Page 2 - Work Force June 2021

Photo of the Month
Juneteenth now an official state holiday; what it means for members
CSEA Town of Oyster Bay Local members enjoy their time in front of the camera as subjects of this year’s CSEA Appreciation Day commercial shoot. For more, see pages 1, 10-12. Photo by Wendi Bowie.
Worker struck while on sanitation route
Juneteenth, observed on June 19,
is now an official public holiday in New York State.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation in October 2020 officially marking Juneteenth as a state
public holiday, several months after he had issued an executive order recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday for state employees. Some local governments had also recognized the holiday in 2020.
The new state law celebrates Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, which celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. On June 19, 1865, a Union Army general announced the federal orders in Texas even though President Abraham Lincoln had officially
outlawed slavery in Texas and the other Confederate states almost two and half years earlier.
Cuomo, when
signing the
legislation, noted the holiday
is intended to celebrate the achievements of the Black community and provide an opportunity for self-reflection on the systemic injustices that face our society.
What it means for CSEA members
Under the official state law, Juneteenth is now a paid state holiday for state employees.
For CSEA members employed
by the State Executive Branch, Juneteenth — June 19 — will become an additional paid state holiday. Workers will not lose any other paid holidays; State Executive Branch employees now have 13 paid holidays.
In 2021, Juneteenth falls on Saturday, June 19, so this would count as a pass day holiday. Eligible employees will earn 7.5
or 8 hours of holiday leave to be used at another time, subject to supervisory approval. Employees who normally work on Saturday would receive either a paid day off, or compensatory time to be used at another time.
As this edition went to press, the Unified Court System was working on specific guidance on the Juneteenth holiday for court employees.
Some local governments and private sector employers are also observing Juneteenth. If you work
for a local government or private sector employer, please consult your labor relations specialist or local/unit officers for guidance.
Many local governments and private employers are expected to observe
Juneteenth
this year. Some corporations are pledging additional support to ongoing efforts to fight for racial justice. In some cases, the corporations
are donating to organizations that are working for equality and racial justice.
Recognizing Juneteenth is an important advancement in the ongoing fight for equality and racial justice.
“The decision to observe Juneteenth in the workplace comes as more employers voice their support for racial justice,” said Ali Cottrell, chair of CSEA’s Special Committee on Minority Issues. “The labor movement has long been a strong supporter in fighting for equality and justice. The decision to observe Juneteenth and support the fight for racial justice by government and corporations shows that labor
is helping make a strong impact on history.”
— Janice Gavin and Mark M. Kotzin
LIBERTY — A CSEA Village of Liberty Unit member is recovering from serious injuries after a motorist struck him near a village sanitation truck while workers were completing their morning route in this Sullivan County community.
According to news reports, CSEA member Eric Bradley was standing by the back of a village sanitation truck the morning of March 23 when a driver operating a Ford Taurus hit him, pinning him against the truck.
Bradley was transported by helicopter to Westchester Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma Center, with major leg injuries and blood loss. Bradley ultimately lost part of one leg due to his injuries.
In addition to a police investigation, both PESH and CSEA’s Occupational Safety and Health Department are investigating.
In April, the Village of Liberty
Police Department awarded Officer Andrew Cross with its Life Saving Medal for his role in saving Bradley’s life. When he arrived at the crash scene, Cross realized that Bradley’s injuries were severe. Cross applied a tourniquet to Bradley’s leg, stemming the blood loss.
“A young man’s life has been permanently impacted because of a crash that was entirely preventable,” said Southern Region President Anthony Adamo. “We’re grateful for everyone who took such amazing care of Eric and got him on the road to recovery. As union members,
we need to support legislation that will make roads safer for workers and increase penalties for these preventable incidents. Everyone deserves to go home safe at the end of the workday.”
— Jessica Ladlee
The Safety
Net
CSEA Occupational Safety and Health Department
@CSEA_Safety_Net facebook.com/CSEASafetyNet cseany.org/safety
This past year has taught us the value of community and social connection. Let’s keep the momentum going and ensure worker safety & health remains a priority.
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2
The Work Force
June 2021