Page 2 - Work Force September 2020

Photo of the Month
CSEA proud to endorse Joe Biden for President
ALBANY — CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan has announced that CSEA is proudly throwing our union’s support and political muscle behind electing Joe Biden for President.
Sullivan, in a Labor Day statement, said, “Joe Biden clearly aligns with the majority of issues that concern our union and impact union members, and we’re going to do everything in our power to get him elected.”
Sullivan noted that the CSEA endorsement aligns with the already-announced endorsement of our international affiliate union, the 1.4 million-member strong American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), of which we are the largest affiliate.
“We are proud to join our millions of union sisters and brothers in AFSCME in supporting Joe Biden, who has a long history of being a strong ally to working women and men,” Sullivan said. “Unlike the current administration, Joe Biden has plans to move us forward on the issues that matter most to working Americans, and we urge all union members to vote to elect him President.”
Sullivan pointed to the Biden plan to get the Coronavirus under control throughout the country as one key difference between the candidates.
“In their response to COVID-19, our current administration was fine with letting states set their own patchwork rules and ignoring the science,” Sullivan said. “Joe Biden has called for a comprehensive public health strategy to slow
the virus’ spread, as well as an economic response that delivers real relief for workers and small businesses, and preserves the public services that CSEA members provide.”
There were many other important differences between
Biden
the candidates, on issues such as Social Security, health care, tax fairness, and fiscal relief for states and local governments. See other articles in this edition for comparisons between the candidates on several important topics.
Sullivan made the union’s endorsement after a thorough review of the records of both
major party candidates on issues important to workers, as well as conducting a survey of tens of thousands of union members, which showed clear support for Biden when it came to those issues.
CSEA activists will participate in campaign events leading up to the November elections and will conduct activities throughout the state to ensure voter turnout is strong in the elections. CSEA is encouraging union members to take advantage of early voting opportunities leading up to November 3, and to volunteer as poll workers on Election Day.
CSEA members seeking more information on Joe Biden’s ambitious “Build Back Better” vision for America should visit: https://joebiden.com/joes-vision/.
People bicycle along the Erie Canalway Trail, a multi-use trail for pedestrians, bicyclists and cross-country skiers. The 360-mile trail runs from Buffalo to Albany; the mostly flat trail includes both on-road segments and off-road trails. Each year, more than 1.6 million people visit the canal system, which includes 57 locks, 20 lift bridges and 114 dams. CSEA members who work at the New York State Canal Corp. maintain the trail and canals. See Page 12 for more. (Photo by Ove Overmyer).
CSEA officers participate in historic convention; elected to leadership roles
CSEA officers are continuing
to play a key role in the labor movement across the country and in New York state through leadership roles in CSEA’s International union, AFSCME, and New York State AFL-CIO.
Union leaders and activists recently participated in AFSCME’s 44th bi-annual convention, the first ever AFSCME convention to be held virtually.
Delegates elected CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan, Executive Vice President Denise Berkley and Capital Region President Ron Briggs unopposed as AFSCME International Vice Presidents.
Incumbent AFSCME International President Lee Saunders and Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride were also re-elected by acclamation to four-year terms by delegates.
Also at the virtual convention, delegates heard from AFSCME leadership, conducted important union business and listened to virtual addresses by economic justice activist Bishop William J. Barber; former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams; Presidential candidate Joe Biden and more.
The New York State AFL-CIO also recently elected leaders. Sullivan, Berkley and Long Island Region President Jerry Laricchiuta were recently elected as New York State AFL-CIO Vice Presidents.
The Rev. Terrence Melvin, a longtime CSEA activist and former staff member, was also re-elected unanimously as Secretary-Treasurer and Mario Cilento was unanimously re-elected as the state federation’s President.
2 The Work Force
September 2020