CSEA business is being done via technologies such as videoconference and teleconference. Clockwise from top left, Central Region President Kenny Greenleaf, Western Region President Steve Healy, Capital Region President Ron Briggs and U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado, who recently met virtually with Briggs, Southern Region President Anthony Adamo, center, and activists.
The COVID-19 pandemic has not only changed the way our members provide essential services to our communities, but how our union provides services to our own members.
CSEA is open for business and working harder than ever to protect our members who provide essential services to our communities. To accomplish this and abide by social distancing, we are using technology.
“Many of our members are on the front lines and it’s imperative that we are there for them when they need us the most,” CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan said.
Sullivan is urging members to conduct meetings via videoconference or teleconference. Many of our union’s planned in-person meetings this year have been canceled or postponed.
Our region, local and unit leaders have been relying on videoconference, teleconference and more technology to provide services, a change for many activists who may prefer more traditional face-to-face contact with our members.
Western Region President Steve Healy said our CSEA activists know these are unprecedented times. “The shift to remote work and the use of more tech platforms took some getting used to, but we are managing pretty well,” Healy said. “Everyone is stepping up to the challenge and we are continuing to do the business of the union. There is a bit of a learning curve here, but members are finding unique and creative ways to keep our union, their workplace and local communities functioning from remote locations. I would expect nothing less from our membership.”
Central Region President Kenny Greenleaf is also adjusting to using technology to do union business.
“Video conferencing obviously isn’t my preferred method of communication, but we’re doing everything possible to ensure our local and unit presidents have the tools and information they need to serve our membership,” Greenleaf said. “We’ve laughed because I’ve had to conference call people in on my phone if they aren’t able to get into Skype. It’s been challenging, but Region 5 is always up to the challenge.”
“Our challenge is getting important messages out to our members,” Capital Region President Ron Briggs said. “The ways that we typically communicate in our union are paused. I have had several meetings over the web and while informative and educational, I [miss]the personal interaction.”
Briggs, Southern Region President Anthony Adamo and activists from both regions recently participated in a video meeting with U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado, whose district includes parts of the Hudson Valley and Capital District, about securing more federal aid to New York.
Preparing ourselves
Over the past several years, CSEA has upgraded our union’s own technology to better serve our members in a rapidly changing world.
Many of our members who have recently entered the workforce expect increased use of digital resources, particularly in light of many members living remotely or working non-traditional hours.
CSEA is increasingly using remote meetings, webinars, online trainings and electronic communications such as frequent email blasts to members.
Another advance is our “My CSEA” app for mobile devices, which includes union news, event calendars and access to important leadership information our officers need to represent members from anywhere.
CSEA’s Education and Training and Occupational Safety and Health Departments recently launched several online courses to allow our members to continue to have access to important training, knowledge and resources.
“Whatever courses you decide to take, we hope you find them useful in your efforts to build a stronger union,” Sullivan said. “While COVID-19 has accelerated our e-learning efforts, this is also the beginning of an exciting new time for our union.”
— Janice Gavin, Ove Overmyer, Jessica Ladlee, Nicholas Newcomb and Therese Assalian
