Page 9 - Work Force June 2024

June 2024 9
The Work Force
Dean Adams recently retired after
more than 40 years of service to
our union, including as a member
activist and longtime CSEA staff
member.
He most recently served as our
union’s Director of Field Operations.
Adams began his time with CSEA
in 1982 as a member when he was
hired at the Erie County Correctional
Facility.
Over the next 13 years, Adams
held various leadership roles,
including as Erie County Correctional
Facility Section President and Erie
County Unit Grievance Chair.
In 1995, Adams joined CSEA staff
as a Western Region Labor Relations
Specialist. He became CSEA’s Central
Region Director in 2016.
In 2020, following the retirement of
former Director Kate Luscombe, he
was appointed to be the Director of
Field Operations by CSEA President
Mary E. Sullivan.
“I’m very grateful for the
opportunity Mary gave me to lead
the Field Operations Department,”
said Adams. “I have always loved
working with and for our members.
It’s all about the members. CSEA has
the most amazing staff, too, and I was
proud to have the opportunity to
work with all of them.”
In his 29 years as a CSEA staff
member, Adams said that the biggest
challenges he faced were when
employers announced layoffs of our
union members.
“That’s the worst thing that can
happen to a member,” said Adams.
“These are their lives; their families.
Fighting for members to retain their
jobs and losing that fight for even
one of them was the most difficult
thing I ever had to do.”
If there was one thing Adams
could communicate to all of our
union members, it would be to
remember that CSEA staff has their
back.
“Trust your staff,” said Adams.
“Trust your representatives.”
Now that he’s retired, Adams
noted that he looks forward to
having some leisure time to himself
without having to worry about
work-related challenges.
“I plan to just relax, take a deep
breath, and let this all sink in before
I head off and do whatever I feel like
doing next,” he said.
“Dean was a valuable part of
CSEA for many years as a member,
activist, leader and staff person,”
said Sullivan. “His good nature made
him a likeable and effective leader. I
would like to thank him on behalf of
CSEA for his years of service. We will
miss him greatly, and we wish him all
the best in his retirement.”
Radosh assumes role
Susan Radosh recently became
our union’s new Director of Field
Operations. In her new role, Radosh
oversees our union’s region offices,
the Occupational Safety and Health
Department and Health Benefits
Department.
“I’m pleased to welcome Susan
into her new role and I have
complete confidence she will do an
amazing job,” said Sullivan. “I look
forward to working with her and I
hope you all will as well.”
Before her appointment to her
current title, Radosh had served as a
Deputy Director of State Operations
at our union for five years. Before
joining CSEA, Radosh worked at PEF,
where she represented members at
grievances, disciplines, arbitrations,
PERB hearings and assisted with
organizing in the private sector.
She negotiated private sector, local
“It’s all about the members”
Adams reflects on his
CSEA service
From left, former CSEA Director of Member Engagement Adam Acquario,
former Central Region Office Manager Doreen Brazaitis and former
Director of Field Operations Dean Adams show their union pride during a
region member engagement event.
government
contracts and
assisted in state
negotiations in
that position.
"I have spent
25 years in the
labor movement,
been a shop
steward myself,
represented
members at various actions and
enjoy seeing members empowered
to fight for their rights in the
workplace,” said Radosh.
Radosh said she sees an
opportunity to increase membership,
member participation and activism.
“CSEA has wonderful staff
resources across the state, and we
can use those resources to increase
member workplace activism, which
in turns builds union power,” said
Radosh. “Member power in the
workplace is the basis for better,
safer working conditions, better
wages and benefits. Union power is
the foundation for justice for CSEA
members.”
— Mathew L. Cantore
Cottrell is PEOPLE Recruiter of the Month
for April
SYRACUSE
— Ali Cottrell
of the SUNY
Upstate Medical
University Local
in the Central
Region is PEOPLE
Recruiter of the
Month for April.
Cottrell, who
serves as the
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Local President, recruited 15 new
PEOPLE members.
CSEA PEOPLE program protects
and improves our jobs, benefits,
and pensions in Washington,
Albany, and in your community.
Your support and participation in
PEOPLE strengthens our union’s
power in the workplace, in the
legislature, in your community, and
in the greater labor movement.
— Nicholas Newcomb
Cottrell
Radosh