Page 2 - Work Force March 2024

Photo of the Month
Aaron Peters, Niagara State Park Commission Local member
MEDINA — CSEA is mourning
the loss of Niagara State Park Commission Local member Aaron
J. Peters, who passed away Jan. 17, 2024, while involved in tree removal at Golden Hill State Park. He was 32.
CSEA’s Occupational Safety and Health Department and the state Public Employees Safety and Health (PESH) Bureau are investigating the incident.
Aaron had worked for the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for several years, serving on the regional ropes access team and sawyer crew. He had deep family ties to the state park system. Aaron was the son of recently retired Niagara Region Deputy General Manager Ron Peters and Jennifer Ray, who recently left the regional business office.
On January 24, Gov. Kathy Hochul directed the flags on all state buildings to be flown at half staff in Aaron’s honor.
“Aaron’s tragic death is a solemn reminder of how CSEA members
New York State Department of Transportation Mid-Hudson Local members show off their customized t-shirts for the recent Fishkill Polar Plunge, in which CSEA Southern Region members participated. From left to right, Lemuel Grizzle, Christine Bennett, Lisa Ferguson, Chris Conway and Marcus Lunsford. See Page 15 for more. (Photo by Jessica Ladlee).
Peters
put their lives on the line every day to serve our communities,” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan. “My deepest condolences go out to Aaron’s family, friends and loved ones.”
According to his obituary, Aaron had a love of nature and the outdoors. He also loved animals, especially dogs and snakes. Aaron also enjoyed video games, music and cheering on his favorite sports teams.
He is survived by his parents,
a daughter, girlfriend, siblings
and many more extended family members and friends. Services were held in late January.
Deadlines for submitting proposed changes to CSEA’s Constitution & By-Laws; proposed Resolutions
Proposed amendments to
the CSEA Constitution & By-Laws for consideration by CSEA delegates to the union’s 2024 Regular Delegates Meeting must be submitted by June 15, 2024, using the required proposal forms.
Proposed Resolutions for consideration by CSEA delegates to the union’s 2024 Regular Delegates Meeting must be submitted by
July 1, 2024, using the required
proposal forms. Proposed Resolutions may be submitted only by a delegate.
Proposal forms are available from the Statewide Secretary’s Office at CSEA Headquarters and region offices.
Completed proposals must be submitted to the CSEA Statewide Secretary, CSEA Headquarters, 143 Washington Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12210-2303.
Jim Hennerty, longtime CSEA staff member
This Week in
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2 The Work Force
March 2024
ALBANY — CSEA is mourning the loss of longtime CSEA staff member Jim Hennerty, who passed away on Jan. 27, 2024, at age 74.
Jim was
employed at
our union for 33 years, starting as a field representative for Schuyler, Chemung and Tompkins counties and later as the director for labor relations and personnel.
He spent the latter 24 years of
his career as Deputy Director of Contract Administration (now known as State Operations).
He was a key negotiator in six
separate State Executive Branch contracts between 1990 and 2012 and served as lead negotiator for multiple agreements between our union and the state Office of Court Administration.
“Jim was an avid advocate for
the grievance and disciplinary
rights of every union member, no matter how big or how small the issue,” said former CSEA Director of Contract Administration Ross Hanna. “Jim was an absolute gentleman
in all of his work, including when working with his adversaries across the table. He was respected by his colleagues and peers alike.”
Jim retired from CSEA in 2013. Off the job, Jim was known for his love of classical music and reading, as well as generosity and kindness.
Hennerty