Page 2 - Work Force July-August 2023

Photo of the Month
Our union, state continue recruitment and retention efforts
The City of White Plains Unit was represented at the city’s Juneteenth parade in White Plains on June 10. Standing, from left to right, City of White Plains Unit member Carlos Esquivel, Unit 2nd Vice President Vinny Buffone, and member Keith Graves. Pictured with them is Aurelia Graves, Keith Graves’ daughter and granddaughter of Unit President Joe Longo. (Photo by Raffilina Longo Graves.)
“You are making a profound change every single day and opening
up the doors
to the greatest noble jobs in our state, and that is the part of our public-sector workforce,” said Hochul to Hogues, also president
of the state’s
Civil Service Commission.
The governor also recognized the state’s unionized workforce.
equal access to service careers,
to expanding job opportunities for individuals with disabilities, to making New Yorkers from all communities more aware of the meaningful career opportunities available in public service,” said Hogues. “Paid parental leave will be the latest action to help us recruit and retain a diverse and talented workforce that will serve all New Yorkers for
2 The Work Force
July-August 2023
ALBANY — CSEA and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration are continuing to work together to promote civil service recruitment and retention.
The governor, while announcing the expansion of paid parental leave to eligible state employees (see Page 3), praised State Civil Service Commissioner Timothy Hogues’ efforts to modernize the agency’s practices to allow for worker recruitment and retention.
in them and you’re truly solving problems for people every single day.”
Hogues, who introduced Hochul at the June 13 news conference, noted that the state Department of Civil Service has been working to implement New York State Budget measures that promote worker recruitment and retention.
“We are moving forward on several exciting initiatives that were included in this year’s budget, from promoting
Important Election Information Request: Keep your contact information up-to-date
As the 2024 election season approaches for CSEA Statewide, Region, Statewide
Board of Directors and AFSCME International Convention Delegates, please ensure we have your
most current mailing and contact information now.
Update us by logging into or creating your online member account at cseany.org/register. Once logged in, select “MY CSEA ACCOUNT” in the application dropdown box. You will need your CSEA Member ID Number, which can be looked up on the home page of our union’s website at cseany.org.
If you don’t have a computer or don’t wish to update your information online, call CSEA Headquarters at 1-800-342-4146. Our staff in the Member Solutions Center can assist you in updating your information.
“You’re the ones that keep the state running and thriving,” said Hochul. “I will never, ever take for granted what you do. Often, you’re the unsung heroes. You don’t get a lot of pats on the back.”
Hochul, who has noted that unions are very important to her family, stressed that she will never take public employees for granted.
“I will always not just defend you, but herald you, talk about you publicly as we try really hard to encourage others to seek the noble path of public service, as you have all done,” said Hochul. “These are great jobs. There’s a lot of pride
many years to come.”
In April, Hogues outlined some
of the agency’s initiatives to CSEA officers during our union’s Board of Directors meeting.
“I have been lucky to get to know and work alongside many of you as we work hard to modernize the civil service process and bring new talent into the public service,” said Hogues. “I’m grateful to Governor Hochul
for her support and commitment to bolstering our public workforce and making government work better for all New Yorkers.”
— Janice Gavin
From left to right, State Civil Service Commissioner Timothy Hogues and CSEA Statewide Secretary Richard Bebo, who spoke on behalf of CSEA at a news conference announcing the expansion of paid parental leave.