Page 4 - Work Force September 2024

President Mary E. Sullivan in touch with
Wor k Force ISSN 1522-1091
Official publication of
CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO 143 Washington Ave. Albany, NY 12210-2303
Mary E. Sullivan, President
MATHEW L. CANTORE
Acting Director of Communications and Publisher
JANICE GAVIN
Editor
JASON D. HOSIER
Graphic Production Specialist
KATE POHLMANN
Graphic Production Specialist
BOBBY COMPANI
Digital Content Coordinator
JOELLE LUCENTE
Communications Assistant
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) 782-4400
Central Region:
NICHOLAS NEWCOMB
(315) 728-3375
Western Region:
SYDNEY THOMAS
(716) 691-6555
Headquarters:
JILL ASENCIO
(518) 257-1276
The Publications Committee:
Chris Vogel, Chair Karen Bright
Tim Finnigan
Kathleen Rider Marnie Rounds John Wagner
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
cseany.org
4 The Work Force
September 2024
Wor k Force and proud!
The
Union powerful
CLSEA Family,
abor Day is perhaps the most .significant observance for
the labor movement. This is when union members celebrate the many achievements of working people. We also look to the labor movement’s future and show our collective power by proudly participating in parades and other events.
The origins of Labor Day center
on showing worker solidarity. On September 5, 1882, more than 10,000 workers in New York City took unpaid time off from work to march from City Hall to Union Square. This march is considered the first-ever Labor Day parade in U.S. history. Labor Day didn’t become a federal holiday until 1894, when President Grover Cleveland signed legislation declaring it a national holiday. This was a big victory for working people thanks to all those workers who came together to march for what they believed in.
Throughout history, union members have been critical to
efforts to regulate work hours;
end child labor; secure fair pay, health insurance, leave time and retirement benefits; set standards
for safer, healthier workplaces; end discrimination in the workplace; elect
candidates who support working people and much more. Brave union members who came before us paved the way for positive changes. Some of them risked everything to achieve these goals. Working people – both union members and nonunion workers – live better lives as a result.
As we recognize and appreciate the efforts of all those before us, we also look ahead. We still must fight for respect and dignity. We follow in the footsteps of those who brought us this far by coming together, showing our strength and power and bettering our working conditions.
I am optimistic about labor’s future. About two-thirds of Americans
view unions favorably. 88 percent of workers under age 30 support unions.
We must continue to fight for what is right. We must remind everyone of our strength and power not just on Labor Day, but every day. When we stand strong together, there is nothing we cannot do.
In solidarity,
Mary E. Sullivan, President