Frequently Asked Questions

CSEA, The Civil Service Employees Association, was founded in 1910 by state government workers to improve their working conditions and their lives. More than 100 years, later the better question is probably WHO is CSEA? We’re state and local government employees, school district workers, private sector employees and child care providers throughout New York State who have come together to continue to improve our working conditions and lives, just as our predecessors did in 1910.

CSEA is a member-run union, and members are in charge of how our union functions. Through our union democracy, members vote for union representatives. CSEA is governed by elected officers, Board of Directors, and delegates to our Regular Delegates Meeting, who make changes to our Constitution and By-Laws.

As a member-run union, our union functions at its best when members take the time to get informed and involved. Almost all of our union representatives in the workplace are volunteers who give up their time to represent their co-workers. When members get involved, we build our strength and power

A group of state employees formed the Association of State Civil Service Employees on Oct. 24, 1910. More than 100 years later, the Civil Service Employees Association (as the association was renamed in 1946), is one of the largest, most influential unions in the United States.

In 1946, the Association voted to extend membership to local government employees. The following year, Westchester County became the first local government group to join CSEA. Today, CSEA represents thousands of workers employed by counties, municipalities and school districts.

In 1982, CSEA delegates voted to begin organizing private sector workers in industries where work was traditionally performed by public employees. Over the past 40 years, CSEA has helped thousands of private sector workers form a union, including workers employed in health care, direct care, food service, libraries, maintenance, child care, emergency response and other industries.

CSEA is the largest affiliate union of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which in turn is one of the largest affiliate unions of the AFL-CIO.

CSEA is more strong and effective when members get involved. Whether it’s attending a meeting, volunteering to build the union at your workplace or simply learning more about our union, you can help make a difference and keep our union strong.

If your workplace is already unionized by CSEA, you may be eligible to join. You can fill out the CSEA membership application [needs link]. If your workplace isn’t unionized but you’re interested in learning more, the CSEA Organizing Department would love to hear from you! Call (800) 342-4146, ext. 1401, or email us!