Burton
SYRACUSE — There is one word that can describe Syracuse State Employees Local President Diane Burton — involved.
It’s Burton’s involvement that got her nominated and selected for the 2020 Danny Donohue Leadership Award for the State Division.
Burton, an office assistant II at the New York State Insurance Fund, has been a Syracuse State Employees Local member since 2015, but her union involvement actually started while working at SUNY Upstate.
SUNY Upstate Local President Kathy Yeldon approached Burton and asked if she wanted to get involved in the union.
“It was my first experience with a union; it was an eye opener,” Burton said. “We were all trained as stewards and grievance representatives, and Kathy made sure that the officers were involved in representing the membership.”
Always learning
Before her time at SUNY Upstate and State Insurance Fund, Burton said that she moved quickly between jobs.
“My dad always used to say, ‘you jump a lot of jobs,’” Burton said. “And I said, ‘it’s all a learning experience.’”
Wherever Burton is, she is always able to learn something new and apply it in the future. Whether it’s being on a health and safety committee on which she is learning about workplace safety issue, or helping with various Central Region committees, Burton is constantly learning.
“[When I was at SUNY Upstate], I couldn’t figure out why everyone didn’t think or worked like I did,” Burton said. “But [I took a] course [through the employer]in which they broke thought processes down by eras and how they changed over time. The light bulb went off. I was able to change my way of being a supervisor because I was able to think about how others were going to perceive things.”
A true leader
Burton humbly said she didn’t expect to be chosen for a prestigious award such as the Danny Donohue Leadership Award. When Burton reflected on the work she has done for CSEA, she didn’t even realize that she epitomized the ideals of leadership.
“I just figure it was my job. Not my job, but just a part of the expectation of being a member of CSEA and an officer. I didn’t think of it in any other way,” Burton said. “When I think about someone getting some type of award like this, it’s because they’ve gone above and beyond. I feel it’s just the expectation I have for myself and what CSEA would like from its members and officers.”
Diane Burton, left, joins Syracuse State Employees Local activist Jason Allen in volunteering for CSEA’s New York State Fair table.
Burton’s duty as Syracuse State Employees Local President isn’t always easy. She describes the local as a “catch-all” for numerous state agencies with offices in Central New York.
“[The local represents workers in] 41 agencies,” Burton said. “That’s challenging right there. We go as far as the gaming commission at del Lago (in Waterloo) down to Montour Falls. They’re spread out. The biggest challenge is working full time and getting to those members who aren’t in the local area.”
But Burton continues to represent and advocate for each of the local members.
“Diane informs and educates the members on benefits offered through our union and job opportunities that may arise,” said CSEA Statewide Treasurer Nicole Meeks, who is from the Central Region. “She is there for members when she’s needed for disciplinary matters. She shows compassion for all and has a heart of gold.”
The importance of our union family
Being a union family means a lot to Burton, who said it’s hard to explain to those who have never experienced it.
Diane Burton, second from left, joins CSEA Central Region activists, from left, Casey Walpole, SUNY Oswego Local President James Jackson, Paul Jones and Rosemary Jones in supporting striking UAW members in late 2019.
“We have such a diverse group of people. We learn from each other and we’re there for each other in the good and bad times – in personal life, too,” Burton said. “We all have dysfunction in our family, but there are a lot of people out there who don’t have any family. So, I think the union gives those people a feeling that they belong, they’re loved, and they’re cared for.”
Like many union activists, it usually runs in the family.
“My dad was [a member of]Communications Workers of America (CWA), and my mom worked at the New York Telephone Company,” Burton said. “I remember there were some conversations going on about union business, but I was a teen back then and didn’t really think about it. But when I walk into the Greater Syracuse Labor Council, I can feel my dad in there.”
Burton’s dad was a steward and was very involved in his union. She remembers that he used to talk about a lot of influential labor leaders.
“I guess maybe that was where the seed was planted,” Burton said. “Maybe I just didn’t realize it until the past couple of years when I think about my dad.”
— Nicholas Newcomb
