Page 18 - Work Force May 2021

Meet new CSEA PEOPLE Coordinator Kim Wallace-Russo
Editor’s Note:
Former longtime CSEA Capital Region activist Kim Wallace-Russo recently took on
a new role in our
union — as the
new CSEA PEOPLE
Coordinator. CSEA’s
PEOPLE program
protects and improves our jobs, benefits and pensions in Washington, Albany and in your community.
Your support and participation in PEOPLE strengthens CSEA’s clout in the workplace, in the legislature, in your community and in the labor movement.
Here, Wallace-Russo discusses with The Work Force her new role, why PEOPLE is so important for CSEA members and how you can play a role in PEOPLE.
The Work Force (WF): Before joining CSEA staff as the new PEOPLE Coordinator, you had been a longtime CSEA activist. Can you please discuss this background and how it prepared you for your new role?
Kim Wallace-Russo (Wallace-Russo):
My CSEA activism really kicked off in 1999 when I was appointed secretary of a large state Local, Tax [State Taxation and Finance] Local 690. While it was new to me, I loved it and grew in the position. As my passion for activism continued, my roles within our union expanded.
Over the next 20 years, I served as Capital Region Secretary and Treasurer, became President of
my local and served on various Statewide committees, including the Women’s Committee, Constitution and By-Laws, Judicial Board,
Board of Directors Representative and Chair of the State Executive Committee. Any time there was an opportunity to work on behalf of my union, I said yes!
I can honestly say that every position I held or committee I served on gave me a new perspective and educated me about the membership. I bring that 20 plus years of knowledge to becoming the PEOPLE Coordinator. It was important to me to be visible, accountable and always try to be the best advocate for my members in every arena I was in.
It was equally as important to try and make the members understand that we needed them to be active
in order to be a strong union and local. That includes participation in the PEOPLE Program. This program provides so many resources beyond CSEA dues. Our dues can’t provide funding for us to lobby Congress
for federal aid, or state, federal and local leaders on legislation that is important and essential to us as public employees.
WF: What do you hope to bring to the PEOPLE Coordinator role, and what are your goals?
Wallace-Russo: I hope to bring knowledge and understanding of the PEOPLE Program and its importance! I understand that we need to raise money in order to fund this program. I also understand that can be difficult to for members to want to hear, but I want to explain why it is essential for them now and for their futures.
PEOPLE money helps preserve services, protect jobs and avoid layoffs. A big one for me is that PEOPLE provided financial support to fight against a Constitutional Convention that would have put our pensions at risk. For these reasons and many more, the program is so important. This program is not party driven! We will lobby and support politicians from all sides of the table to ensure that we have their support on issues that are in our best interest.
WF: Can you speak about the importance of the PEOPLE Program, particularly why it’s so important for members to participate?
Wallace-Russo: I know how important it is to secure the benefits that we have been promised! Also, for example, health insurance costs, Social Security, Medicare benefits and the other benefits that we were promised. We were instrumental in the campaign for the much-needed federal aid that we just received! We must be vigilant and pay attention! We cannot be asleep at the wheel! All of this takes time, effort and money!
WF: How do members join the program and any other important details?
Wallace-Russo: You can join this program any number of ways.
• You can access a PEOPLE application on the CSEA website: https://cseany.org/people
• Email either PEOPLE@cseainc.org or kim.wallacerusso@cseainc.org
• Call the CSEA Legislative & Political Action Department at (800) 342-4146, Ext. 1404 or (518) 436-8622.
Wallace-Russo
The CSEA/AFSCME PEOPLE program is launching a $50 pre-paid debit card contest. To enter, members simply provide their name, email address and phone number. On the last day of each month, from May to October, one CSEA member will be randomly selected to win. Look for more contest information at upcoming Region and Local events, or visit our website at https://cseany.org/peoplecontest
Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality
What is the PEOPLE Program?
The PEOPLE Program is a voluntary contribution
fund for CSEA’s legislative and political action program. In order to continue to remain a force to be reckoned with, CSEA needs resources. However, federal election law prohibits using your union dues for campaigns and lobbying on the federal level. The PEOPLE Program provides the funds that bring us political clout
and give us the ability to influence legislation and political leaders at the federal, state and local levels.
For as little as 27 cents per
day, you can help to protect and strengthen collective bargaining rights, health care and retirement benefits, safety in the workplace and much more. Whether we are public or private sector workers or retirees, a strong political presence is vital to our existence as a union.
JOIN TODAY: https://cseany.org/people or (800) 342-4146, Ext. 1404
18 The Work Force
May 2021
$50 In Your Pocket Enter to Win!