Page 2 - Work Force March 2019

Photo of the Month
Stay alert, stay safe
CSEA members from the Beacon School District Unit plunged into the icy waters at Camp Mariah Feb. 16 as part of the Fishkill Polar Plunge, a major annual fundraiser for Special Olympics New York. Our members have participated in this event for over a decade, raising thousands of dollars
to help the athletes with disabilities participating in Special Olympics programs across the Hudson Valley. (Photo by Jessica Ladlee)
distributed important safety information and safety whistles
to state employees near state agency parking lots on Elk Street.
CSEA Capital Region 4 President Ron Briggs, left, gives a safety tip card and whistle to state Higher Education Services Corporation Local Secretary Delores Lesson, right.
many of her co-workers have expressed being nervous in state parking lots.
“I’m glad our union and the state are taking action,” said Zazycki.
Delores Lesson, recording secretary of the state Higher Education Services Corporation Local, also admits
2 The Work Force
March 2019
ALBANY — In the wake of a recent assault on a state employee in a downtown Albany parking lot, our union is working to ensure that members stay safe.
CSEA is working with state officials to raise awareness and boost safety in the area, where hundreds of state employees park every day.
CSEA Capital Region President Ron Briggs, region activists and union staff
recently
walking in a public space, so we are giving out tips and safety whistles toward this effort.”
Many state employees admitted to being apprehensive in the lot area, particularly later in the day when there are fewer people around.
Carin Zazycki, a Medicaid eligibility examiner at the state Department of Health, said that while she takes the bus to and from work,
Prepare for the NYS Professional Career
Opportunities (PCO) Exam
Are you taking the New York State Professional Career Opportunities (PCO) exam in April? Let our union help you study for the exam!
The CSEA WORK Institute will be offering member-only workshops covering topics on this exam, just one more valuable benefit of your CSEA membership.
We are offering the workshop at the following locations:
March 9 March 16 March 19 March 23 March 25 March 30
& 20 & 26
CSEA Long Island Region Office, Commack CSEA Central Region Office, East Syracuse NYS United Teachers’ (NYSUT) Office, Latham CSEA Southern Region Office, Beacon
CSEA Metropolitan Region Office, Manhattan CSEA Western Region Office, Amherst
Seating is limited, so sign up now by visiting
csealearningcenter.org/learncenter/wregister.cfm
If you can’t attend a workshop, our FREE online courses are available 24 hours per day from any computer and cover all topics on this exam. Check out our courses at: csealearningcenter.org
For more information, contact the CSEA WORK Institute at 866-478-5548.
ALERT
CSEA President Danny Donohue to meet with Capital Region members
CSEA President Danny Donohue will visit the Capital Region on Wednesday, April 17. The meetings will be held from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the High Peaks Resort, 2384 Saranac Ave., Lake Placid. Please call the region office at (518) 782-4400 to sign up for a visit or if you have any questions.
State
officials have
recently
increased
security in the parking lots in that area, including increasing patrols, increasing parking lot lighting and clearing brush from the edges of lots that border wooded areas.
she takes the bus for safety reasons, particularly when she and her co- workers have to work late.
“We’re in the office until 7:30 p.m. [two nights per week],” Lesson said. “We’re a little nervous this time of night. It’s good to see that everyone works together. Union strong!”
To see tips about how to stay safe while in parking lots, visit cseany.org/parking-lot-safety-tips.
— Janice Gavin
“There was an incident in a parking lot in which a state employee was hurt. State and CSEA are working together on a higher level to increase security,” Briggs said. “Our job is to help members to understand that they should remember they are