This has been a banner year for our union. We have a lot to reflect on and many successes to celebrate. I know there is much more to look forward to in 2023.
We recently commemorated our 112th anniversary, and I’m proud to say we are still going strong. Although we may have faced some of our greatest challenges during the last few years, we have persevered. Over the last few months, we reopened our buildings and resumed meeting in person to conduct our union’s business and share each other’s company at statewide conferences and regional meetings.
We negotiated and passed the best contract with the State that our union has seen in over a decade.
Additionally, we passed a state budget that funds all of our state agencies and provides for over 20 billion dollars to be invested in our health care workforce.
In 2022, we saw the first positive pension reform in more than 20 years; now members in both Tiers 5 and 6 can be vested in just five years.
Multiple local government contracts have been settled all over the state with wage increases, no givebacks and Juneteenth has been added as a paid holiday. We also reached our fourth contract with New York State for our CSEA/VOICE child care providers.
Even though we have been under attack from outside organizations and aggressive union-busting tactics, we continue to grow our union by organizing workers in both the public and private sectors. We’ve had more than 10 new groups from throughout the state join us in the past year. These newest union members are part of a nationwide organizing resurgence which speaks to the dignity, pride and many benefits our members identify as the union difference.
Another key component to keeping our union strong and protecting our future, is by highlighting and demonstrating that knowledge is power. This year, we saw our 8th class of graduates from the LEAD program and held an engaging conference for our growing number of Retirees.
Thank you everyone for all of your hard work, for keeping our communities safe and for your dedication to keeping the state running in spite of so many challenges.
I am committed to help all of you in this time of rising costs to provide assistance wherever possible. That is why I requested and received approval from the Budget Committee and Board of Directors to forego passing along an annual AFSCME dues increase in 2023. Our union will absorb this cost this one time, rather than passing it along to our members.
I wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy holiday season. As we continue the trend of strengthening our union, I feel optimistic for all that the new year will bring.
My very best to you and yours.
In Solidarity,
Mary E. Sullivan, President
