Page 3 - Work Force May 2025

May 2025
CSEA is deeply concerned over how federal cuts
to education will affect public schools in New
York.
President Donald Trump recently signed an
executive order to begin the dismantling of the U.S.
Department of Education. The administration has
noted they want to turn the oversight of education
services to the states and local school districts.
Soon after the order was signed, the
administration laid off more than 1,300 U.S.
Department of Education staff. Between these
layoffs and earlier retirements and resignations,
the department has lost about half of its staff since
Trump took office.
The U.S. Department of Education oversees
programs tracking student achievement, oversees
funding aid for public schools, coordinates federal
student loans and other financial aid for college,
enforces civil rights laws in schools, ensures
services for students with disabilities and living in
poverty and coordinates school nutrition programs.
While it would require action by Congress to
fully shut down the agency, the executive order
has also gutted numerous programs. Particularly
hard hit was the department’s Office of Civil Rights,
which enforces federal civil rights in schools. The
administration closed numerous Office of Civil
Rights regional offices nationwide and severely
reduced staffing in others.
While the immediate impact of the cuts on
students and educators is unclear, the long-term
consequences will depend on how the department
is phased out and how essential functions are
redistributed.
Before the U.S. Department of Education was
established in 1979, multiple agencies oversaw
parts of federal education programs, often leading
to inefficiency. Increased federal investment in
education led to the establishment of a Cabinet-
level agency to oversee the function.
Eliminating the department would gut the ability
of many students to access higher education, make
it tougher for schools to provide vital services and
devastate services for students with disabilities or
living in poverty.
These cuts would place a further strain on
schools across New York, as well as the state and
local communities.
More than $5.5 billion in federal aid is provided
to New York’s schools, many of which employ CSEA
members who provide vital support services that
allow children to learn in a clean, safe and efficient
environment,
The U.S. Department of Education plays a
critical role in allocating federal funding to schools,
including those serving high populations of low-
income, English language learner students and
students with disabilities.
Many schools, particularly ones that CSEA
represents in very rural and urban areas, rely
heavily on these funds to support their students
and staff. Without federal aid, these schools may be
forced to diminish or cut vital services for students.
These massive cuts and dismantling of this
important department serves one purpose and
that is to trim government down in order to pay
for the $4.5 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthiest
Americans and corporations. Multiple coalitions
of educators, school districts and unions, including
AFSCME, have filed legal actions against the Trump
administration to stop the dismantling of the
Education Department and services that working
families need. CSEA is closely monitoring the
situation.
3
The Work Force
Federal education cuts - a failing grade
MANHATTAN — In a historic show of dissent,
millions of Americans, including thousands of
public employees, participated in “Hands Off”
protests across all 50 states on April 5.
CSEA Metropolitan Region members and staff
joined in the “Hands Off” protest in Manhattan.
The demonstrations, which also drew thousands
of people in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse
and other communities in New York, represent the
largest single-day nationwide protest against the
policies of the Trump administration.
According to organizers, more than 1,400 actions
took place under the “Hands Off!” banner, drawing
about 3 million participants. The coordinated day
of protest was backed by a coalition of more than
150 organizations, including progressive advocacy
groups, labor unions, pro-democracy coalitions,
civil rights organizations, and groups representing
LGBTQ+ and women’s rights.
Public sector unions played a prominent role
in the mobilization, citing concerns about deep
funding cuts, federal workforce reductions and
ongoing threats to collective bargaining rights.
Many protesters pointed to recent restructuring
initiatives led by Elon Musk, which have resulted
in layoffs, downsizing of agencies, and what labor
leaders describe as the erosion of public service
infrastructure.
“Federal workers are being scapegoated while
vital services are being dismantled,” said CSEA
SUNY Downstate Local President Jonathan Brown.
“We are standing up to defend not only our
jobs, but the public institutions that millions of
Americans rely on every day.”
Protesters also condemned the administration’s
broad policy agenda, including global tariffs
seen as destabilizing, stepped-up immigration
enforcement efforts, reversals in LGBTQ+
protections, proposed changes to Social Security
and cuts to health care and research funding.
“Following the family tradition of activism, I
decided to stand with my CSEA union brothers
and sisters at the “Hands Off March,” said Deborah
Quiñones, a public health representative at Health
Research, Inc. (HRI). “I believe in the power of our
community for protect our hard-fought rights.”
Participants also voiced alarm at what they
perceive as growing authoritarian tendencies
within the executive branch and a shift toward
prioritizing corporate and billionaire interests over
the public good.
In Washington, D.C., federal workers marched
alongside community members, sending what
organizers called a “clear message” about the
value of government service and the importance of
democratic norms.
Hands Off! Hands Off! CSEA members join protest
“Hands Off” campaign organizers say the
demonstrations are only the beginning of sustained
efforts to increase pressure on policymakers and
mobilize ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
— David Galarza
From left, Lifespire Local President Nicole David,
Lifespire Local Treasurer Angela Vasquez, Health
Research, Inc. Local member Deborah Quinones,
and New York Metropolitan Retirees Local
activist Althea Green march down Fifth Avenue
during the Hands Off march.