Page 4 - Work Force December 2024

4 The Work Force December 2024
President Mary E. Sullivan in touch with
As we head into the winter months, I’d like
to wish you and your loved ones a safe and
happy holiday season.
One of the most important functions of labor
is protecting safety and health in our workplaces.
This is a basic right that every employee should
have. Everyone deserves to return home safely
after their shift is over. Over the years, CSEA has
made great strides, but we still have work to do.
This is unfortunately apparent through
incidents we’ve seen this year involving
members across many different industries.
We should be reminded that no workplace is
perfect and improvements that can protect us
all can always be made. CSEA is committed to
improving workplace safety everywhere.
Earlier this year, we saw the death of Aaron
Peters, a park and recreation aide at the Niagara
State Park Commission’s Golden Hill State Park.
In May, three workers, including one CSEA
member, were attacked by a patient at Buffalo
Psychiatric Center.
More recently, one of our Department of
Transportation members was nearly struck
by a box truck while working on I-81 in the
Southern Tier. We have also witnessed a death
as a result of wildfires in the Southern Region.
These deaths and incidents are tragic and we can
and must learn from them to prevent additional
injuries and deaths.
Recently, Stephen Ebling, a CSEA member
employed at the New York State Thruway
Authority, died on November 4 after being
struck by a vehicle while on the job in Western
New York. Stephen was known to his loved ones
as a loving and caring person who put others
first. He enjoyed watching sports, bowling and
traveling. Most of all, he had a family who will
now have to deal with a tragic, preventable loss.
CSEA continues to push for changes and to
make improvements to prevent more incidents
like these from happening. Our union is urging
the Governor and state lawmakers to make the
protection of highway workers a top priority
during the 2025 legislative session. The state
has already passed legislation that strengthens
the Move Over Law, as well as other measures
to help keep people in work zones safer, but we
need even more meaningful steps. CSEA will
work to strengthen the existing laws, implement
heavier penalties to help highway workers, and
better educate the public about the critical need
to move over and slow down for emergency and
maintenance vehicles.
We are also working on solutions for other
health and safety issues such as workplace
violence prevention and ensuring employers
provide proper training on equipment and
procedures.
No employee should ever have to go to work
without the assurance of making it home. If
you have a concern about your workplace,
please contact your Labor Relations Specialist
or your region Occupational Safety and Health
Specialist.
In Solidarity,
Mary E. Sullivan, President
Work WorkForce Force
The The
Workplace safety
remains a priority
ISSN 1522-1091
Official publication of
CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
143 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210-2303
Mary E. Sullivan, President
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:
NICHOLAS NEWCOMB
(315) 728-3375
Western Region:
SYDNEY THOMAS
(716) 691-6555
Headquarters:
JILL ASENCIO
(518) 257-1276
Communications Specialists:
Work WorkForce Force
CSEA Family,
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
Chris Vogel, Chair
Karen Bright
Tim Finnigan
Kathleen Rider
Marnie Rounds
John Wagner
The Publications Committee:
MATHEW L. CANTORE
Acting Director of Communications and Publisher
JANICE GAVIN
Editor
JASON D. HOSIER
Graphic Production Specialist
KATE POHLMANN
Graphic Production Specialist
BOBBY COMPANI
Digital Content Coordinator
JOELLE LUCENTE
Communications Assistant
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