Page 4 - Work Force October 2025

WorkForce
ISSN 1522-1091
Official publication of
CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
143 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210-2303
Mary E. Sullivan, President
BRYAN MILLER
Director of Communications and Publisher
MATHEW L. CANTORE
Deputy Director of Communications
JILL ASENCIO
Deputy Director of Communications
JANICE GAVIN
Editor
SPENCER CONLIN
Associate Editor
JASON D. HOSIER
Graphic Production Specialist
SAGE POHLMANN
Graphic Production Specialist
BOBBY COMPANI
Digital Content Coordinator
JOELLE LUCENTE
Communications Assistant
Communications Specialists:
Long Island Region:
WENDI BOWIE
(631) 462-0030
Capital Region:
THERESE ASSALIAN
(518) 782-4400
Metropolitan Region:
DAVID GALARZA
(212) 406-2156
Central Region:
NICHOLAS NEWCOMB
(315) 728-3375
Southern Region:
JESSICA LADLEE
(845) 831-1000
Western Region:
SARA MCNICHOLAS
(716) 691-6555
The Publications Committee:
Chris Vogel, Chair
Tim Finnigan
Karen Bright
Marnie Rounds
John Wagner
The Work Force (USPS 0445-010)
is published monthly by
The CSEA Publication Office:
143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.
Periodical Mail Postage paid at
Post Office, Albany, New York 12288,
and additional mailing offices.
Postmaster: Send address changes to:
CSEA, Attn: Membership Department,
143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210
Readers: Send any comments, complaints, suggestions or ideas to:
Publisher, The Work Force
143 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210-2303
Headquarters:
VACANT
(518) 257-1276
cseany.org
4 The Work Force President Mary E. Sullivan in touch with
The The
WorkForce
Stepping Up in
Local Elections
CSEA Family,
I, for one, know how easy it is to get
caught up in the drama of national
politics. However, for CSEA members, the
elections that matter most this fall won’t be
for President, Governor, or Congress.
This November, it’s our local elections
that will shape the communities where we
live and work.
With all that is happening in
Washington, D.C., CSEA will need as
many allies as possible in elected office
to deal with the fallout expected from
billions in federal cuts. County executives,
legislators, town and village boards, city
councils, sheriffs, clerks and other local
leaders all make decisions that directly
impact our daily lives. They determine
budgets that fund our workplaces, approve
contracts that affect our wages and
benefits, and set policies that shape the
services CSEA members provide to the
public.
That’s why CSEA is deeply involved in
the local election process. Through our
member-driven endorsement system, we
carefully vet candidates from all parties.
Our Political Action Committees (PACs)
interview them, ask tough questions and
make sure they understand the issues that
matter most to working people. A CSEA
endorsement isn’t handed out lightly—it’s
our seal of approval that a candidate will
stand up for our union members, our
families and our communities.
But endorsements are only the
beginning. To elect endorsed candidates,
we rely on members stepping up to make a
difference. Across the state, CSEA activists
are phone banking, knocking on doors,
distributing campaign materials and using
social media to spread the word. Every
conversation we have with voters helps
build momentum for the candidates who
will fight for us once in office.
When our endorsed candidates win,
our work doesn’t stop. We need to hold
them accountable. We maintain strong
relationships, remind them of their
commitments, and make sure they deliver
on their promises. That’s how CSEA builds
real political power!
This November, your vote truly matters.
Local elections are often decided by just
a handful of ballots. Don’t sit this one
out. Learn which candidates CSEA has
endorsed in your community by visiting
cseany.org/vote.
Make your voice heard at the ballot
box so we can elect leaders who respect
our work, support our communities, and
protect our future.
In solidarity,
Mary E. Sullivan, President
October 2025