Page 9 - Work Force June 2019

DOT local presidents reach out to members and talk safety
LAKE GEORGE — When CSEA State Department of Transportation (DOT) local presidents gathered for their recent annual conference, something new happened.
For the first time ever, nearly 20 DOT local presidents from across the state hit the pavement in Washington and Warren counties to share information and listen to member concerns.
“The blitz [member
engagement
action] was
actually thought
of last year at
our Presidents’
Conference in
Syracuse by
Statewide Labor-
Management Chair
Chuck Parsons,”
said CSEA Transportation Region 1 Local President Mike Garfolo, whose local includes the DOT members who were visited. “Of course, I approved of the idea and was excited to get out and talk with the members in my region.”
The group visited 40 homes in one night, a tall order given the fact that homes are spread out in Warren and Washington counties.
One-on-one-conversations
with dozens of members gave
CSEA leaders the venue to ensure information about CSEA’s continued advocacy and engagement to make work zones safer is reaching our
members. “United we are
strong; divided
we are weak,” Garfolo said. “I strongly believe this. Our members are the lifeblood of CSEA, and their involvement is critical for our further success. We want to make
sure our members know this.” Our union’s Occupational
Safety and Health Department has continued to beat the drum about the state’s Move Over Law, ending distracted driving and educating the public with coordinated statewide
CSEA Transportation Region 1 Local President Mike Garfolo, right, offers new information to Randy DeCook, a highway maintenance worker in Garfolo’s local who lives in Warren County.
“The members are the lifeblood of CSEA, and their involvement is critical for the further success of our organization. We want to make sure our members know this.”
Left, Southern Tier State Employees Local 1st Vice President Robert Eastwood Sr., a highway maintenance worker 2 at DOT in Owego, and Schoharie Residency DOT Local President David Hendrick Jr., right, visit with a member in Washington County.
June 2019
The Work Force 9
and national campaigns like the “Don’t Zone Out” and “Drive Like You Work Here” campaigns. This work continues to be of the most importance to our members.
Just as every good conversation, the information flowed both ways.
engagement experience was very helpful as this group learned this new way of communicating.
“Member engagement actions have become an important part
of our union’s communication,” Berkley said. “With each one-on-one
“Meeting
with members one-on-one
was a great
experience for
me as a union
leader as well,”
Garfolo said.
“I learned that sometimes the information that
I send through
does not always
reach the
membership.
The one-on-one conversations
we had [during
this action]
revealed that I
will have to do
more following
up at the member end.”
Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley also participated in reaching out to our members. Her infectious enthusiasm and prior member
conversation, everyone
is learning. Information
is passed
from leader
to member,
and from member back
to leadership. Everyone benefits and
this makes us stronger. I am delighted to have been witness to the energy and positivity that came from DOT. This blitz served as a model that
I believe will continue to serve all DOT members
well in the future.”
— Jill Asencio
Schoharie Residency DOT Local President David Hendrick Jr. and Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley prepare to visit with members.