O’Shea
STATEN ISLAND — If there’s one major advantage of working in the maintenance department at the South Beach Psychiatric Center and recruiting for the PEOPLE program, it’s that you get around.
That’s how John O’Shea became the PEOPLE Recruiter of the Month for June, when he recruited 25 new members. PEOPLE protects and improves our jobs, benefits and pensions in Washington, Albany and in your community. Your support and participation in PEOPLE strengthens our clout in the workplace, in the legislature, in your community and in the labor movement.
At a recent local event, he sat alongside CSEA PEOPLE Coordinator Denise Felt and was able to personally call and engage members one-on-one on the importance of joining PEOPLE.
“It was easier to have a familiar face and sit with Local President Louis (Del Pozo) and Denise and talk with them about the program,” said O’Shea. “If we don’t support this program, we don’t have a voice when it comes to the politicians.”
O’Shea said members asked many questions about the program and where the money was going.
O’Shea, who also serves as his local’s 2nd vice president, told our member that our contributions improve our access to elected leaders who make decisions about the state work force and our rights as workers.
“My being a rep is not the union,” he said. “You are the union.”
He praised Felt for her assistance and said he would continue to engage members for the program.
He stressed the importance of including our members in decisions about political endorsements, a complaint he’s heard often.
“I’m all about whatever is going to help the union and benefit our members,” he said.
— David Galarza
