Page 2 - Work Force May 2020

Photo of the Month
Bridge Authority saved in budget
HIGHLAND — Our members working for the New York State Bridge Authority recently breathed sighs
of relief following the news that legislators shelved a state budget proposal that would have merged the Bridge Authority with the state Thruway Authority.
Our members, state elected officials, and community activists, had been strongly opposed to the proposal, arguing that a merger made no sense due to the Bridge Authority being financially self-sustaining.
“We’re relieved,” said CSEA New York State Bridge Authority Local President Mike Bernazzani. “I’m very thankful for the state legislators
who fought for us. I’m also proud
of our members and our union in general. Everyone worked together to raise awareness about this merger proposal and why it was wrong for Hudson Valley communities.”
Bernazzani said the merger attempt reminded community members of the importance the Bridge Authority plays in maintaining safe Hudson River crossings, which are used so frequently that many consider them as local roads. The Bridge Authority covers five Hudson River crossings, as far south as the Bear Mountain Bridge and as far north as the Rip Van Winkle Bridge.
“This merger proposal really got people in our communities reflecting on how well-run these bridges are, and how they provide safe and affordable crossings for people commuting and traveling throughout the Hudson Valley,” said CSEA Southern Region President Anthony Adamo. “Working together as union members with our state lawmakers and community members, our voices were heard in Albany.”
— Jessica Ladlee
This Week
In Albany email alerts
The quickest and easiest way to stay up-to-date on what is happening in Albany and Washington is “This Week in Albany.”
Sign up for “This Week in Albany” email alerts at cseany.org/legislative-political-action
Every spring, Niagara Falls State Park employees work on rock scaling operations along the wall of the Niagara Gorge adjacent to the American Falls. The workers are removing loose rocks, ice and debris that have built up over the winter months that could pose a danger to the safe operations of walkways, picnic sites, trail hiking and access to the lower observation decks. Pictured here, from left, are Jerel Rozanski, Park Worker 3, and Nick Santiago, Parks & Rec Aide 7. See story, page 8. (Photo by Chris Sodano II, Parks & Rec Aide 5)
Update your contact information with CSEA
Now more than ever, it’s important for our union to be able to communicate. Please help us make sure we have your most current contact information. Update us by emailing infoupdate@cseainc.org (please include your full name)
or by logging into or creating your online member account at https://cseany.org/register. Once logged in, select “MY CSEA ACCOUNT” in the application dropdown box.
email: infoupdate@cseainc.org • web: https://cseany.org/register
May 15 is deadline for submitting proposed Resolutions, changes to CSEA’s Constitution & Bylaws
Proposed Resolutions and proposed amendments to the CSEA Constitution & Bylaws for consideration by CSEA delegates to the union’s 2020 Regular Delegates Meeting must be submitted by May 15, 2020.
Proposed Resolutions or proposed amendments may be submitted only by a delegate and must be submitted on the proper
forms which are available from the Statewide Secretary’s Office at CSEA headquarters and region offices.
Proposed Resolutions and proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws must be submitted no later than May 15, 2020, to Statewide Secretary Richard Bebo, CSEA Headquarters, 143 Washington Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12210-2303.
2 The Work Force
May 2020