CSEA has many organizational changes that we hope will lead us into a bold, inclusive and powerful future. Among those changes are CSEA’s new logo, an updated website, and the new and returning officers entering a new term. Occasional changes are what creates an opening for fresh and new ideas that will help CSEA step into its future while honoring our traditional, pro-labor work.

CSEA has many different departments structured to address the different needs of CSEA’s membership. With so many moving parts to this organization, it is critical that we know who to lean on and when. With that being said, all of CSEA’s departments are important, but I would like to focus on certain areas of interest:

Education and Training: The CSEA Long Island Region One Board and I arranged for CSEA’s constitutionally mandated Officers Training, Secretary Training, and Treasurer Training to be held at the Region One office. The room was packed with new and seasoned unit and local officers preparing to represent our members in all facets. The topics that CSEA educators covered during these workshops will be applied by officers at their home units and locals, making us a stronger region.

The Education and Training Department is also working with the Region One Board to design a curriculum for our upcoming region workshop. We encourage new and seasoned leaders to attend to build on their current skillset and further develop their leadership ability.

I would also encourage any officer who has not taken CSEA’s LEAD program to consider registering for it next time it is offered. The LEAD program offers valuable information that will be helpful to CSEA officers, especially those that are looking to advance in their leadership career. 

Field Operations: It is important for members to work with their Labor Relations Specialist (LRS) to use their knowledge and skillset to strengthen contracts that are beneficial to the membership, and so we can be educated on the dos and don’ts of contract negotiations.

In Region One, I would like officers and members to focus on forming a cohesive group with Labor Relations by learning and understanding the roles and responsibilities of LRSs and those of CSEA officers.

Legal Department: CSEA’s Legal Department offers protection to our union members by litigating labor and employment cases, as well as providing legal counsel to the organization and to several standing board committees.

The Legal Department is a vital resource to help members answer questions regarding grievances and arbitrations. The Region One Board and I have a goal to make sure all members in Region One understand the ways that Field Operations and the Legal Department are intertwined to address contract negotiations, grievances, and other legal matters. Both departments play an essential role in advocating for our members.

Legislative and Political Action (PAC): For CSEA to obtain the clout we need to pass pro-union legislation, we need to work with PAC. With their help, CSEA members have the power to influence elected officials who will stand up for the working class. 

The Region One Board and I will be working with PAC to educate members about the federal budget and how it will impact CSEA members. To be specific, the budget includes cuts to health care, education, social services, and Medicaid. If New York state does not receive the necessary funding, many of our union members could lose their jobs and there will be less money available to fund fair contracts for both state and local government workers.

New York state cannot afford to lose billions of dollars in government funding. The Region One Board and I will be working with PAC to share up-to-date information as we learn more.

Organizing: The Organizing Department focuses on the recruitment of new members into CSEA. The group provides guidance and resources to workers going through the organizing process.

In Region One, we will be focusing on both internal and external organizing:

     *Internal Organizing: We will continue to communicate regularly with members through conversations that keep them active and engaged.

     *External Organizing: We will be exploring leads on workers interested in organizing with CSEA to bring more members into CSEA.

Membership Department: I would consider the Membership Department to be an extension of the Organizing Department. This group shows us the importance of face-to-face conversations with members about issues that affect them, which is what we have been doing in Region One.

Field Mobilization Specialists work with Officers, LRSs and Member Benefits to plan Member Engagement visits at your worksites and homes. Schedule permitting, they will attend Information Days and other events to help signup new members.

Communications Department: The Communications Department manages how CSEA presents itself internally and to the public. Its goal is to ensure consistent and clear messaging that supports CSEA’s initiatives. They are the historian for this organization through written and digital material.

Region One is working with Communications to promote the work of our union members and leadership and relying on them to give our members a voice through the Region One Newsletter and helping to craft statements to the press and creating social media content.

I would like to see more members using their social media pages to share and post CSEA activities. With CSEA members supporting the efforts of our Communications professionals, CSEA’s messages and actions will reach an even larger audience.

All these departments, and those that I do not have the room to mention, shows how officers and staff work together to continuously grow CSEA’s strength. Together, we are bold, inclusive, and powerful.

In solidarity,

Jarvis Brown

CSEA Long Island Region President