Page 2 - Work Force September 2019

Photo of the Month
New bus camera law will boost safety
Recently, CSEA members marched with our labor brothers and sisters in solidarity at the Rochester Pride Parade. Parade organizers report more than 120 units participated in the walk while thousands of marchers and parade onlookers took to the streets to spread the message of solidarity, love, inclusion, non-violence, peace and community pride. See page 19 for additional coverage. Photo by Ove Overmyer.
Adamo is new Southern Region President
Anew state law allowing safety cameras on school buses will go a long way in protecting of school children, bus drivers and monitors, and the general public.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently signed the legislation (A.4950B/ S.4524B) allowing, at local option, for the use of school bus safety cameras to capture vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses and increase penalties for violators.
Specifically, this legislation creates a five-year demonstration program that allows counties or municipalities to install cameras on school buses, for as long as the local school district supports the installation.
CSEA, which represents thousands of school bus drivers and monitors across the state, strongly supported the legislation.
“We hear from our school bus drivers every day about drivers
who illegally pass their stopped buses, putting the children they drive at risk,” CSEA President Danny Donohue said. “Our bus drivers
and monitors are constantly on the watch to protect them, but we can never be too safe. We applaud the members of the State Senate and Assembly for passing this bill, which will give law enforcement a great tool to prosecute people who put our school children at risk.”
Every day, thousands of motorists inexplicably ignore flashing red lights and illegally pass school buses while they are loading and unloading children. One survey estimated
that nearly 55,000 drivers passed a stopped school bus on a single day in New York, including nearly 700 cases of drivers passing on the side where students were boarding and exiting. About 2.3 million children in New York State ride school buses regularly.
ALBANY — Anthony Adamo has stepped up as Southern Region President following the retirement of Billy Riccaldo, who served in the role for 11 years.
Adamo, who
was executive vice
president of the Southern Region, was sworn into office July 24 by CSEA President Danny Donohue.
Adamo steps up into this new role after 10 years as president of the SUNY New Paltz Local. In addition
to his local and region roles, he has
served for several years as chair of our Statewide Political Action Committee.
An electrician working on the SUNY New Paltz campus since age 19, Adamo became active with CSEA shortly after beginning his career with the state. He was a graduate
of the first Applied Skills Trades Program class for electricians offered through the NYS/CSEA Partnership, an experience he said has motivated him to promote the many career development and advancement opportunities available through
our union.
— Jessica Ladlee
Adamo
ALERT
CSEA President Danny Donohue to meet with
Central Region members
CSEA President Danny Donohue will visit our Central Region to meet with members on Tuesday, Sept. 3. The meetings will be held from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the CSEA Central Region Office, 6595 Kirkville Rd., East Syracuse. Please call the region office at (315) 433-0050 for an appointment and directions.
2 The Work Force
September 2019
Portion of state highway renamed in
OHowe’s memory n August 9,
Gov. Andrew
Cuomo signed a bill
renaming a portion
of State Route
17 in memory of
CSEA member and
New York State
Department of
Transportation Howe worker Dennis
“Matt” Howe, who died in March from injuries sustained when a tractor-trailer collided with his DOT truck along Route 17 in Tioga County.
“When Matt Howe died, our union family suffered a horrible loss. On behalf of the thousands of CSEA members working in transportation, we appreciate the recognition to honor his sacrifice,” CSEA President Danny Donohue said. “As we dedicate the highway in his memory, we will rededicate our union to working with state officials to make sure our brave men and women working along our highways and roadways are as safe as possible, given the dangerous work they do. Matt and his family deserve nothing less.”