Page 8 - Work Force March 2024

Conference unites union members, legislators
ALBANY — CSEA members joined state legislators and other New York state unions at the 53rd Annual
New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Conference.
Attendees filled their time at the three-day conference attending informative workshops that focused on the unique issues people
of color face in the workplace, online and their communities.
There was a particular
focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Attendees discussed the impact AI is having on the workforce and what organized labor can do to protect workers.
Guest speakers at the conference included Gov. Kathy Hochul, Lt.
Gov. Antonio Delgado, Coalition
of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) President and New York State AFL- CIO Secretary-Treasurer Terry Melvin, New York City Mayor Eric
Adams, New York State Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
Labor leaders
and state legislators also addressed the receptive crowd by thanking them for the workplace efforts along
with recognizing the many union organizations in attendance.
The weekend concluded with an awards gala where honorees were recognized for their contributions to their communities.
— Wendi Bowie
From left to right, CSEA Member Relations Associate and Retiree member Ursula Howard catches up with conference attendee Regina Grissom.
Front row, from left to right, SUNY Upstate Local President Ali Cottrell, CSEA Rochester Retirees Local member Charlene Finnigan, Central Region Executive Vice President Chantalise DeMarco, Capital Region Secretary Susan Watson-Amos, Capital Region 1st Vice President Danielle Kilmer, former CSEA Executive Vice President Denise Berkley, CSEA Member Relations Associate and Retiree member Ursula Howard, Erie County Unit 3rd Vice President Ebony Rose and Capital Region President Shana Davis. Back row, from left to right, Capital Region Labor Relations Specialist Dean Ellis, Western Region Executive Vice President Tim Finnigan, Metropolitan DDSO Local President Evans Quamina, CSEA Executive Vice President
Ron Briggs, CSEA Statewide Secretary Richard Bebo, Metropolitan Region President Lester Crockett and Nassau County Local activist Audrey Hadden.
“I am here learning new things, meeting new people and expanding my knowledge. The people that I’m meeting along the
way are fabulous. I’m establishing new friendships, passing along information and gaining new information. T”his conference has really taught me a lot.
— Charlene Finnigan, Rochester Area Retirees Local member
“Attending conferences like this one are very important. Knowledge is the key to power. The more you know, the better you
can be for yourself, your family and yo”ur community.
— Evans Quamina, Metropolitan DDSO Local President
From left to right. Capital Region President Shana Davis and Statewide Secretary Richard
Bebo chat about important issues between visiting information tables at the conference.
8 The Work Force
March 2024