Page 5 - Work Force November 2023

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Minority Caucus focuses on organizing power
BUFFALO — When our union’s
“There is meaning and comfort in Minority Caucus met during the 2023
seeing someone who looks like you; Annual Delegates Meeting, attendees
who is there to represent you,” said were urged to step up and participate
Stephens.
in constituency groups within CSEA
As an organization, CSEA has been and the greater labor movement.
making strides in accommodating Many of our union members
the changing needs of our union’s met that challenge and
membership. CSEA Director
l
e
g
participated for the first
l
e
g
of Membership Charisse time in constituency
Seneres noted that while M
groups such as the
there is a bilingual Coalition of Black
staff member in
Trade Unionists
CSEA’s Member (CBTU), the
Resource Center Labor Council for
and our union’s
Latin American
online membership Advancement
application is (LCLAA), and Pride
available in Spanish,
at Work.
b
e
work is underway to This year’s caucus
o
better accommodate other ,
came with a different
members who are non-native challenge. Capital Region
English speakers.
o
,
Executive Vice President Shana
That progress extends to CSEA- Davis encouraged strong support for
represented workplaces. SUNY
union organizing efforts, both when
Albany Local Executive Vice
it comes to organizing new workers
President Dean Ellis Jr. conducts new as well as providing a welcome and
member orientations at the college’s orientation for new CSEA members
worksites. He has reached out to joining existing bargaining units.
colleagues originally from countries “Every person
that include the Philippines and should have the
Albania to assist with welcoming chance to see and
new members, with those member be seen,” said
volunteers speaking in their native Davis.
languages to ensure the new
CSEA Director
of Organizing
Aminata Stephens
noted that more
recent organizing
Davis
campaigns have
included larger numbers of workers
from minority communities and our
union must meet the sometimes
differing needs of these newer
members.
“The groups we are organizing
are already different than our own
existing membership,” said Stephens.
“They have less economically than
State Department of Transportation, our existing members.”
Region 8 (Poughkeepsie) Local Having the support of CSEA
Executive Vice President Darryl activists who have been active
Williams attends the Minority participants in the Minority Caucus
Caucus program. (Photo by Madison is a crucial component.
Ruffo.)
November 2023
The Work Force 5
From left to right, CSEA Director of Membership Charisse Seneres listens as SUNY Albany Local Executive Vice President Dean Ellis speaks at the Minority Caucus. (Photo by Madison Ruffo.)
members understand the information
securing a contract with the private presented and have any questions
sector, nonprofit group, noting that answered.
more people are seeing the union Committee members noted
difference and want to get on board. that these efforts must continue
When he first approached his
to grow as our union’s organizing
facility director requesting a raise, efforts make a difference in the
“she said, ‘I will never pay a child lives of people seeking economic
care worker 16 dollars an hour,’” gains through the union organizing
said Berry. “We beat the largest process.
union busting firm and we’re now the SCO Family of Services Local
highest paid child care workers in President Sirlentor Berry cited his
Nassau County.”
experience of organizing a union and
— Jessica Ladlee
From left to right, SCO Family of Services Local President Sirlentor Berry, CSEA Director of Organizing Aminata Stephens, CSEA Director of Membership Charisse Seneres and SUNY Albany Local Executive Vice President Dean Ellis help lead the Minority Caucus program. (Photo by Madison Ruffo.)