Page 13 - Work Force October 2024

2024 Annual Delegates Meeting Officer Reports
Anthony M. Adamo
Southern Region President
It is indeed better to be union
Shana Davis
Capital Region President
Raising our Momentum
CWSEA Family,
hen we move forward together, there is nothing we cannot do.
That is something that is particularly meaningful for us to remember as CSEA members, especially this year.
We have been through union elections this past year and will do so again on the local level in 2025. We are in an exciting presidential election year. We are also monitoring pivotal Congressional races, the outcome of which will determine in which direction our country goes. We are dealing more than ever with the challenges that come with divisive rhetoric and the fallout that results.
One only needs to log on to any social
the workers in nonunion workplaces as they organize unions gives a much-needed dose of energy for us as union activists. It reminds us why we do what we do.
For me, seeing the energy and enthusiasm from the workers at Storm King Art Center as they organized with our union was affirmation that there is value in our Labor Movement and that it is indeed better to
be union. The process of organizing and negotiating both SKAC bargaining units’ first contracts – with an overwhelmingly positive ratification, I might add – shows what a difference we can make in the quality of workers’ professional lives by helping them organize and setting them up for success.
In the midst of a busy and often chaotic
CSEA Capital Region continues to Raise Our Momentum, as we Move Forward Together growing our union by finding creative ways to inform, engage and educate.
I want to acknowledge that I am humbled and grateful to be the first Black woman to serve as Capital Region President. I also want people to understand why this moment is
so meaningful to me. In 1963, my mother, pregnant with me, marched in the March
on Washington. I grew up hearing of that time and about her prayers for her children, that we would impact the world in great
and positive ways. My mom instilled in our family the importance of advocating not only for yourself, but for others. Each election night, we would sit, watch and discuss the results. Leading, representing, and serving Capital Region members is an honor. I pledge to work to the best of my ability to ensure that focus is ALWAYS on CSEA members.
President), 2nd Vice President Stu Whipple, 3rd Vice President Susan Watson-Amos, Secretary Alicia Bodmer, and our amazing Treasurer Stacey Deyo. The way you have all stepped up to the plate leading committees, supporting members and assisting in region activities is truly appreciated.
Many thanks to Region Committee Chairs, who have hit the ground running, coming up with ideas to educate, motivate, and engage one another as leaders and members.
Also, to the Capital Region staff, HANDS DOWN the best, hardworking group of people who put up with my antics and wild suggestions. From our Region Director Denise Warren, Office Manager Iwona Bradt, Political Action Coordinator Bryan Gorman, Communications Specialist Therese Assalian, Occupational Safety & Health Specialist Brian Pomeroy, every
media app to see that our fellow union members, colleagues, family and friends share vastly different views about the many issues facing our country. At times, it can
be uncomfortable to digest that some of those closest to us hold such different outlooks and opinions when we may have thought we were on the same page. I mention that because I have certainly encountered it myself.
“Unity will allow
us to focus on strong contracts, developing new activists, maintaining safe workplaces, and
getting new members
to choose to join our union because we have demonstrated to them in our new member orientations why it truly is better to be union.”
time, we saw CSEA activists from across the Southern Region come together in support of SKAC workers. They took their own time to visit
the art center, meet the workers, and demonstrate what solidarity is all about. We may have differences within our own union
at times, but we came together as a union family and embraced these
new siblings. That same solidarity happened not long after, as workers at the Goshen Public Library
Labor Relations Specialist Angelique, Eric, Alex, Deb, Vinnie, Diane,
Jim, Dean, Gina, Emy, Terry, and office staff Alyssa, Shannon, Iris and Danielle. In the words of poet Gwendolyn Brooks, “We don’t ask a flower any special reason for its existence, we just look at
it and are able to accept it as being something different from ourselves.” Thank you for embracing my different.
The CSEA Capital Region has been actively working to support locals and units in contract campaigns and has been successful in engaging members in the process while supporting local and unit officers in areas
like disseminating information, sharing best practices and informing members about tentative agreements.
At our spring conference in April, in-depth discussions about workplace safety were held. An ad-hoc committee, in concert with the region Safety & Health Committee created an “Are You Safe @ Work” survey sent to region members in July. The data
Capital Region President, continued on page 16
The Work Force 13
But here is the thing.
Our differences may be
distracting, but the reality is that we have so much more in common. In CSEA, our jobs may be different, we may live in different parts of the state, and we certainly hold a variety of political views. Here is the good part: those of us who are union activists
are united in our desire for strong unions (especially our own!), safe and healthy workplaces, and the ability to have a voice on the job.
chose to form a union in their workplace. We saw that solidarity again in June
as our union family from the Westchester County Unit mourned the loss of CSEA member Maria Coto, a senior caseworker who was killed while doing her job in the Peekskill community. The outpouring of support from CSEA members across the state, with many holding their own solidarity days (wearing Maria’s signature color, pink), gave some needed encouragement to Maria’s Westchester co-workers during such an immensely sad time. Our prayers continue to be with Maria’s loved ones.
Southern Region President, continued on page 16
We have been working
to tip the conversation on
how to keep ALL members
in mind. Understanding
that though we
are one union, our
representation is diverse,
and every bargaining
unit has different needs.
INCLUSIVENESS is
important and it is imperative we find ways for CSEA members to not only understand the importance of their voice/role in the union, but to get and stay involved outside of having an issue.
I have found that chatting over a mango smoothie or coffee fosters conversation deeper than weather and opens doors to relationships to give and receive feedback on areas of interest or improvement.
We continue to seek opportunities to meet with members. We welcome the tough conversations and the chance to hear what members are saying.
CSEA Capital Region has an amazing executive board that I am blessed to
work with. I want to sincerely show my appreciation for Executive Vice President Cindy Stiles, Chris Connell (former 1st Vice
It is easy to take for granted all that
we enjoy because we choose to be union.
To allow for some reflection, I encourage everyone to consider becoming more involved in the organizing process (as volunteer member organizers) because standing with
October 2024
“Raising our Momentum and growing this union
is not about numbers, words, or slogans, it is a constant reminder to keep educating ourselves as leaders and members.”