Page 16 - Work Force October 2022

Resolutions Continued from page 15
7. CSEA stands against gun violence Submitted by President Mary E. Sullivan, Executive
Vice President Denise Berkley, Secretary Richard Bebo, Treasurer Nicole Meeks, Region 1 President Jerry Laricchiuta, Region 2 President Lester Crockett, Region 4 President Ron Briggs and Region 6 President Steve Healy.
This resolution seeks to support and encourage Congress to re-implement a nationwide assault weapon ban which was passed in a bipartisan vote in 1994.
CSEA has a basic concern for the safety of all Americans, in particular members who provide services to the public. This assault ban saved lives.
Studies have shown a significant increase in mass shooting deaths since this ban expired in 2004, most notably this past year, in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX, which have each been rocked by unnecessary and tragic violence.
The Resolutions Committee recommends this resolution be adopted as written.
8. Support continuation of new employee outreach
Submitted by the CSEA Standing Membership Committee: Delegate Guadalupe Johnson, Chairperson (Local 881), Mary Harmon (Local 910), Reuben Simmons, Jr. (Local 814), Jenn Murdza (Local 687), Karen Bright (Local 827) and Robyn Davies (Local 425).
Because many public employers had failed to
hire a sufficient number of new employees during
the pandemic and are now more actively recruiting workers, CSEA locals and units need to ensure that new employees are welcomed into our union from day one.
This resolution urges delegates to support continuing New Employee Outreach (NEO) programs in all locals and units to ensure that new hires are welcomed by our union. The resolution also urges support for continued efforts to sign up new members that goes beyond the orientation meeting, building relationships with new employees and creating union activists. This resolution also encourages units and locals to appoint membership chairs to lead these efforts.
The Resolutions Committee recommends this resolution be adopted as written.
This resolution seeks to have CSEA fight to maintain basic human rights to health care privacy. Specifically, while these rights are guaranteed in
the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Supreme Court has been making decisions based on personal beliefs
as opposed to the law. Due to activist justices, the court has overturned decades of precedent, including in the Janus decision and recently, Roe v. Wade. Because more than 57% of the workforce is female, the overturning of Roe v. Wade could directly affect
a family’s decision to stay in the workforce, and have devastating implications on other human rights. The resolution notes that CSEA would join with unions, others in New York and across the country to
fight to maintain human rights as granted in the Constitution.
The Resolutions Committee recommends this resolution be adopted as written.
4. Ensuring workers aren’t left behind as New York transitions to the “green” economy
Submitted by President Mary E. Sullivan, Executive Vice President Denise Berkley, Secretary Richard Bebo, Treasurer Nicole Meeks, Region 1 President Jerry Laricchiuta, Region 2 President Lester Crockett, Region 3 President Anthony Adamo, Region 4 President Ron Briggs, Region 5 President Kenny Greenleaf and Region 6 President Steve Healy.
This resolution urges members to vote to
approve the “Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, which will provide funding to reduce emissions and protect the environment in a way that will not negatively impact workers.
CSEA represents thousands of workers who will be impacted by changes in environmental or energy policy, including those who operate and maintain vehicles, work on energy systems in public buildings, work at parks and conservation sites and maintain critical infrastructure.
It is in the interest of every New Yorker to protect our environment and natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations and as the state moves toward a “green” economy, it is also important to not leave behind workers who will be most impacted.
The Resolutions Committee recommends this resolution be adopted as written.
5. Support increased investments in mental health programs
Submitted by President Mary E. Sullivan, Executive Vice President Denise Berkley, Secretary Richard Bebo, Treasurer Nicole Meeks, Region 1 President Jerry Laricchiuta, Region 2 President Lester Crockett, Region 3 President Anthony Adamo, Region 4 President Ron
Briggs, Region 5 President Kenny Greenleaf and Region 6 President Steve Healy.
This resolution urges CSEA to advocate for much needed funding for mental health, and for our union to continue to fight against any cuts to state-operated inpatient mental health services.
Nationally, over half of adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment, often due to unavailable
or inaccessible care. According to the state Office of Mental Health, one-third of all inpatient psychiatric beds for children and one-quarter of adult beds
have been eliminated since 2014. Yet, the number of patients in need of mental health services who are arriving at emergency rooms has increased by 25 percent since 2014. Many hospitals are unable to offer patients the mental health services they need.
CSEA represents employees at every state-operated mental health hospital. This resolution reaffirms the union’s commitment to fight against further cuts to state-operated inpatient mental health services in New York State and to advocate for expanding the number of available inpatient treatment beds and outpatient treatment options at state-operated facilities.
The Resolutions Committee recommends this resolution be adopted as written.
6. Pension tier equity
Submitted by President Mary E. Sullivan, Executive Vice President Denise Berkley, Secretary Richard Bebo, Treasurer Nicole Meeks, Region 1 President Jerry Laricchiuta, Region 2 President Lester Crockett, Region 3 President Anthony Adamo, Region 4 President Ron Briggs, Region 5 President Kenny Greenleaf and Region 6 President Steve Healy.
This resolution seeks to have CSEA continue the fight to make improvements for all NYS public retirement plans.
CSEA vigorously opposes all legislation that would diminish retirement benefits by forcing employees
to pay more and work longer to earn retirement benefits. Since 2010, the state has created two new pension tiers that require employees to work longer and contribute more only to receive a smaller benefit. These new tiers have made it harder for public employers to recruit and retain a sufficient number of workers, leading to understaffing, mandatory overtime and fewer available services.
CSEA successfully lobbied the legislature and Governor to change several provisions of the Tier
5 and Tier 6 pension plans to create more equity between pension tiers. This resolution reaffirms CSEA’s commitment to continue fighting for legislative improvements so all public employees can retire securely.
The Resolutions Committee recommends this resolution be adopted as written.
16 The Work Force
October 2022