Page 18 - Work Force October 2020

own CSEA family to the coronavirus. Like the rest
of our CSEA brothers and sisters, I honor their memory and mourn their passing.
While in the midst of navigating our way through the emotional and social impact of the coronavirus,
a social justice movement emerged with the murder of George Floyd.
“I know what it is like to have strangers put my family’s furniture on the street. My past is why I fight so hard for the members’ future.”
part of this great union and the entire labor movement. Our battles do not end
with COVID-19. Our very existence could reside on the result of the 2020 presidential election. President Trump has already shown his real colors when it comes his vision of organized labor. The Janus court decision had all of us
and well attended
regional executive board
meeting where we had
an opportunity to share
all the great work being
performed by of our activists
and locals. I was fortunate
to attend several holiday
gatherings and break bread with members
as we prepared to embark on another year. Although nothing could have adequately prepared us for the pandemic, the economic crisis it fueled and the demand for racial justice prompted by the murder of George Floyd, I am and will always be comforted by the professionalism, dedication, conviction and resiliency of CSEA members.
Indeed, while medical personnel and other front-line workers were praised for their heroic efforts, as they should, we will always be proud of the work and sacrifice
of the countless essential workers that we represent, including members at OPWDD, OMH, DMV and the State Veterans Home. Workers at those facilities faced the brunt of this health care crisis early on. Many went without vital PPE, others worked seven, eight, at times nine or more consecutive mandatory shifts without complaints and
Region 2 Officers were also honored to take part in a video in which we thanked members and encouraged them to be vigilant as the state slowly opened back up for business. We know that members, particularly those
employed at DMV, OPWDD and OMH, have raised many valid concerns and issues that still need to be adequately addressed before we place any member in harm’s way. We must never forget that an injury to one is an injury to all and we must fight like hell to make sure that no member returns to a work environment that may compromise their health and well-being. To that end, as we see the unfortunate number of COVID-19 cases rising across the country, we must ensure that our members do not face another shortage
of lifesaving PPE equipment. PPE from groups like Shields for Heroes are great and appreciated, however, we must never allow the federal and local governments to shirk their responsibility to keep the members and the general public safe in times of crisis.
Without a doubt, that is why CSEA
Metropolitan Region President, continued on page 22
Every union activist has been taught that all parties are equal when seated at the bargaining table. Well, the same holds true when we leave that table. The human race is the only race, and no group should ever be painted with a broad stroke, for any reason.
I believe that systematic racism must come to an end, and I also believe that there are more good police officers than bad police officers. The concepts are not mutually exclusive, they never have been.
As union members, we cannot allow superficial differences to affect our ability to work together.
We need each other to fight for the federal aid that New York State needs to climb out of the current fiscal crisis. Without the necessary funds that New York State
18 The Work Force
worried about the future landscape of public employment, thanks to the far-right Supreme Court judges he appointed and pushed through the Senate. Imagine four more years of that?
Let us collectively stand as one strong voice for all middle-class families struggling with the more stringent laws and decisions born from the Trump presidency. We will never forget to keep those Americans less fortunate than us at the top of our fight for justice, socially, financially and morally. That is what we do, and we do it pretty damn well!
God Bless. Respectfully submitted,
Jerry Laricchiuta
Long Island Region President
2020 Annual Delegates Meeting Officer Reports
JERRY LARICCHIUTA
Long Island Region President
There is power in numbers
LESTER CROCKETT Metropolitan Region President
We honor the contributions union members make
CTSEA Brothers and Sisters,
he first six months of 2020 have
been difficult, to say the least. The COVID-19 pandemic has raged through our communities and impacted all of our lives.
As hard as these times have been, I am proud to say that CSEA workers have been on the front lines of this pandemic.
This year’s ADM theme of “Rising to Meet the Challenges” is apropos because the members have performed above and beyond what is required of them.
I have marveled at their ability to adjust to the ever-changing landscape of professional policies and procedures, as they learned to adapt to our new normal.
Thank you for your steadfast commitment to seeing New York State through this pandemic.
Sadly, we have lost members of our
needs to recover, major layoffs are inevitable. There is power in numbers. With every
CSEA member who is let go, our union becomes that much weaker. We cannot allow that to happen.
I know firsthand how the loss of income can devastate a family. I do not want any of our members to experience that.
After my father passed away, my mother had six children to support. I watched her as she cried on the phone, trying to negotiate a deal so we wouldn’t lose our home. I know what it is like to have strangers put my family’s furniture on the street. My past is why I fight so hard for the members’ future.
It is my privilege to work with such esteemed union activists and I look forward to the time when we can meet, in-person, again.
So, going forward, I am excited to be
GOreetings Sisters and Brothers,
n behalf of my family and the
staff, officers and members of the Metropolitan Region, I pray that you and your loved ones are safe and sound during these difficult times. I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to all the members of our extended family who we have lost
to COVID-19 in recent weeks. I also
want to congratulate and acknowledge all the essential workers throughout the state who have reported to work and have gone above and beyond to provide the people
of our great state with the programs and services we consistently and professionally provide. Living and working in what was once the epicenter of this pandemic has been frightening and challenging, but CSEA members have shown us, time and time again, that we are strong because our union is strong.
We ended 2019 with a productive
with and all the care and professionalism
they have always lavished on their clients and individuals. Sadly, many members paid the ultimate price in the course of their duties. While we mourn their deaths, we must honor their lives by continuing to fight for the living, as we learned from Mother Jones.
Part of that fight means that we honor the contributions union members make every day. Our CSEA Appreciation Day and the response we received from union members was overwhelming. We visited locals throughout the five boroughs, provided them with CSEA appreciation signs, shared stories and captured images of proud members at work. Simultaneously, we were extremely fortunate to partner with the non-profit organization Shields for Heroes that provided thousands of face shields for CSEA members at no cost. We urge everyone to support groups like these who give so selflessly to essential and front-line workers.
“CSEA members have shown us, time and time again, that we are strong because our union is strong.”
October 2020