Page 14 - Work Force June 2025

CSEA members across the state recently participated in Workers Memorial Day ceremonies to remember those who have
passed away or became seriously injured while doing their jobs.
CSEA Long Island Region members joined their union family at the Long Island Federation of Labor’s Annual Workers’ Memorial Day Service.
During a candle lighting ceremony, the names of workers who lost their lives on the job were announced, along with shared anecdotes about the workers’ lives.
Speakers discussed the importance of practicing proper safety precautions and urged workers to become more politically engaged to protect future workers from suffering the same fate as those who were being memorialized. The ceremony concluded with a memorial flower bed planting by the Workers’ Memorial Monument, which stands outside of the New York State offices in Hauppauge.
In the Western Region, a Workers Memorial Day ceremony was led by Rochester DOT Local President Brian Ossont. Western Region President Steve Healy spoke about the importance of remembering all the members we have lost, including Stephen Ebling, a New York State Thruway Authority Local member who was based in Western New York who died while doing his job alongside the highway in November 2024.
“We must remember all the members we have lost over the year,” said Healy, “These are people who went to work, simply to do a job to make a living and paid the ultimate price.”
It was highlighted that safety for all workers is always top priority. “Our goal is to make sure everyone gets home safely, no matter where they work or what they do,” said Healy.
In addition to Healy, speakers included DOT Region 4 Director Chris Reeve, DOT Region 4 Director, DOT Region 4 Safety & Health Representative Cory Martindale, PEF Statewide Vice President Randi Diantonio and DOT Region 4 Director of Operations Scott Robinson.
— Wendi Bowie and Sara McNicholas
CSEA members from the Westchester County Unit and Westchester County Local joined with members of Maria Coto’s family to honor her life during the Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body’s annual Workers Memorial Vigil, held this year in Yonkers. Attendees wore buttons emblazoned with Maria’s photo. Attendees included a number of colleagues from the Department of Social Services.
14 The Work Force
June 2025
CSEA members attending the memorial service gather around the Long Island Workers’ Memorial. From left, CSEA/VOICE 100A Nassau Chapter Representative Janna Rodriguez, Suffolk Area Retirees Local Treasurer Ruby Thomas, Town of Oyster Bay Local 3rd Vice President Sherri Porter, Town of Oyster Bay Local 1st Vice President Gina Valli, Town
of Oyster Bay Local Executive Vice President Thomas Robinson, CSEA Occupational Safety and Health Specialist Justin Gallo, Long Island Region President Jarvis Brown, Town of Oyster Bay Local President Guadalupe Johnson, Long Island Judiciary Local Vice President Darlene Devlin, Long Island Judiciary Local President Larry Germano, and CSEA Nassau Area Retirees Local Executive Vice President Stanley Bergman.
Long Island Region President Jarvis Brown prepares to plant a flower at the Workers’ Memorial.