Message from Long Island Region President Jarvis Brown

I am pleased to begin this month’s message with the tremendous success of the region board’s push for officers to be trained in grievance, discipline and interrogation. Unit and local officers heard the “alarm” and have been heading the call.

To date, more than 200 officers have updated their required training.

The next big event the Region One Board and I are preparing for is the New York City Labor Day Parade, which is September 7, 2024. We will be showing our union pride as we march with our CSEA family from Regions Two and Three.

In order to make traveling easier for members, the region board and I will be chartering two buses to take region members to the parade.

Members who have a working email on file with CSEA will be receiving a message with further details. Those who do not can speak to their local and unit officers for more information.

I am looking forward to the CSEA contingent putting on a grand display at the parade. I am equally hopeful that we will have the full involvement of Long Island members. I do not think members realize how important having a proper showing at major events like the New York City Labor Day Parade is. While it is a fun day, it is also a time when all eyes are on union members. A large showing makes CSEA look strong to the masses and is a signal that CSEA members are formidable opponents to those that may come against us. A small showing proves otherwise. Join us at the parade and be a part of building our union’s strength and notoriety in New York State.

The region board is working with CSEA’s Education and Training Department to develop the curriculum for the upcoming Long Island Region One Workshop, where we will be getting back to CSEA basics. Too many members speak negatively about CSEA while not being educated on the abundance of resources at their disposal due to their union membership. I feel confident that after attending the workshop, members will have a broader understanding of CSEA and a more positive perception of what it has to offer.

The Region One Board and I will also be continuing our efforts to interact more with members around the region by meeting you where you are – member meetings and local and unit events. We want to familiarize ourselves with region members, so you know us by face and name and feel comfortable speaking with us candidly. These open lines of communication will lead us toward making this region a more cohesive unit.

I ask that members meet us halfway and work toward educating themselves more about the happenings in their units and locals. An educated membership is a more powerful membership that has the tools to hold their management and union leadership responsible for their actions.

It is equally important for members to know that the Region One Office, located at 3 Garet Place in Commack, is open to region members. Do not hesitate to stop by if you are in need of counsel or if you would like an introduction. You can also call the region office at 631-462-0030 if you feel more comfortable securing an appointment for us to speak.

As you can see, there are several opportunities for members to get to know their region representatives and other members from around the region. I ask that you use the upcoming events as an opportunity to recommit yourselves to our union and recognize the role that every member has to play in it. I hope to see new and old faces at the events. Our newfound relationships will make for a stronger region.