Page 2 - Work Force September 2016

Photo of the Month
Monroe County contract fight heats up
Photo by Mark M. Kotzin
CSEA member Christopher Velazquez, a secure care therapy aide at the Central New York Psychiatric Center, shows off his union pride marching with CSEA in the Rome Honor America Days parade.
ROCHESTER — On Aug. 9, more than 200 CSEA and community allies demonstrated in front of the Monroe County Office Building to fight for a fair contract for county employees.
CSEA’s last collective bargaining agreement with Monroe County expired Dec. 31, 2013.
CSEA declared a contract impasse with the state Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) on May 2. Currently, only one out of eight full-time bargaining units with Monroe County has a valid negotiated contract. One other contract was imposed by a third party and is being challenged in court later this year.
Due to the apparent inability of county officials to negotiate in good faith, employee morale and county operations have been seriously undermined.
After the demonstration, Western Region President Flo Tripi and other CSEA members spoke out about their concerns with the contract at a public forum scheduled before the full session of the Monroe County Legislature.
“County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo says she has a new vision for Monroe County, but for her vision to succeed, county workers must be part of the plan,” Tripi said. “We are demanding action from county government. We are seeking a quick and speedy remedy to the old wasteful way of doing business.”
Monroe County Local members and their supporters demonstrate for a fair contract.
Monroe County employees say
the inability to resolve contracts has resulted in jeopardizing the health and safety of the local community. More than 40 high-performing road patrol officers have recently retired to ensure benefits under the existing contract. CSEA members also say this stalemate has created huge staffing issues and leaves workers without tools and resources to lead more successful lives on and off the job.
Following a mid-August mediation session, CSEA hopes the continuing involvement of a neutral third party will help yield progress.
— Ove Overmyer
Know anyone taking the state Civil Service Office Assistant 1 and/or Office Assistant 1-Keyboarding exams?
The CSEA WORK Institute will be offering workshops covering every topic on these exams in all CSEA regions.
Sept. 7-8: Sept. 10: Sept. 10: Sept. 17: Sept. 20-21: Sept. 21-22:
Town of Poughkeepsie Community Room Stony Brook University Medical Center OPWDD, Syracuse
CSEA Western Region Office, Amherst NYS Nurses Association, Latham
CSEA Metropolitan Region Office, Manhattan Seating is limited, so sign up now by visiting:
csealearningcenter.org/learncenter/wregistertest.cfm
If you can’t attend on these dates, our online workshop is available 24 hours a day from any computer and covers all topics on these exams.
Check out a free demo at csealearningcenter.org.
For more information, contact the CSEA WORK Institute at 866-478-5548.
2 The Work Force
September 2016
CSEA mourns loss of retiree activist Cosentino
State contract negotiations: stay in the loop!
One of the ways you can communicate with CSEA about the ongoing 2016 state negotiations is to fill out a contract survey online.
You will need to know your CSEA ID to complete the survey. You can access it instantly at cseany.org on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Don’t forget to join the contract communication network to help spread the word about what is happening in negotiations.
cseany.org/state-contract-update
OGDENSBURG — CSEA is mourning the loss of longtime Central Region activist and St. Lawrence County Retirees Local president Joe Cosentino, 89, who passed away on Aug. 10.
A World War II Navy veteran, he was very active in veterans affairs and was recently installed in the New
York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. Before his retirement in 1983, Cosentino was a CSEA activist while employed at St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center, including serving as local president. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.
— Mark M. Kotzin