Page 8 - Work Force December 2025

CSEA division leaders discuss issues of concern
NIAGARA FALLS — Leaders from
CSEA’s state, local and the private
sector divisions joined together at
the 115th Annual Delegates Meeting
in Niagara Falls to discuss business
and impactful updates within each
division.
Focus on safety
In the wake of the tragic death of
Westchester County Unit member
Maria Coto (see article below), Local
Government Division members
are exploring innovative ways to
increase safety measures for field
workers across the state. Coto was
attacked while on a site visit in
May 2024 as a senior caseworker at
the county’s Department of Social
Services’ Child Protective Services
Unit and died of her injuries a month
later.
Funding limitations and
contractual obligations can prevent
counties and municipalities from
accessing technology such as
departmental radios issued to offices
with field workers or SOS ‘panic’
buttons that workers can wear
individually. These methods are used
in some areas across the state but
can be less feasible when emergency
technology is contracted out or the
cost is too high.
However, there are other, more
short-term ways for workers to
ensure their safety on the job.
“After what happened in
Westchester, one of the committees
has mentioned looking into some
sort of SOS button for people who
are going out into the field that
would send a signal to someone to
let them know they are in distress,”
said Broome County Unit 1st Vice
President Michael Woolever,
Woolever, a 911 dispatcher,
provided more information on
utilizing the SOS feature built into
the majority of smartphones. On
many modern smartphones, a few
clicks of an exterior button can
automatically disclose the caller’s
location to 911 operators.
Another safety tool is the use
of check-in apps, which can send
periodic alerts to field workers’
cellphones. If they do not check in
during the allotted time — such as
hitting a button on their phone —
emergency services or appropriate
department personnel can be
notified.
These methods provide another
layer of protection for workers on
the job. Our union continues to
actively search for more ways to
increase workplace safety.
In the past year, CSEA supported
Westchester County in expanding
the contract for private security to
escort workers on a case-by-case
basis to client visits.
In Broome County, peace officers
are stationed across county facilities
to ensure the safety of members and
the public.
Local government highlights
CSEA is now a member of the
New York Labor Health Care Alliance
(NYLHCA), a nonprofit purchasing
coalition made up of more than
70 union-sponsored health plans.
Local Government and Private
Sector Locals now have access to
more health care-related benefits,
including NYLHCA preferred
coalition pricing such as a Pharmacy
Benefit Management program
administered by Express Scripts.
Members also discussed the
impacts of the federal shutdown
on local government programs that
CSEA members administer. As this
edition went to press the shutdown
had ended.
Private Sector
SCO Family of
Services Local
President Sirlentor
Berry, who also
serves as vice
chair of our
union’s Private
Sector Executive
Committee, led the
meeting, which
began with an update on division
elections and recently achieved
goals.
The Private Sector Division
previously had high rates of
administratorship among locals
and units. Administratorship can
occur when a local or unit fails to
elect a president and/or treasurer.
Due to ongoing efforts, officers have
since been elected to fill key roles
and bring many locals and units
out of administratorship. During
the meeting, leaders also discussed
resources for private sector officers
and ways to increase member
involvement.
State Division
The main topic for the State
Division was upcoming contract
negotiations with New York state.
The negotiations team has been
assembled, a survey was conducted
and preparations have begun.
Teams consist of appointees from
the Administrative Services Unit
(ASU), Operational Services Unit
(OSU), Institutional Services Unit
(ISU) and the Division of Military and
Naval Affairs (DMNA) units.
— Alexandra Whitbeck
Berry
Guilty verdict for killer of CSEA member Maria Coto
WHITE PLAINS
— A Westchester
County Court jury
recently returned
a guilty verdict
in the trial of the
man responsible
for the death of
CSEA member
Maria Coto.
Coto, a Westchester County Unit
member and senior caseworker at
the county Department of Social
Services, died June 19, 2024, from
injuries sustained in a vicious attack
a month earlier while she was
attempting a home visit in Peekskill.
“Nothing will ever make up for
“It’s truly heartbreaking what
the tragic loss of Maria Coto, but
happened to our dear sister, Maria
we are grateful her loved ones and
Coto,” said Westchester County
co-workers are finally seeing justice
Local President Hattie Adams.
served,” said CSEA President Mary
“Everyone deserves to return home
E. Sullivan. “On behalf of CSEA,
safely at the end of their workday.
I would like to thank everyone
CSEA Local 860 will continue to
involved in bringing justice for our
work tirelessly to raise awareness
union sister.”
and advocate for the safety of all
Coto
Coto’s killer, 32-year-old Hasseem
social services workers across all
Jenkins, was found guilty on felony
counties. We stand united with
charges of second-degree murder;
Maria’s family in their pursuit of
first-degree manslaughter, robbery
justice. Together, we will remain
and burglary; and third-degree
strong.”
criminal possession of a weapon.
Our union has advocated at the
County-based labor-management
discussions have included the
addition of police escorts or private
security on an as-needed basis.
“Since Maria’s passing, we
have redoubled our efforts to
advocate for enhanced safety
protocols, including better training,
communication tools and security
resources for field workers,” said
Westchester County Unit President
Joseph Dalli. “We remain committed
to partnering with Westchester
County leadership to ensure no one
else endures what Maria did.”
His sentencing is scheduled for
state level for measures that would
Dec. 11.
keep caseworkers safer on the job.
— Jessica Ladlee
8 The Work Force December 2025