Photo of the Month Photo by Wendi Bowie Steve Stoebe and Victor Perez work on building a counter top at the Formica shop at Stony Brook University Hospital. CSEA members employed at the shop design and build items such as counter tops, sinks, desks and cabinets for the hospital. Our members’ artistry and skills result in high quality, environmentally friendly fixtures for the hospital. The on-site Formica shop, the last such facility in the State University of New York system, not only helps ensure that repairs and fixtures can be done quickly, but at a lesser cost than an outside contractor. CSEA reaches tentative agreement with Thruway Authority ALBANY — CSEA and the New York State Thruway Authority have reached an agreement on a new contract for 500 CSEA-represented employees, who work in professional, technical and supervisory titles across the state. Our CSEA negotiating team, led by Thruway Authority Local President Karen Wilson, logged extreme hours at the negotiating table on behalf of our members. Union negotiators will discuss details of the tentative agreement details in informational meetings scheduled across the state, with anticipated balloting in February. “Our sole focus right now is reaching as many members as possible, answering questions and encouraging them to exercise their right to vote,” Wilson said. The tentative pact runs from July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2022. — Therese Assalian Assault on CPS worker shows dangers of job WHITE PLAINS — CSEA leaders and activists from the Westchester County Unit are calling attention to the dangers involved in our work as public servants after a CSEA member was attacked and injured while performing her job as a child protective services caseworker. The woman, a longtime CPS worker in a county Department of Social Services satellite office, was performing what’s most commonly known as a removal — taking custody of a child to be placed in foster care after it was determined the child could not remain with his or her custodial parents due to safety concerns. While at a local hospital picking up an infant to be placed into foster care, a man attacked the worker while she was inside the hospital performing her job. The worker suffered multiple injuries and was home recovering after receiving medical treatment. “This incident reminds us that even in a secure hospital setting, our caseworkers still face dangers on the job,” said Unit President Kwabena Manu. “People should know that CSEA members work in some of the most challenging of situations. Emotions run high when a child is being removed from parental custody and this is one example of what can happen.” Manu noted that he and other union leaders are working with CSEA’s Occupational Safety and Health Department, both to investigate this incident and explore where “People should know that CSEA members work in some of the most challenging of situations. Emotions run high when a child is being removed from parental custody and this is one example of what can happen.” additional safeguards can be put in place. Phone calls from our members with concerns about the injured worker came in from across county work sites, Manu said. “Everyone’s thoughts are with our union sister as she recovers,” said Manu. — Jessica Ladlee Stay connected on state contract negotiations For state contract negotiation updates go to: cseany.org/state-contract-update You will need your CSEA ID to access the page. To look up your ID click the red button at the top of the page. Once you input your CSEA ID you will have access to the state contract update page. cseany.org/state-contract-update Stay connected further by taking the survey and signing up for email updates. 2 The Work Force February 2017
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