Page 12 - Work Force November 2019

Director Heidi Horn. Heidi was a wonderful person and a fierce union advocate who will be missed by all who knew her.
“Our collective hard work and solidarity is why CSEA still stands strong, more than a year after the worst attack on unions most of us have seen in our lifetimes.”
Over 1,000 members had the opportunity to learn important skills that they can use on and off the job.
Town of Hempstead Local 880 awarded $30,000 in scholarship money as part of their Bill Flanagan Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is one of the most successful programs in our region.
In March, I joined
Liam Russertt and Local 010 President Vincent Martusciello on a visit to the New York State Veterans home in Queens. We distributed undergarments and socks and also made a $400 donation on behalf of
the Statewide Veterans Committee. We also discussed the possibility of creating a unit to address their issues within Local 010.
Statewide President Danny Donohue assigned me to attend and participate in the NYC Labor Count for the upcoming 2020 Census. This committee consists of representatives from every union within the New York City Central Labor Council. The committee will be meeting monthly to discuss strategies that will ensure that everyone is counted.
I want to express my appreciation to
all our sisters who attended our Women’s History Month event at the Region office.
I have so much admiration and respect for all our past and present women leaders and am excited about those moving up the ranks. It was a beautiful and uplifting event that
Metropolitan Region President, continued on page 16
It was difficult to decide
how to honor Heidi, but
after much discussion,
our region’s Heidi Horn
Memorial Committee
decided to plant a tree in
Heidi’s honor at the Long
Island Region office. It seemed like a fitting tribute for someone we all grew to love.
The Long Island Region Human Rights Committee held their annual
Festival of Lights and International Day events, which were well attended. Both events are our region’s way of celebrating the religious and cultural differences of CSEA’s membership.
I also worked with a few activists in Suffolk Local 852, along with CSEA’s WORK Institute, to bring a much-needed Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class A or B tractor training class to our region. The grant money we received for the training has helped dozens of members have access to a class that they may not have otherwise been able to take, due to the cost.
We also honored our fallen workers at Workers’ Memorial Day events around the Long Island Region.
Long Island Region President, continued on page 16
Following this historic
event, I attended several
CSEA Metropolitan Region
2 holiday celebrations.
One in particular, Local
010’s, always stands out. It
was held at the Armenian
Church in Manhattan and we were joined by our Statewide President Danny Donohue and Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte. Over 500 members joined in the festivities.
In February, I joined Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley and Region 2 staff, including Liam Russertt and Neil Kelly, on a visit to Ella McQueen, an OCFS facility slated for closure at the end of year. We spoke to our members and reminded them of our goal to have every member of that facility reassigned before the closing date.
Also in February, Local 460 at the Department of Taxation and Finance held
a magnificent Employee Award Ceremony for workers with 10 years or more of service. Local President Jamel Harewood worked diligently to coordinate this phenomenal event.
I also attended the annual Black and Puerto Rican Caucus and participated in
As for the everyday happenings in the Long Island Region, we continue to be as busy as ever. Our locals and units are going above and beyond to cater to the needs of our members. I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight a few of our best efforts.
One of our crowning achievements is the organizing of 124 members of SCO Family of Services in Sea Cliff. Management at the facility are incredibly anti-union; it was a tough fight, but in the end CSEA prevailed.
I am happy to report that Nassau Local 830 was victorious in its fight to get several seasonal employees at the Eisenhower Park Golf Course full-time employee status. Of course, the workers are now part of our CSEA family, as well.
Nassau County Municipal Employees
12 The Work Force
November 2019
2019 Annual Delegates Meeting Officer Reports
NICK LaMORTE
Long Island Region President
CSEA is stronger than ever
LESTER CROCKETT Metropolitan Region President
We are standing strong
GWreetings and peace to all,
hen last we met, the sting of the Supreme Court’s decision in the Janus case was still fresh. I’m glad to say that more than a year later, CSEA is stronger than
ever! Not only did corporate interests group attempts to debilitate us not work; CSEA has gained members.
Even with the union busters’ continuous attempts to lure CSEA members away from our union via social media and newspaper ads, our members are smart enough to recognize the manipulation. Our members in CSEA’s Social Media Influencers group have also done an excellent job of diffusing anti-union sentiment in the social media comments section, as well.
I also want to address the shocking passing of former Long Island Region
Local 882’s Long Beach Unit are responsible for preventing a public health crisis in
the City of Long Beach; unit members discovered traces of E. coli in the water supply. After alerting the proper authorities, unit members worked diligently to rid the water of the bacteria until the water was free for consumption. The ordeal only lasted a couple of days, largely due to the wisdom and work ethic of our members.
Activists in the Long Island Region also used their power of persuasion to lobby local politicians to vote against proposed budget cuts in the New York State budget proposal. I’m always proud to see our region leaders fight on behalf of our members.
Nassau Educational Local 865 and Suffolk Educational Local 870 both held very successful membership conferences.
GOreetings Sisters and Brothers,
n behalf of the members, activists and officers of the Metropolitan Region it brings me great pleasure to join our brothers and sisters during our Annual Delegates Meeting. I wish you all an enjoyable and fulfilling conference.
Earlier this year, I was assigned to attend the 2019 AFL-CIO Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights event
in Washington, DC. I joined thousands
at rallies and demonstrations throughout the weekend. During the awards gala, AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka spoke of the importance of unions working together. Among the awardees were Keith Richardson, President of the American Postal Workers Union; Robin Williams, International Vice President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union;
and Sara Nelson, International President of the Association of Flight
Attendants – CWA.
many workshops and discussions related to the state budget, civil service and many of the issues affecting workers and families across the state.
At the Retiree Conference in Florida, I felt blessed to see and engage with members who I once worked with at the State Insurance Fund when I served as the Local President. Additionally, it was a pleasure seeing our former Region President George Boncoraglio and spending some quality time with CSEA staff, including Amrit Singh, Adam Acquario, Matt D’Amico, Christine Meehan and Region 4 President Ron Briggs.
Upon returning to New York, I drove to Albany to attend the AFSCME Legislative reception at the Empire State Plaza. It’s always impressive to see Fran Turner
operate among these state legislators. We are fortunate to have her on our side and fighting for our issues and members.
“Today and every day, let’s continue to pursue with the same tenacity and conviction, those union ideals that Frank embodied.”