Page 12 - Work Force October 2023

2023 Annual Delegates Meeting Officer Reports
Jerry Laricchiuta
Long Island Region President
We must band together
Lester Crockett
Metropolitan Region President
We continue to fight back
Icannot believe my first term as CSEA Long Island Region President will be over in a matter of months. It is amazing how quickly time flies when your nose is to the grindstone. It has been a very busy time and at the same time, incredibly rewarding.
As time consuming as my work is, I often ask myself if it is enough. I ask that you pose the same question to yourselves. It has been said many times before, but it is important to reiterate how critical it is for CSEA members to be more involved in their union. Activism is at the core of unionism and without an engaged membership. We could fall victim
to the aggressive attacks of our union-busting enemies. We must seize every available opportunity to encourage our colleagues
who are not CSEA members to sign membership cards. Remind them to attend membership meetings and
information days to learn
more about what union
membership affords them. It
is equally critical for active
members to attend board
meetings to support CSEA
representatives who are
addressing administrators.
Operations Unit members for a contract rally and school board meeting. Unit members repeatedly expressed their gratitude for everyone who attended. They commented that they had never before received that kind of backing on the region level.
I mentioned the above units to impress the importance of solidarity. Never think twice about reaching out to your union family for help or guidance. We have some incredible activists who would love nothing more than to get in the trenches and fight the good fight with you and I am one of them.
It is often helpful to bring in outside sources who are not fearful of management reprisal because the outsiders will not be impacted by management.
Speaking of incredible activists, I would like to recognize the CSEA Long Region
GIreetings, beloved union family!
t is extremely exciting to join you all in Buffalo! After hosting delegates in New York City last year, it is indeed wonderful to join my upstate and Western New York CSEA family.
Unionists (CBTU) convention in New Orleans, CSEA was well represented and we were honored to join activists from our region in a myriad of events, workshops and panels in furtherance of our union movement.
But as hard as we fight, we know there are forces out there that want to see us weak or simply disappear. That is why we continue to fight back against scams that aim to weaken our movement and cheat workers out of their hard-fought union protections and benefits. We urge all members to alert union officers or our office if and whenever they receive scam emails or snail mail.
But while we have some enemies who seek to harm us, we have more friends who seek to help us like our State Comptroller
I had the opportunity
to represent CSEA’s Town
of Southold Unit at a few of the town’s board meetings. Unit members and other CSEA members from around Long Island, some of whom traveled for more than an hour to support their union family, packed the meeting. Their presence put me in a much better position to address the board because I had so many people there standing in solidarity with me. It did not take many more meetings before a new contract was achieved. I do not believe the unit has ever seen progress like that before.
The CSEA Massapequa Operations Unit also entrusted me with the responsibility
of speaking for members at a school board meeting. I was made aware of how difficult administrators were being and I wanted
to lend my voice to the efforts of our
union members. Once again, there was
an outpouring of support from our union members, who joined CSEA Massapequa
12 The Work Force
October 2023
“We must band together to combat
the vicious attacks from anti-union organizations that seek to rob us of our seat at the bargaining table.”
Executive Board. Their
level of dedication to union activism inspires me to continue to be the type of leader they are willing to follow. Whenever I need support or counsel, they are there to push me in the right direction. At the same time, they will not hesitate to tell me when I need to change
my focus. Surrounding yourself with truth- tellers is invaluable for a leader like me, who has domain over dozens of municipalities with diverse job titles and membership body. I cannot be everywhere, so I need trustworthy people to assist me when needed.
CSEA Long Island Region committee members also play a huge role in the region’s success. These committed activists have coordinated some truly memorable region activities. Whether the event be political, philanthropic or recreational, Long Island Region committee activists always lend a helping hand to their fellow members and our community.
It is no wonder that this year’s Annual Delegates Meeting theme, “My Union, My Voice, My CSEA,” resonates so heavily with me. I have dedicated more than 20 years
Long Island Region President, continued on page 16
“But as hard as we fight, we know there are forces out there that want to
see us weak or simply disappear. That is why we continue to fight back against scams that aim
to weaken our movement and cheat workers out of their hard-fought union protections and benefits.”
We kicked off 2023 with several celebrations of Black history and culture. Special thanks to our union activists on the Education and Women’s Committees and members at Brooklyn DDSO for organizing these spirited events. In February, we also had the privilege of attending the annual New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Conference, where I was joined by several local presidents and officers. We had an opportunity to meet and discuss issues that are important to our union. Our members also
had unique opportunities
to interact directly with
the lawmakers who are
responsible for passing
laws, measures and
budgets for our state
agencies. In March, we
had a colorful celebration
of Women’s History
Month. Thanks to the
Region 2 Education and
Women’s Committees
for coordinating these
successful events.
Earlier this year,
Lifespire reached an agreement but also turned out in force for a rally in Staten
Island to demand adequate funding for their programs and services. Similarly, it was just as important for members at SUNY Downstate to join the call and rally for funding for the state’s critical teaching hospitals.
Throughout the year, we coordinated many membership and information days, where members received important updates and also learned about the many benefits that have been negotiated by CSEA. It was also inspirational to see several locals engage members with events during our annual Member Appreciation Day and to also join our Region 3 family at a ballgame.
At the annual Coalition of Black Trade
Tom DiNapoli, who
we consistently support as we did as a union family at a festive event where our presence was noted enthusiastically by Comptroller DiNapoli.
I am incredibly proud to report that the CSEA Metropolitan Region’s Education & Women’s Committees coordinated a successful and informative Annual Conference featuring workshops, plenary discussions and
interaction with representatives of the many different member benefits.
Members also heard inspirational remarks by Statewide officers including CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan, Executive Vice President Denise Berkley, Statewide Secretary Richard Bebo, and Statewide Treasurer Nicole Meeks. CSEA Labor Relations Specialist Adriane Hudson also joined Women’s Committee Chair Felicia McCollough and Education Committee Chair Pat Dixon-Lawrence in a special commemoration for members who recently transitioned. I want to thank everyone who played a role in making this conference
Metropolitan Region President, continued on page 16