AFSCME International President Lee
Saunders, right, accepts a donation to the
AFSCME Fallen Heroes Fund from CSEA.
CSEA President Danny Donohue presented
the donation on behalf of the union.
ROCHESTER — Our 107th Annual Delegates Meeting gave nearly 1,000 CSEA leaders a chance to build our knowledge so we can continue to build our union.
These skills will be more important than ever, as our union gears up to face challenges, including those surrounding the impending U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, which will review the constitutionality of agency, or fair share, fees.
“[Unions] are under attack across the country,” CSEA President Danny Donohue said. “That is why we need all the preparation and training we can get to stand strong and stand together so we can face these challenges so we can lead our union into the future.”
During an address, AFSCME International President Lee Saunders urged delegates to continue reaching out to all of our members.
“We need to strengthen our union from inside out, talking with our members and non-members and listening to what they have to say,” Saunders said. “We may rely on technology, but nothing takes the place of having a one-on-one conversation, listening to our members and asking them to be engaged in our struggle.”
AFSCME International Secretary-Treasurer Elissa
McBride, right, presents during the AFSCME
Leadership Academy session.
Another plenary session centered around the constitutional convention vote. Delegates were urged to spread the message to others to vote NO, including through speaking with at least 10 people about why the convention is a bad idea for New York and posting their opposition to the convention on social media pages.
The meeting included numerous trainings on union leadership, along with workshops designed to build our skills and knowledge on union issues.
AFSCME International Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride also met with delegates, inspiring them to stand strong in the face of challenges. “You are part of a union of 1.6 million [mostly]public service workers across this country; folks like you who never quit on their communities. You have leaders here at CSEA who will never quit on you. Thanks for what you do.”
The Rev. Dr. Marlowe Washington discusses his
lifelong support for working people with his
inspirational address during a Never Quit plenary session.
