CSEA Executive Statewide Officers President Danny Donohue in touch with Work Force ISSN 1522-1091 Official publication of CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO 143 Washington Ave. Albany, NY 12210-2303 Danny Donohue, President STEPHEN A. MADARASZ The Communications Director & Publisher LOU HMIELESKI Executive Editor JANICE GAVIN Associate Editor JANICE M. KUCSKAR Graphic Production Specialist JASON D. HOSIER Graphic Production Specialist BETH MCINTYRE Communications Assistant Vice President Mary E. Sullivan Secretary Denise Berkley Treasurer Joe McMullen CSEA Region Officers Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte 3 Garet Place Commack, N.Y. 11725 Metropolitan Region President Lester Crockett 125 Maiden Lane, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10038 Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo 569 State Route 52 Beacon, N.Y. 12508 Capital Region President Kathy Garrison 1 Lear Jet Lane, Suite #2 Latham, N.Y. 12110 Central Region President Colleen Wheaton 6595 Kirkville Road East Syracuse, N.Y. 13057 Western Region President Flo Tripi 120 Pineview Drive Amherst, N.Y. 14228 Communications Specialists Long Island Region: Wendi Bowie (631) 462-0030 Metropolitan Region: David Galarza (212) 406-2156 Southern Region: Jessica Ladlee (845) 831-1000 Capital Region: Therese Assalian (518) 785-4400 Central Region: Mark M. Kotzin (315) 433-0050 Western Region: Ove Overmyer (716) 691-6555 Headquarters: Jill Asencio (518) 257-1276 The Publications Committee Jerry Laricchiuta Robert Pyjas Theresa Reagan Lee Reynolds 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 CSEA online: cseany.org or follow us on facebook and twitter: facebook.com/csealocal1000 twitter.com/csealocal1000 The Work Force Raising the wages of undervalued workers means a better New York for all A Labor Day message from CSEA President Danny Donohue “A rising tide lifts all boats.” This has long been a cornerstone reason for labor’s commitment to improving working conditions for union members and all working people. There is ample evidence that the rising tide is good for individuals, families, communities, business and our economy as a whole. When people share in prosperity, it’s good for everyone in many ways. Recently, fast food workers, with significant help from labor and other community allies, mounted an impressive campaign for fairness and respect. They did a great job making their case and convinced Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s wage board that a raise is in order. They deserve it, but so do many other undervalued workers, including many employed in public service. Governor Cuomo has stated repeatedly that income inequality, which plagues New York more than any other state, is a serious problem that must be addressed. I give the governor the benefit of the doubt that the actions of his wage board were not simply an isolated political stunt. The governor doesn’t need a wage board to make a bigger dent in this economic injustice. Leading by example would be a good starting place: • Raise the wages of state workers making federal minimum wage because they aren’t included under state minimum wage law. • Address the state’s scandalous disregard of low-wage human services employees of not-for-profit agencies under state contract who received a cost-of-living increase this year after enduring years without one. These actions don’t even begin to address the needs of child care providers or the thousands of undervalued state, local government and school employees — many work for much less than $15 per hour — who take care of our kids, maintain our roads, water and sewer systems and do a whole lot more necessary work. You can be sure that CSEA will be pursuing fair pay in every way possible because it is not only good for our members, it will help build a better New York for all. 4 The Work Force September 2015
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