CSEA City of Long Beach Full-Time Unit members Shane Apple and Michael Hartman, standing center, wearing union caps and sweatshirts, are congratulated by their families, CSEA City of Long Beach Unit officers and city officials for becoming full-time employees. (Photo provided by City of Long Beach Full-Time Unit President John Mooney, standing, far left.)
COMMACK — CSEA members in the City of Long Beach and Town of Oyster Bay are among our union members who are key to helping workers who are living with developmental disabilities thrive on the job while providing essential services to the community.
Two CSEA City of Long Beach part-time members who have autism were recently promoted to full-time workers due to our union’s dedication to inclusion.
“Both sets of parents wanted to get their sons jobs so they could get work experience and be more part of the community,” said CSEA City of Long Beach Unit President John Mooney. “As a unit, we really wanted to push to make them full time because we recognize they’ve been dealt a rough hand. It’s up to us as CSEA leaders to break those barriers to make sure they have a voice just like everybody else.”
When they learned of their sons’ promotions to full-time workers, the members’ parents cried tears of joy.
“One day, their parents will not be here,” said CSEA City of Long Beach Unit member Thomas Canner, a maintenance superintendent. “With these jobs, they are developing skills that will prepare them to live a fuller life. They also have medical benefits and a pension that they will need in the future.”
One of the new full-time workers is based in Long Beach City Hall doing filing and paperwork for administration. The other new worker cleans public buses.
As for their quality of work, it can’t be matched.
“Shane [Apple] and Michael [Hartman] are amazing young men and two of the best workers we have,” said Canner. “They take a lot of pride in their jobs and we love having them here.”
Several CSEA City of Long Beach Unit members have children who have disabilities. The members noted they are happy to see the promotions because it gives them hope for their own children’s futures.
Integrating through relationships
The Town of Oyster Bay also employs multiple CSEA members who have developmental disabilities. While some of these members are considered to be high functioning, be verbal and can drive town vehicles, other members need more assistance to complete their assigned tasks.
Most of the workers with developmental disabilities are assigned to the Town of Oyster Bay Parks Department, which offers many types of duties.
CSEA Town of Oyster Bay Local leaders have identified other CSEA members who have shown to have the patience and propensity to potentially work with individuals with developmental disabilities.
“Our local president [Jarvis Brown] advocates for members who have developmental disabilities to be hired,” said CSEA Town of Oyster Bay Local Executive Vice President Guadalupe Johnson. “We rely heavily on the relationships [Brown] has built throughout the town with members and administration to steer the new member toward a worksite where they’ll have an optimum performance level.”
The CSEA Town of Oyster Bay Local follows up with workers themselves to ensure the continuous integration of workers with developmental disabilities. If a need arises, the local addresses it immediately.
“If we don’t step in, the workers may fall by the wayside,” said Johnson.
William G. Law III works a sanitation route at Theodore Roosevelt Park in the Town of Oyster Bay.
CSEA Town of Oyster Bay Local Treasurer Kathy Law’s son, William G. Law III, works for the the town’s Parks and Recreation Department and needs accommodations.
Kathy Law is adamant that her son be given the same tasks as any other laborer in his position.
“Some places only hire workers who need accommodations in name, without assigning the workers any tasks,” said Law. “I let people know that I want my son to fulfill the duties his job entails, just like any other worker.”
Law noted that successfully integrating workers with developmental disabilities into the workforce is beneficial to workers, employers and our union as the demographics of the American workforce change.
“For the last 35 to 40 years, there’s been more and more cases of people with developmental disabilities, especially among men,” said Kathy Law. “People living with developmental disabilities are going to be a larger part of the workforce. They’re human beings who want to feel safe and accepted on the job, just like you and me.”
— Wendi Bowie
