Page 6 - Work Force November 2021

Onondaga County workers demand fiscal fairness
SYRACUSE — CSEA Onondaga County Local members are making their voices heard and holding county leadership
accountable for
their proposed
spending.
When Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon presented his budget proposal
to the legislature, it included two projects — an aquarium and a soccer complex — totaling well over $100 million.
The county’s
reserve fund would be tapped to help pay for the aquarium, and a private company would be used to run the facility.
Just last year, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was proposed to use the reserve fund to hire more
workers for the county’s Department of Children and Family Services. That proposal was rejected.
It was also proposed to use
the reserve fund to protect county worker jobs and prevent layoffs. That proposal was also rejected.
Every department is facing understaffing issues due to retirements, as well
as recruitment and retention issues. Wages have been stagnant, and workers are being forced to do more with fewer resources.
Onondaga County President Dan Vadala speaks to local reporters about the county's spending proposals. Vadala and the Local 834 members say the county needs to better prioritize its spending.
“Our members
have served this community on the front lines throughout this pandemic and have done an amazing job. They’ve done so with fewer staff and fewer resources, but they shouldn’t have to any longer.”
“Our members have served
this community on the front lines throughout this pandemic and have done an amazing job,” Onondaga County President Dan Vadala said. “They’ve done so with fewer staff and fewer resources, but they shouldn’t have to any longer.”
While our union generally supports ideas to bring more revenue to our communities, the essential public services that CSEA members provide are being relied on more than ever.
With a historic amount of federal aid and a brighter financial outlook,
CSEA Onondaga County Local leaders note that the county needs to invest in its employees that provide these vital public services.
“Throughout the pandemic we asked that the county reserve fund be utilizes to help departments where staffing levels were dangerously low,” Vadala said. “We were consistently reminded of how important it was to keep the fund intact. This budget and the spending of federal dollars must prioritize county services.”
— Nicholas Newcomb
The CSEA/AFSCME PEOPLE program is launching a $50 pre-paid debit card contest. To enter, members simply provide their name, email address and phone number. On the last day of each month, from May to October, one CSEA member will be randomly selected to win. Look for more contest information at upcoming Region and Local events, or visit our website at cseany.org/peoplecontest
Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality
JOIN TODAY: cseany.org/people or (800) 342-4146, Ext. 1404
ATTENTION: PRIVATE SECTOR LOCAL PRESIDENTS
Important Election Information
The term of office for current Private Sector Local officers will expire on June 30, 2022. Elections for office must be conducted and completed before the new term begins on July 1, 2022.
A letter was sent by the Statewide Election Committee (SEC) on September 14 to each Private Sector Local President (or, where applicable, the CSEA administrators) requesting each Executive Board to select 1) a Chairperson and Election
Committee or 2) an Election Meeting Chair (for Locals with 150 members or less), prior to Oct. 15, 2021. An Election Data Form (EDF) was also enclosed to be completed and returned to CSEA Headquarters.
Please refer to the September letter for procedural requirements. You may contact the SEC at 1-800- 342-4146, ext. 1447 or sec@cseainc. org, if you, as a Private Sector Local President or Administrator, did not receive this important letter.
6 The Work Force
November 2021
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