From left, former CSEA Director of Member Engagement Adam Acquario, former Central Region Office Manager Doreen Brazaitis and former Director of Field Operations Dean Adams show their union pride during a region member engagement event.
Dean Adams recently retired after more than 40 years of service to our union, including as a member activist and longtime CSEA staff member.
He most recently served as our union’s Director of Field Operations.
Adams began his time with CSEA in 1982 as a member when he was hired at the Erie County Correctional Facility.
Over the next 13 years, Adams held various leadership roles, including as Erie County Correctional Facility Section President and Erie County Unit Grievance Chair.
In 1995, Adams joined CSEA staff as a Western Region Labor Relations Specialist. He became CSEA’s Central Region Director in 2016.
In 2020, following the retirement of former Director Kate Luscombe, he was appointed to be the Director of Field Operations by CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity Mary gave me to lead the Field Operations Department,” said Adams. “I have always loved working with and for our members. It’s all about the members. CSEA has the most amazing staff, too, and I was proud to have the opportunity to work with all of them.”
In his 29 years as a CSEA staff member, Adams said that the biggest challenges he faced were when employers announced layoffs of our union members.
“That’s the worst thing that can happen to a member,” said Adams. “These are their lives; their families. Fighting for members to retain their jobs and losing that fight for even one of them was the most difficult thing I ever had to do.”
If there was one thing Adams could communicate to all of our union members, it would be to remember that CSEA staff has their back.
“Trust your staff,” said Adams. “Trust your representatives.”
Now that he’s retired, Adams noted that he looks forward to having some leisure time to himself without having to worry about work-related challenges.
“I plan to just relax, take a deep breath, and let this all sink in before I head off and do whatever I feel like doing next,” he said.
“Dean was a valuable part of CSEA for many years as a member, activist, leader and staff person,” said Sullivan. “His good nature made him a likeable and effective leader. I would like to thank him on behalf of CSEA for his years of service. We will miss him greatly, and we wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Radosh assumes role
Susan Radosh recently became our union’s new Director of Field Operations. In her new role, Radosh oversees our union’s region offices, the Occupational Safety and Health Department and Health Benefits Department.
“I’m pleased to welcome Susan into her new role and I have complete confidence she will do an amazing job,” said Sullivan. “I look forward to working with her and I hope you all will as well.”
Before her appointment to her current title, Radosh had served as a Deputy Director of State Operations at our union for five years. Before joining CSEA, Radosh worked at PEF, where she represented members at grievances, disciplines, arbitrations, PERB hearings and assisted with organizing in the private sector. She negotiated private sector, local government contracts and assisted in state negotiations in that position.
“I have spent 25 years in the labor movement, been a shop steward myself, represented members at various actions and enjoy seeing members empowered to fight for their rights in the workplace,” said Radosh.
Radosh said she sees an opportunity to increase membership, member participation and activism.
“CSEA has wonderful staff resources across the state, and we can use those resources to increase member workplace activism, which in turns builds union power,” said Radosh. “Member power in the workplace is the basis for better, safer working conditions, better wages and benefits. Union power is the foundation for justice for CSEA members.”
— Mathew L. Cantore
