SUNY Stony Brook Local 614 President Carlos Speight visits a few of the Heating
Ventilation Air Conditioning Apprenticeship Program members at the worksite.
Standing, from left, Daniel Byrnes, Christopher Zilli, Andrew Keppler, Hassan
Bias , SUNY Stony Brook Local 614 President Carlos Speight. Seated, John Lopez.
Not pictured, Kenneth Gifft and Joseph Lorio. (Photos provided by Carlos Speight.)
STONY BROOK — CSEA believes in investing in its members, which is why there are a plethora of learning opportunities available to dues paying members.
We also have members like those in the SUNY Stony Brook Local who took it upon themselves to work with their employees to create a learning opportunity.
“We established a labor management agreement for the creation of an HVAC [Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning] apprenticeship program,” said SUNY Stony Brook Local President Carlos Speight. “This program helps the hospital and the university because it allows for a more cost-effective way to address heating and ventilation concerns.”
Before the HVAC program was established, SUNY Stony Brook had been hiring outside contractors, which was so costly that the hospital could not afford to keep a technician on site.
The new program is a win-win for CSEA members and hospital administration because employees can continue to work their jobs, while they are being educated for a new career opportunity, and the hospital saves money by keeping skilled labor in-house.
Bias
Hassan Bias is one of seven members enrolled in the HVAC Apprenticeship Program.
“The hours for the program are conducive to our work schedules,” said Bias. “We [program participants]have class for three hours two days a week and we’re allowed to leave work early so we can get to class on time.”
Class participants also get hands on HVAC work experience before they go to class, which helps to reinforce what they are learning.
“Monday through Friday we work with a senior person who is a certified HVAC technician and Tuesday and Thursday we go to class, after work,” said Bias. “This program is great in my eyes.”
If the pilot program continues to turn out more skilled laborers, there will undoubtedly be future classes.
The CSEA SUNY Stony Brook Local also feels the program is important because a clear career trajectory encourages members to continue their employment at the hospital; learning on-site also makes members feel more invested in the hospital’s status.
Everyone taking the class is thrilled that CSEA’s SUNY Stony Brook Local and the hospital were able to find a way for workers to progress in their careers.
“It’s very hard to move forward without having a trade behind you,” said Bias. “I feel really blessed to have this opportunity.”
The fact that CSEA played an integral role in creating this new career opportunity has increased members’ appreciation for union membership.
“When I first started working for Stony Brook Hospital, I didn’t know much about unions,” said Bias. “After seeing all that CSEA has done, and is doing, for members, I can’t shut up about the benefits of union membership.”
— Wendi Bowie
