CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan with a CSEA Appreciation Day sign. “As a union, we are so proud of our co-workers who have met this challenge head-on in so many different ways, delivering the essential services to keep our communities going and help out our fellow citizens in this time of great need. Their commitment to public service has been incredible and we salute them and call on all New Yorkers to thank them for their service. Happy CSEA Appreciation Day!”
ALBANY – CSEA recently designated May 20, 2020, as CSEA Appreciation Day, a day to publicly recognize essential workers throughout the state for their outstanding service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan unveiled the design of a lawn sign union activists are placing outside workplaces around the state on Wednesday to appreciate their co-workers who have been working tirelessly throughout the crisis to provide essential public services.
“We’re posting these signs across the state to recognize our essential workers for their sacrifices and thank them for their service during this critical time of need for all New Yorkers,” Sullivan said.
Throughout the pandemic, tens of thousands of CSEA members remained on the job providing many critical services to people in communities throughout New York, including jobs such as, but not limited to:
• Caring for individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities;
• Maintaining our roads, highways and critical infrastructure;
• Maintaining physical facilities and grounds at public buildings;
• Treating sewage, collecting municipal garbage and operating landfills;
• Helping people in need connect with social safety net services;
• Keeping us safe with corrections, law enforcement, 911 dispatch and other emergency services;
• Providing vital public health services, including supporting our SUNY University Hospital System;
• Caring for residents in nursing homes;
• Providing child care for the children of first responders;
• School workers providing meals to students in need, cleaning school buildings to prevent the spread of illness; and
• Parks workers keeping our recreational spaces operational.
In praising the workers for their public service, Sullivan said CSEA hopes members of the public will also recognize their value.
“All too often, our CSEA members work behind the scenes and get taken for granted,” Sullivan said. “We hope that the public, like we do, recognizes their dedication and commitment to public service, and just how much they are doing, often at great personal sacrifice, to help get us through this crisis.”
