Welcome to 2022. I’m optimistic this will be an exciting year of possibilities for us all.
I’m optimistic this will be the year we finally get rid of the scourge of COVID-19. I hope that more people will listen to the experts who say that vaccines are a safe and effective way to limit the spread and severity of this deadly virus, and choose to protect themselves, their families, and their co-workers.
I’m optimistic this will be the year workers in public service will get real recognition and respect for their dedication, service, and sacrifice over the past two years. I hope we’ll see that recognition in meaningful ways like wage increases, hazard duty pay, or employers using Federal stimulus funding in ways which improve the work lives of CSEA members.
I’m optimistic this will be the year we find real solutions to staffing shortages that plague many of our agencies and workplaces. I hope we can find ways to recruit and retain workers so that so many of our sisters and brothers can get a well-deserved break from mandated overtime, and gain a more reasonable work/life balance.
I’m optimistic this will be the year union members get more politically active, recognizing that we exist under rules set by politicians, and when we aren’t involved, we lose our voice in the decision-making process that impacts our work and workplaces.
I’m optimistic this will be the year employers take workplace safety and security more seriously, so that we don’t have to memorialize any more workers killed on the job this Workers’ Memorial Day.
I’m optimistic this will be the year you strengthen our union by asking your co-workers, especially the new ones, to join. The most common reason why workers haven’t signed up? “No one ever asked me to.”
I’m optimistic this will be the year you get more involved in our union, recognizing that we gain strength and power when we tap into our vast people power. You could volunteer for a union committee, take part in a union training, or attend a union meeting or function for the first time. Anything you do will build us stronger.
I’m optimistic this will be the year we learn to treat each other with respect, no matter our differences, and learn to celebrate our diversity, instead of being more divided.
I’m optimistic this will be the year we begin looking forward with a positive outlook, and work toward making positive changes, so that we end 2022 looking back with pride and approval on what we’ve been able to accomplish, together.
I’m optimistic this will be that year for all of us.
In Solidarity,
Mary E. Sullivan, President
