Page 9 - Work Force November 2020

Healey’s role in organizing campaign fuels her activism
SCHENECTADY — For Schenectady City School District Clerical Unit President Beverly Judge Healey, the experience of helping workers to join a union provided a new perspective on unionism that fuels her activism today.
Healey played a key role in a seven-month organizing drive for
65 food-service workers across 17 schools in Schenectady County. The private-sector group, employed by Sodexo, ratified their first contract earlier this year.
For her efforts, Healey is the recipient of the 2020 CSEA Nadra Floyd Award for Organizing.
Healey recalled the early days of the campaign.
“I knew they were interested in organizing, so I would reach out and talk to people and they got to know me,” she said. “Over time, things got more comfortable and I was able to build trust until they were ready to move forward.”
In those ongoing conversations,
Healey helped workers understand the value of a union. Working alongside CSEA staff organizers throughout the campaign, Healey gained valuable experience and perspective.
“You have to have a thick skin and a passion for helping people and to do that every day!” Healey said.
“I was very impressed with CSEA Organizing staff.”
In the week leading to the election, Healey enlisted the support of
school staff in multiple locations, from different unions and bargaining units. They all came together in a show of solidarity and support for the food-service workers by wearing stickers “CSEA stands with Sodexo Workers!”
Reflecting further on the role of an organizer, Healey feels she has an advantage that organizers don’t usually get.
“They have to leave and move on to other campaigns,” she said. “I get to stay and I get to see these
people who have become friends. It is truly powerful to see the results of organizing and how it can uplift
a group, giving them power and a voice on the job.”
CSEA Statewide Organizer Shane Quandt credits Healey’s work throughout the campaign, but also her ongoing efforts.
“Beverly really represents unionism and CSEA values to the fullest,” Quandt said. “She is selfless in her role as a union leader and as mentor to this group of workers.”
Healey has been serving in an officer role for 12 years; she first served as vice president of the
unit that also includes nurses and COTAs, and, for the last six years, as president.
She also serves as vice president of CSEA’s Schenectady School Districts, Municipalities and Towns Local, Co-Chair of the CSEA Capital Region Local Government/School District Committee and as a Capital Region representative to CSEA’s
Healey
Statewide Schools Committee.
“I always take time during union
meetings to share items from labor history because I think it’s important for people to understand why we have unions, why they are necessary and that the value of civil rights and workers’ rights go hand in hand,” Healey said.
“I am very humbled by this award,” Healey said. “There are so many labor activists I admire and to be placed among them is a true honor.”
— Therese Assalian
Wells: ‘Children, families, people in general are my calling’
ALBANY — CSEA/VOICE Local 100A President Pam Wells is the recipient of
the 2020 CSEA Danny Donohue Leadership Award for the Private Sector.
along the way are testament to her commitment to exceptionalism in child care, the value of family and advancing positive change.
“Children, families, people in general are my calling,” Wells said. “There is nothing more important to me than the relationships I build with people, no matter how young or old. There is nothing of greater value.”
Wells’ leadership in the family/ child care field is well known. Her advocacy efforts on issues that include adequate funding, resources and access to quality child care for all families find her lobbying in the New York State Capitol and even the halls of Congress in Washington D.C.
Wells was recognized as the 2019 Champion for Children Early Childhood Leader award from the New York Association for
the Education of Young Children (NYAEYC).
“Life is better when we help others; it brings warmth and happiness to experience the joy children express at their success,” Wells said. “Some families need help. If my skills can help
create change for them to be stronger, this motivates me to continue. I want to share what was so freely given to me: respect, acceptance and security.”
I grew up in a
perfectly imperfect
family,” Wells said.
“I was born [as] one
of six children and
learned young that
life was not about me, but about us. You need to be willing to be part of a team, be accountable, and know when to be heard. This has helped
me as a child care and union activist and with respect to our advocacy efforts.”
Wells serves on CSEA’s Standing Safety & Health & School Meeting
Joint Committee, Board of Directors (Private Sector) and as Trustee to the CSEA Child Care Providers Trust Fund.
“This is an honor and privilege to receive this award,” Wells said. “It validates CSEA’s mission and the virtues that we work by to ensure the
continued growth and strength of our union.”
— Therese Assalian
Wells
As a family child care provider, Wells knows the issues providers face and represents the collective voice of a network of CSEA- represented providers across the state.
The relationships Wells has built
The award,
which was set to be presented
in October at CSEA’s 110 Annual Delegates Meeting, recognizes exceptional leadership among CSEA activists.
“If my skills
can help create change for them
to be stronger, this motivates me to continue. I want to share what was so freely given to me: respect, acceptance and security.
November 2020
The Work Force 9