COMMACK — CSEA statewide negotiating team members recently met with Long Island Region members at SUNY Stony Brook and SUNY Farmingdale to discuss the state contract and answer questions.
State Executive Branch members ratified the agreement on Aug. 8.
They were among the many meetings the 23-member negotiating team have been holding across the state as members prepared to vote on the tentative agreement.
During the meetings, CSEA Statewide Negotiating Team members carefully discussed the details of the proposed contract so members were able to make an informed decision before casting their ballots.
SUNY Stony Brook also went the extra mile by ensuring there was a bilingual member at their meetings for our members who speak Spanish as a primary language.
“Times are changing. We have a lot of diversity in this local. There was a language barrier that made many of our Spanish-speaking members feel uncomfortable and not included,” said Porfirio Reynoso. “Having someone that understands our bilingual members makes them feel more involved in the union.”
— Wendi Bowie
- State Negotiating Team member Joe Longo explains the ins and outs of the state contract with members from SUNY Farmingdale.
- Profirio Reynoso translates contract messaging for Spanish-speaking members in the SUNY Stony Brook Local. From left, Porfirio Reynoso, Floris Batista and Lizbeth Nunez.
- Anice DaCosta pays close attention as details of the state contract are explained.
- Betty Barker reads her copy of the state contract.
- Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte discusses the state contract with Robert Shirley.