CSEA’s 2015 candidate endorsements CSEA activists David Lee, left, and Birgit Nicolaisen, right, meet with state Senate candidate Fred Akshar during some recent campaigning. Akshar has received CSEA’s endorsement in his bid for the Senate. Akshar for state Senate CSEA is endorsing Republican Fred Akshar for state Senate in the general election on Nov. 3 to fill the current vacancy in the 52nd District, in one of the few statewide races this year. Akshar earned the union endorsement due to his excellent working relationship with the union serving as Broome County undersheriff and his support of the union’s issues. “As undersheriff, Fred Akshar has an excellent track record of working cooperatively to address labor issues in his department. Based on that relationship, we know Fred will be a strong advocate for workers and good-paying jobs in the Southern Tier,” CSEA President Danny Donohue said. “Fred Akshar will be a fresh new voice injecting some much-needed energy into New York politics as our next senator representing the Southern Tier,” said CSEA Central Region President Colleen Wheaton. “The hardworking members of CSEA strengthen our communities through their work in our state and local governments, school districts and municipalities,” Akshar said. “I’m honored to have earned the support of CSEA members from across the Southern Tier and I’m very excited to work with them to help improve the quality of life in our region.” — Mark M. Kotzin Former CSEA region director Sherrie for Lockport mayor LOCKPORT — After a lifetime of helping others, Lockport mayoral candidate Roger Sherrie couldn’t let his city continue to decline. That’s why Sherrie Sherrie, a former longtime CSEA Western Region director, wants to be the next mayor of Lockport. Sherrie, who recently won the Democratic primary for the city mayoral election by a resounding margin, said the primary results show that many city voters are frustrated with the current administration and the way it has managed the city. He will face the city’s incumbent mayor in the general election. CSEA is enthusiastically endorsing Sherrie’s candidacy. Sherrie is no stranger to public service or politics. He worked for Niagara County and later as a CSEA political action coordinator before becoming the union’s Western Region director. He retired from CSEA in December after a 28-year career with the union. This is also not Sherrie’s first run for political office; in 1981, he unsuccessfully ran for city alderman at large. Sherrie said the current city administration has been ignoring the needs of the less-affluent parts of the city. “We are a city where 20 percent of our population lives in poverty and one-half of all city residents live on less than $40,000 a year,” Sherrie said. “Lockport’s middle class is struggling, and no amount of political spin can change that fact.” “Roger embodies the definition of public service,” said Western Region President Flo Tripi. “After dedicating a lifetime to helping working people, he is once again stepping up to the plate to serve his community. Roger is a role model for everyone in the labor movement. He leads by example.” — Ove Overmyer Pulling together to support labor SCHENECTADY — Eighty-six votes four years ago made the difference between CSEA members getting a mayor willing to work with the union or not. Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy McCarthy’s tight race against Roger Hull is set for a rematch this November. McCarthy has been instrumental in many programs designed to get vacant homes back on the tax rolls, spur home ownership and pave the way for businesses wanting to take part in the city’s revitalization. McCarthy praised CSEA employees for being an integral part of those efforts, and CSEA is backing him once again. Through the creation of a joint political action committee, members of the Schenectady County Employees Local and the Schenectady School District Municipalities and Towns Local spent many evenings interviewing more than 30 candidates vying for CSEA’s endorsement in races at all levels of county government. It’s a scenario played out across the state in hundreds of CSEA locals. The joint committee includes two members from the town of Glenville, where CSEA members are boldly trying to change the dynamics of a town board that has made little attempt to hide its disdain for labor. The committee chose to endorse two labor-friendly candidates, Jared Hickey and Heather Gray. Throughout the state, CSEA is supporting many candidates with strong labor ties, regardless of party affiliation. — Therese Assalian CSEA’s other endorsements CSEA’s endorsement process is member-driven. Union members serving on political action committees interview candidates, review voting records, and determine whether a candidate has our members’ interests in mind, regardless of their political party. Go to cseany.org for a complete list of CSEA’s candidate endorsements. It is extremely important for CSEA members to GET OUT AND VOTE ON NOV. 3! 6 The Work Force October 2015
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