Page 2 - Work Force September 2024

Photo of the Month
Freedom Foundation loses access to member information
Capital Region Treasurer Stacey Baldwin-Deyo at AFSCME’s 46th International Convention. See pages 10-11 for more. (Photo by Broome Developmental Center Local President Kim Grover)
CSEA members recently got a victory over the Freedom Foundation, which has been targeting union members.
The anti-labor group will no longer have access to members’ personal information in Jefferson County, after a state appellate court overturned
an earlier that allowed the group the information.
The Freedom Foundation sent
a Freedom of Information (FOIL) request to Jefferson County seeking information for every county employee who was represented
by CSEA. The group had sought
the employee’s first name, middle name, last name, gender, public office address, job title, hire date, agency or department, work email address or naming convention and domain, work telephone number and bargaining unit.
County officials refused to provide the requested information, deeming it an unwarranted invasion of privacy. The Freedom Foundation also wanted the information to solicit employees in their ongoing attempts
to scam members into leaving our union.
After the request was denied,
the Freedom Foundation sued Jefferson County. In early 2023, New York Supreme Court found that the Freedom Foundation was entitled to the information under Freedom of Information Law in New York.
Jefferson County appealed, arguing that the Freedom Foundation wants the information only for solicitation purposes, which is improper under FOIL. The Freedom Foundation argued that it wanted
to educate public employees about the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court Janus decision Janus v. AFSCME Council 31.
In late July, the New York Appellate Division, 4th Department agreed with Jefferson County, reversed the lower court decision and dismissed the Freedom Foundation’s lawsuit.
This is another victory for CSEA members’ privacy and protecting them against unwanted solicitations from the Freedom Foundation.
CSEA celebrates Labor Day!
The first Monday in September
is Labor Day, a very special holiday for everyone in the labor movement and there will be events to celebrate it throughout the state.
“I encourage you and your members to attend events and show off your CSEA pride!” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan.
Here is a list of events in which CSEA members will participate. For more information or questions, contact your region office.
Long Island, Metropolitan and Southern Regions:
Manhattan: New York City Labor Day Parade – CSEA members
from our union’s Long Island, Metropolitan and Southern Regions will march in the annual parade on
Saturday, September 7. Line up at 10 a.m. To register, visit tinyurl.com/ CSEA-NYCLaborDay-2024.
Capital Region:
Clifton Park: Capital District Labor Day Family Celebration - The Capital District Area Labor Federation will host a family celebration for union families on Monday, September 2 from noon – 4 p.m. at the American Legion Mohawk Post 1450, 275 Grooms Road, Clifton Park, NY. More information is forthcoming.
Central Region:
Syracuse: Syracuse Labor Day Parade – The New York State Fair culminates in a Labor Day Parade on Monday, September 2, at 10:30
In this 2023 file photo, CSEA Long Island, Metropolitan and Southern Region members march in the New York City Labor Day Parade.
a.m. at the fairgrounds. After stopping by to visit CSEA’s booth, participate in the parade!
Western Region
Rochester Labor Day Parade – The parade will kick off at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 2.
Buffalo Labor Day Parade – The parade will start at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 2. Lineup will be at the corner of Dorrance Avenue and McKinley Parkway in Buffalo.
2 The Work Force
September 2024