Page 6 - Work Force July-August 2018

Local rises
to the
occasion
for member
outreach
WAMPSVILLE — Earlier this year, CSEA was busy preparing to send teams of union activists and staff to rural Madison County to reach out to our members at their homes as part of our union’s latest targeted member engagement efforts.
That didn’t end up happening — for all the right reasons.
In an effort that exemplifies
“rise to the occasion,” our Madison County Local officers decided they weren’t going to expend our union’s resources bringing in people from the outside. They were determined to get the work done themselves.
“When we learned that they were planning a ‘blitz’ for our area, that’s when we kicked this into high gear,” said Madison County Local President
Madison County Local and White Collar Unit President Betty Jo Johnson speaks with members at a lunch meeting about negotiations and keeping our union strong. To her right is Local Executive Vice President Karen Bright.
6 The Work Force
July-August 2018
Betty Jo Johnson. “We knew that we didn’t need staff and activists coming in from all over; we could take care of this on our own.”
That’s exactly what they did. Madison County Local officers had already reached out to some union members at the local’s holiday party, getting members to fill out “Never Quit” cards, but they knew there was more outreach to be done.
At the local’s next executive board meeting, Madison County Local Executive Vice President Karen Bright cornered each of the local’s seven unit presidents and didn’t let them leave until they had
set up a schedule of work site lunch or outside-of-work “tailgate” style meetings.
“We had an extremely positive response with members signing Never Quit cards and vowing to stay union members,” Bright said.
“We probably had a 98 percent positive response rate,” said Johnson.
For workers in the county’s White-Collar Unit, local officers folded their Never Quit presentations into small departmental lunch meetings held to discuss upcoming contract negotiations. Seeking a quicker resolution to contract talks,
management provided meeting space and access to union members.
“It was easier to discuss staying union strong within the context of contract negotiations,” Johnson said.
Bright also credited their unit presidents with keeping the momentum going.
“We need to give a shout-out to our unit presidents,” Bright said. “Even after the meetings were held, they continued to hold one-on-one meetings with members to get cards signed.”
— Mark M. Kotzin
Mobilization saves Yonkers school jobs
YONKERS — Thanks to our union’s mobilization efforts and cooperation from elected officials, the 127 CSEA members from the Yonkers School District Unit previously facing layoffs this summer will now be staying on the job.
The city’s $45.3 million budget gap would have cut bus monitors, safety officers, clerical workers, school aides and custodians from a school district already operating at bare bones staffing levels.
Concerned about ensuring the Yonkers community knew what was at stake, Yonkers School District Unit President Lionel Turner appeared on local radio and cable access television shows to rally
support, also writing an op-ed for a local newspaper.
Not long before Mayor Mike Spano announced the budget shortfall,
CSEA
members there ratified a new contract after difficult negotiations.
“We are
grateful that
Governor
Cuomo
interceded and provided the funding that, along with a city property tax increase, allowed our members to
remain on the job,” said Turner. “This gives the city time to get its fiscal house in order. Our members are tired of this annual saga where
their livelihoods are at risk. We did not create this financial crisis and stood firm opposing givebacks, but we will definitely
be part of the conversation moving forward to determine where other savings might be found.”
Turner commended unit officers, who stepped up their activism throughout the campaign, saying the experience helped them build even stronger leadership skills.
Westchester County Local President John Staino said the victory is a prime example of why staying union is the way to stay strong.
“When union members stand together, we win,” Staino said. “Now, more than ever, it pays to remain committed to our union. This win in Yonkers shows that there really is great strength in numbers.”
— Jessica Ladlee
“When union members stand together, we win. Now, more than ever, it pays to remain committed to our union. This win in Yonkers shows that there really is great strength in numbers.”