Page 12 - Work Force November 2016

support. Even those who weren’t aware of court cases like Friedrichs had an intuitive response to our message. That’s why we got thousands of Never Quit cards signed and setting the tone for the success of the campaign.
“We have to remember are special readings and
forecast that threatened our very survival as a labor movement with the Supreme Court gearing up to decide the Friedrichs case. Despite the odds and the obstacles that
we faced, CSEA joined our brothers and sisters throughout the nation in fighting back.
“It inspired me and countless activists throughout the region to continue to reach out and engage more members
in our region and union in our continued fight for workplace rights and future legal battles.”
regularly since they are the best vehicle to reach our members with news and information about our union and the many benefits they are entitled to. Kudos also to our Regional Women’s and Education Committees for coordinating a well- attended and informative regional workshop.
The Region success
stories don’t stop there. We raised more
than $8,000 from the 6th Annual Region One Golf Classic. Due to the generosity of the attendees we were able to help send 10 children of CSEA members to summer camp.
and nationalities of our membership. The purpose of holding the
aforementioned events is to gain a greater understanding of one another, thereby leading to respect and a larger sense of solidarity.
Of course I can’t leave out the array of work our Region committees are doing.
First our Veterans Committee, they exemplify what it means to put your heart and soul into altruistic pursuits. Every year they hold events to honor the sacrifices of their brothers and sisters in uniform.
For Memorial Day, the committee members held a special ceremony at Calverton National Cemetery. During the event, they place flags at the gravesites of CSEA members and their loved ones that have served.
Long Island Region President, continued on page 16
I believe the region-
by-region Never Quit
campaign and blitz of member homes and worksites will go down in CSEA history
as one of our greatest moments of unity, commitment and dedication. In all my years at CSEA, I have never seen such excitement and enthusiasm coming from rank-and-
file members we normally don’t get an opportunity to interact with. It inspired
me and countless activists throughout the region to continue to reach out and engage more members in our region and union in our continued fight for workplace rights and future legal battles.
As a region, we were invited and participated in several important events including the annual commemoration
of the Triangle Shirtwaist fire, the annual NYC Labor Day Parade, the African American Day Parade and the Veterans Day Parade.
Similarly, Metropolitan Region members served as delegates and participants at key constituency conferences including the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), and at AFSCME’s annual convention in Las Vegas.
In the next few weeks our members will be busy knocking on doors, making calls, handing out literature and doing anything
Metropolitan Region President, continued on page 16
We presented three graduating seniors with $1,000 checks on behalf of the Irving Flaumenbaum Memorial Scholarship, and also presented one $2,500 check on behalf of the CSEA/MetLife Insurance Company Scholarship.
The 41st Annual Long Island Region Workshop was a resounding success thanks to the active participation of those representing their locals. Through the array of topics discussed in the sessions, participants were able to learn the skills necessary to reach a higher level of union leadership.
We were happy to participate in the New York City Labor Day Parade as well. Members made the trip into Manhattan
12 The Work Force
That enthusiasm and thirst for justice at the workplace also spread to other campaigns in the city such as the strike by Verizon workers and the national campaign to demand a $15 an hour minimum wage.
We spent countless hours on picket lines
2016 Annual Delegates Meeting Officer Reports
NICK LaMORTE
Long Island Region President
Attack on our rights is a direct attack on our livelihood
LESTER CROCKETT Metropolitan Region President
Never Quit shows our unity, commitment and dedication
Greetings and Peace from CSEA Long Island Region One!
A lot has happened downstate since
last we met. Our locals and committees
have been working hard on behalf of our members. I’d love to detail every account, but since time is of the essence I’ve narrowed it down to just a few representations of Region One’s activities.
One of CSEA’s greatest endeavors this year was the Never Quit campaign. We in the Long Island Region had the honor of hosting CSEA’s first blitz ever in Nassau County. No one could have predicted how well received the effort would be. When the campaign first began, we had no idea what it was or how our members would react to getting visits at their homes. The fact that they were so open and accepting is a direct reflection of our membership’s unwavering
for the chance to put their CSEA pride
on full display for the masses. It was also a great opportunity for us to fellowship with members from Region 2, the host region of the parade.
Our membership also gets the chance
to socialize with each other at the various ceremonies we hold to celebrate our diversity. Nassau County Local 830’s Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony is always well received. During the annual luncheon we celebrate
the life and legacy of Dr. King. The Local also awards scholarship money and special citations to community members that best exemplify the spirit of Dr. King’s inclusive message.
During the Festival of Lights celebration, we come together to learn more about
each other’s holiday traditions and cultural observances. As part of the event, there
Greetings brothers and sisters,
It’s always an honor and a pleasure to join all the members of my extended CSEA family in the nation’s capitol. There’s a historic election just days away and it’s important for all of us to get a sense of the critical role we play as a labor movement
in electing the next leader of these United States.
Indeed, I want to thank members of
the Metropolitan Region for their vote of confidence in electing me and my executive board earlier this year. We had a memorable Installation Dinner and I applaud the
Social Committee for their coordination of the event. I look forward to working with everyone in strengthening and promoting our great region.
We started the year with a gloomy
throughout the city during the Verizon strike and we displayed true solidarity with our brothers and sisters of the Communication Workers of America.
I’m also extremely proud of the leadership our region played in the #Fightfor15 effort and I applaud our activists and staff for the time and effort they put into it. The rallies, marches and protests we participated in on behalf of some of the poorest workers in the country were successful and soon thousands of fast food and other low-wage workers across the state will begin earning a living wage.
Throughout the year I met and spoke with hundreds of members throughout the region at our Information Days and Membership Meetings. I continue to urge our Local Presidents to plan these events
to be steadfast in
our work towards reestablishing our relationships with our membership and our communities at-large.”
performances that bring our membership closer together during the holiday season.
Then there’s our International Day Festival.
In honor of this event we incorporate the various foods and ethnic entertainment that represent the different cultures
November 2016