Page 2 - Work Force May 2025

2 The Work Force May 2025
From left, CSEA Metropolitan Region Political Action Coordinator Matthew
D’Amico, CSEA New York Metropolitan Retirees Local activist Althea
Green, Lifespire Local Treasurer Angela Vasquez, SUNY Downstate 1st
Vice President Dagoberto Flores, and Lifespire Local President Nicole
Davis join more than 100,000 New Yorkers and millions across the nation
in demanding that the Trump administration keep its hands off our jobs,
benefits, agencies, immigrants, health care, education and so much more.
For more, see Page 3. (Photo by David Galarza.)
Photo of the Month
ALBANY — As this edition went to
press, the New York State Budget,
which was due April 1, was already
several weeks late and negotiations
were continuing.
Without a budget in place, the
legislature was forced to pass a
series of budget extenders needed
to keep state government operating
and to pay the state workforce.
CSEA monitored this situation to
ensure these bills were passed in a
timely manner so as not to disrupt
paycheck schedules of state division
members.
Throughout the budget process,
CSEA has been actively engaged in
lobbying efforts to secure funding
for SUNY hospitals, achieve pension
equity for DMNA members and
push for workplace protection laws
including expanding permanent
Work Zone Speed Camera program
and increasing penalties for violence
against DMV license examiners
and highway workers, among other
issues.
Over the last several months,
CSEA has participated in many
events to raise awareness of our
union’s priorities.
Members are encouraged to
check in with our coverage of the
New York State Budget by visiting
cseany.org/issues for the most
updated information, and if need be,
continue our lobbying efforts with
the Governor and State Legislature.
State budget negotiations
continue
ALBANY — The recent clawback
of federal public health grants and
layoffs of more than 10,000 workers
at the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services also retroactively
terminated the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention’s (CDC)
Health Disparities Grant, impacting
important public health programs
across the state.
Nearly 150 private sector
positions represented by CSEA at
Health Research Inc. (HRI) were at
risk due to these cuts.
In response, Gov. Kathy Hochul
swiftly intervened to reassign as
many affected employees possible to
other grant projects.
As this edition went to press, the
situation remains fluid as the aim
is to safeguard public health and
prevent permanent job losses.
The grant also terminates 135
contracts with community-based
organizations, pivotal public health
programming and capacity building.
Retraction of this grant stops $11
million further investment in more
than 145 small community-based
organizations across the state that
HRI employees were working on,
including more than 180 separate
projects that improved people’s
overall health and wellness,
decreasing risk of chronic disease,
adverse mental health, food
insecurity and many other benefits
to our communities that are actually
consistent with the Make America
Healthy Again policy of the Trump
administration.
“This isn’t using a scalpel to
make minor budget cuts,” said CSEA
President Mary E. Sullivan. “It’s using
a chainsaw to hack away at public
services that will harm communities.
These grant cuts disproportionately
affect underserved and vulnerable
communities in addition to the
workforce. This is reckless and
unacceptable. Losing these public
health services will be not only
devastate the communities served
but will have long-lasting impact for
all New York families.”
“With the announcement of
$300 million in cuts in Department
of Health programs across
the state, this is the tip of the
iceberg,” said Sullivan. “Cutting
funding for researching emerging
diseases, strengthening our ability
to respond to future outbreaks,
outreach and education relies on
public health grants. It is clear
that this administration’s policies
disproportionately benefit the rich
and corporations while hurting
hardworking Americans.”
— Jill Asencio
CSEA slams Trump
administration for drastic
cuts to public health services
May is Member Appreciation Month!
Please join us on May 19 at 7 p.m. when we will unite as a
union, with a live and virtual toast, to celebrate
you and your contributions, connect with fellow
members and enjoy some well-deserved recognition
and relaxation. Stay tuned to your email, social
media and our website to learn exactly how to join
us. I hope you will save the date.
Recognizing the exceptional work you do, CSEA will be holding or
sponsoring special events in each region throughout the month
of May.
‘A toast to you!’