace Klein to get the organizing process in motion.
Soon, the three library workers
had collected cards from more
than 90 percent of their co-workers indicating their support in forming a union with CSEA.
“People felt devalued, unappreciated and worried for their jobs,” said Kresse. “I think everybody in the building was trying to figure out what we could do.”
Organizing committee members turned out supporters to library board of trustees meetings, with supporters urging trustees to voluntarily recognize the union
to avoid a costly and drawn-out process.
In addition to the Orange County
Organizing Committee member Kitty Ruberte-Smith, standing at right, speaks during a meeting with workers during the organizing campaign. Seated, from left to right, are Organizing Committee member Lisa Taylor, Orange County Unit President Denise Fuchs and Organizing Committee member Harlene Kresse.
Kresse
Unit, there are several other CSEA bargaining units in Goshen. They, along with activists from other unions, turned out to meetings to show their support. Orange County Local President Rosemarie Kukys and Orange County Unit President Denise Fuchs were among those standing with the workers. Fuchs also opened the unit office to the workers to serve as a home base during the organizing process.
“I was very pleasantly
surprised to see the outpouring of support and the good wishes we received,” said Ruberte-Smith. “We can’t wait
to start working
together as a
union and are
hopeful for a very positive outcome with contract negotiations.”
Southern Region President Anthony Adamo said the organizing campaign reinforced the importance of existing CSEA members supporting organizing campaigns.
“When workers find their voices and stand together, knowing we’re standing behind them, they will earn
that seat at the table,” said Adamo. “Our officers and staff have done a fantastic job in showing how much support and how many resources are available through CSEA, though it’s the work of Harlene, Kitty and Lisa and their co-workers that was pivotal in this being such a success.”
— Jessica Ladlee
Workers voted during a July meeting on a logo for their campaign. They ultimately chose the bottom logo.
From left to right, Organizing Committee members Lisa Taylor, Kitty Ruberte-Smith and Harlene Kresse show solidarity during a meeting at the Orange County Unit office.
6 The Work Force
December 2023
Ruberte-Smith