CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan, left, and CSEA Membership Committee Chair Hattie Adams, right, congratulate Babylon School District Clerical Unit President Deborah Maya Melito, center, on receiving the Nadra Floyd Award for Organizing at the 114th Annual Delegates Meeting.
BABYLON — Being a sounding board and a constant source of information comes naturally to CSEA Babylon School District Clerical/Nurses Unit President Deborah Maya Melito.
Her innate ability to bring people together was an all-important trait when aiding the Babylon Aides and Monitors Unit in their organizing efforts.
For her dedication, Melito was honored with our union’s Nadra Floyd Award at CSEA’s 114th Annual Delegates Meeting.
“It was amazing to get the award,” said Melito. “It was a big honor, especially once I did some research about Nadra Floyd and found out what an amazing person she was.”
Melito’s organizing story begins with Melito offering advice and being a strong voice for change.
As a clerical worker, Melito was in the position to see the weak agreement the aides in the school district had with their former de facto union. Having worked as a monitor before becoming a clerical worker, Melito noted that she is very aware of the problems the workers face and is very sensitive to their issues.
When certain paperwork would cross Melito’s desk, she would approach management on the workers’ behalf, questioning unfair or inequitable treatment.
Seeing Melito’s willingness to advocate for workers who were not part of her bargaining unit developed a sense of trust with the future members.
Melito had such a habit of protecting the aides and monitors that it was suggested that she speak to the group about becoming CSEA members, an idea that had been discussed amongst the group for a couple of years.
After a few roadblocks were cleared, the aides and monitors were finally free to jump on the opportunity to join CSEA.
CSEA Babylon School District Clerical/Nurses Unit President Deborah Maya Melito on the job.
“I let them know how important it is to have representation. You can’t harness any power to defend yourselves alone,” said Melito. “It’s really important to have resources.”
CSEA Babylon School District Aides and Monitors Unit members Claire Joseph and Karen Altieri helped lead the unit’s organizing efforts. Melito provided constant assistance based on her knowledge of the district and her experience as unit president of the clerical/nurses unit.
The new school administration being pro union has made the transition to union membership much easier for the aides and monitors.
Although the members’ former de facto union was not helpful to workers, some aides and monitors still hesitated to join CSEA. Every time one of the aides or monitors would approach Melito about their thoughts, she offered encouraging words and sound advice about the benefits of union membership.
“That’s how I am as a person,” said Melito. “I want to see people do better.”
Organizing the Babylon School District Aides and Monitors Unit has also led to more cohesion with the CSEA Babylon School District Clerical/Nurses Unit.
The two groups hope to plan a joint event in the future, similar to when custodial unit member invited other CSEA members in the school district to their picnic last summer.
“As members, we need to do more co-mingling between units because it shows members that they are an appreciated part of the workplace,” said Melito.
Melito’s advice to future organizers is simple.
“Just do the best job you can do and be kind to people,” said Melito.
— Wendi Bowie
