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Industrious labor- management partnership boosts youth services
RUSH — Management and staff at the state Office of Children and Family Services’ Industry Residential Center recently honored staff for their years of service.
CSEA members help provide numerous services to youths who are placed in the limited secure detention facility by the court system, including supervision.
Industry Residential Center Director Velma Harris, said a ceremony like this just wasn’t in the cards years ago. “There was a time when recognizing our staff with a ceremonial appreciation day just wouldn’t have happened,” she said. “But today, we have a terrific team of management and labor leaders here at Industry that have come together with the same vision to make this the best possible facility it can be. I thank everyone who is here today, and I especially thank all the CSEA and PEF employees who have
dedicated a lifetime to serving the needs of the children and families who come to us in need.”
“We are constantly looking for ways to improve the lives of the kids we serve and also build upon our labor-management relationship,” CSEA Industry Local President Michele Harris said. “At the end
of the day, we all want the same thing. We want to provide a safe nurturing environment for everyone who passes through these gates. Working here is a really tough job, so I am really happy we could do this ceremony today. Recognizing our fellow co-workers for their years of public service and their commitment to this job will improve morale, build our union and frankly — it’s just the right thing to do.”
Randy Charlton, a former CSEA local president and youth worker, attended the ceremony shortly before he retired from his 30-year
CSEA Industry Local President Michele Harris, center, congratulates Hector Melendez, left, and Randy Charlton, right, for their years of service during a recent staff appreciation day ceremony at the facility.
career at the end of January. “Looking back, I am very proud
of what we have done and how our union has really made a difference here at Industry,” said Charlton. “We just want to improve outcomes for these kids and keep our employees
educated and safe. While I admit the work was very demanding, it wasn’t that difficult to find something great in the most challenging child.”
— Ove Overmyer
Western Region takes the plunge for Special Olympics New York
CSEA members gather outside the VIP tent at the Rochester Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics New York.
ROCHESTER — Our Western Region members were among the thousands of people who took part in the 18th Annual Rochester Polar Plunge at Ontario Beach Park on Feb. 11.
For nearly a decade, CSEA’s Western Region has fielded a team of robust volunteers and donors
for the plunge. In 2018, a team of
20 activists and family members raised approximately $6,000 to support Special Olympics New York. The plunge helps raise money for Special Olympians to participate and compete at state, national and global sporting events.
After the plunge, Western Region President Flo Tripi helped our members warm up by hosting a
buffet lunch at a local restaurant. The Rochester Polar Plunge is
the largest of its kind in New York, and one of the largest Polar Plunges to benefit Special Olympics in the entire country.
CSEA is a longtime supporter of Special Olympics New York, and our members have participated in Polar Plunges across the state for more than a decade.
— Ove Overmyer
polarplungeny.org
March 2018
The Work Force 13