BINGHAMTON — Binghamton Housing Authority (BHA) workers are standing together to win a stronger voice on the job with support from CSEA members, Volunteer Member Organizers (VMOs), labor activists and elected officials who are making one thing clear: These workers are not standing alone.
On Oct. 19, BHA employees and supporters gathered outside a BHA board meeting to demand the agency voluntarily recognize their union. The rally followed months of organizing by workers who have signed union cards in overwhelming numbers and want union representation.
Rather than recognize the workers’ choice, BHA leadership has denied their request for voluntary recognition. Workers say the continued fight wastes taxpayer money that could be better spent supporting the agency and the residents it serves.
“The only people benefiting from these delays are the lawyers getting paid to fight us,” said Amy Sherwood, a BHA bookkeeper. “BHA is asking the City Council for more money and resources while potentially wasting tens of thousands of dollars on legal fees. They could recognize our union now instead of dragging this out.”
The campaign has drawn support from local elected officials. The Binghamton City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the workers’ efforts and calling on BHA leadership to voluntarily recognize their union. The mayor of Binghamton has also voiced support.
At a Sept. 18 BHA Board meeting, members expressed support for workers organizing. Days later, employees were told their request for voluntary recognition had been denied.
At the Oct. 19 meeting, workers also submitted a petition of no confidence in Executive Director Jean Wescott to the BHA Board. An overwhelming number of employees signed the petition, requesting an impartial review of her leadership and consideration of her removal.
For workers, the campaign is about more than recognition. They want a voice in decisions affecting their daily work, including concerns about working conditions, morale and management accountability. They believe a strong union can also improve recruitment and retention.
“We deserve better working conditions and respect,” said James Polhamus, a maintenance mechanic. “A union will give us a voice and help us hold management accountable.”
Activists show support
CSEA members and activists have played an important role in the campaign, showing up to meetings and public actions to stand alongside BHA workers. Their presence sends a message that organizing is not something workers have to take on alone.
Lona Brooks, 3rd vice president of CSEA’s Broome DDSO Local, attended both the City Council meeting and the BHA Board meeting, adding her voice to the calls for recognition and demonstrating CSEA’s support.
“Workers need to see that their union brothers and sisters have their backs,” said Brooks. “When people stand up to organize, it can feel like they’re taking on a powerful employer by themselves. Showing up matters. We want these workers to see that CSEA members are with them, and we’re going to keep showing up.”
Brooks’ involvement reflects the role member activists play in organizing campaigns. They draw on their own union experience, build connections among workers and show what solidarity looks like in practice. Whether attending meetings, joining rallies or, in Brooks’ case, leading the chants and providing energy, activists help sustain momentum in the campaign.
“We have a supermajority of workers who signed union cards. We want to move forward, but instead, taxpayer money is being spent on lawyers and unnecessary legal delays,” said Matthew Benton, a security guard. “BHA needs to stop wasting money fighting us and recognize what its workers have already made clear.”
The fight continues
The organizing campaign remains ongoing, with an initial conference before the New York State Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) scheduled for mid-November. Workers and CSEA supporters say BHA leadership should voluntarily recognize the union rather than continue a costly fight.
“Our coworkers are united, and we are determined to win our CSEA union,” said Shawn Marshall, an account clerk. “Instead of wasting time and taxpayer money fighting us, BHA should recognize our union and let us get to work making things better for employees and residents.”
“BHA workers have made their choice, and they deserve to have that choice respected,” said Brooks. “We’re going to keep showing up for them. They have a right to organize, they deserve a voice, and CSEA will stand with them.”
— Nicholas Newcomb
