Page 6 - Work Force February 2024

Member political action leads to positive change
HAMBURG —
Since Reanna Krautsack was
elected as our
union’s Hamburg
Blue Collar Unit President two
years ago, she’s
had to repeatedly
go to bat against Town Supervisor Randy Hoak and
Town Board members.
Krautsack and unit members recently showed yet another example of how union solidarity and political action helped make a positive change in their community.
“I’ve spent my entire life in Hamburg,” said Krautsack. “I truly care for this community, and I’ve watched the town board destroy it in recent years.”
With the support of board members, including his sister, Karen Hoak, Randy Hoak “terrorized” CSEA members employed by the town, according to Krautsack, who was
elected as unit president parallel to Hoak’s term as supervisor.
In recent years, Hamburg Town Board members have treated employees unfairly, including calling CSEA members names, demoting members unfairly and unilaterally eliminating positions to cut town costs.
When some Town Board seats were up for reelection in 2023, specifically those filled by Karen Hoak and Shawn Connolly, CSEA members took action.
With the hope of changing the narrative between town leaders and CSEA, our union endorsed for the Town Board seat non-incumbent candidates Frank Bogulski and Daniel Kozub, who pledged to stand with working people.
Members began knocking on their neighbors’ doors, handing out literature and doing everything possible to unseat the those up for reelection.
On Election Day, Krautsack and unit members celebrated an
immense victory.
Bogulski and Kozub were elected
to the Town Board, unseating Karen Hoak and Connelly in a tight race. The board also flipped to a Republican majority.
This now leaves Randy Hoak, a Democrat, on an island amongst the majority of town board members and Krautsack cheering from the rooftops.
“I’m so proud of our union membership,” said Krautsack. “This is a huge win for us. I’m optimistic that our lives will get easy again and we can just go back to work.”
Krautsack, unit members and CSEA’s region staff and leadership noted that they are confident this wouldn’t have been possible without the participation of unit members. They are optimistic that this new
dynamic will improve relations between CSEA and town officials.
“I’m extremely proud of members in the Town of Hamburg for their unwavering advocacy for positive change in their workplace and in
the town as a whole,” said Western Region President Steve
Healy. “While our region Political Action Committee officially endorses candidates, those endorsements are chosen by the members who will
see the direct impact
of the Town Board’s decisions. It is so reaffirming to me to see our dedicated members
doing everything they can to invoke change not only for themselves,
but for their colleagues and their community. We truly are stronger together.”
— Madison Ruffo
6 The Work Force
February 2024
Krautsack
ADM donations aid Veterans One-Stop Center
BUFFALO — At the 113th Annual Delegates Meeting in Buffalo, members of our union’s Standing Veterans Committee sold one-of-a- kind pins to raise money to aid local veterans.
Committee members raised more than $800.
On behalf of our union and
the committee, Western Region President Steve Healy and Western Region Executive Vice President Tim Finnigan recently presented the donation to staff at Veterans One-Stop Center, a Western New York-based nonprofit that provides resources for local veterans.
Healy and Finnigan were given a tour of their facilities and learned about the many resources and opportunities the organization offers to veterans.
“I was so impressed not only by their facilities but by their passion for helping local veterans looking for support,” said Healy. “It warms my heart to know that the donations from our members and the work
of our Veterans Committee will go directly toward helping those in need.”
Healy and Finnigan noted that one of the most unique features
of Veterans One-Stop Center were the boots that line the walls of the center’s lobby. From a Buffalo Bills-designed boot to one that includes flowers and mossy textures covering it inside and out, each boot was designed by a veteran as part of their “REBOOT” program.
This program is a unique fundraiser in which participants get one of two boots to keep and one to
From left to right, Veterans One-Stop Center Director of Veteran Engagement Dan Arnold and Veterans One-Stop Center Marketing Content Specialist Laney Hill accept a donation from CSEA Western Region President Steve Healy and Western Region Executive Vice President Tim Finnigan, who presented it on behalf of our union’s Standing Veterans Committee.
design and display. To reunite the pair of boots, participants must raise a certain amount of money.
“The ‘REBOOT’ campaign that they had displayed was not only an extremely creative fundraiser, but it gave local veterans the opportunity to really showcase their artistic talents,” said Finnigan, a veteran himself who serves on our union’s
Western Region Veterans Committee. “It warms my heart to see local veterans getting so involved in an organization like this and to see the people here care so deeply about providing support to such crucial members of our community.”
— Madison Ruffo
“I’m extremely proud of members in the Town of Hamburg for
their unwavering advocacy for positive change
in their workplace and in the town as a whole”