NIAGARA FALLS — Leaders from CSEA’s state, local and the private sector divisions joined together at the 115th Annual Delegates Meeting in Niagara Falls to discuss business and impactful updates within each division.
Focus on safety
In the wake of the tragic death of Westchester County Unit member Maria Coto, Local Government Division members are exploring innovative ways to increase safety measures for field workers across the state. Coto was attacked while on a site visit in May 2024 as a senior caseworker at the county’s Department of Social Services’ Child Protective Services Unit and died of her injuries a month later.
Funding limitations and contractual obligations can prevent counties and municipalities from accessing technology such as departmental radios issued to offices with field workers or SOS ‘panic’ buttons that workers can wear individually. These methods are used in some areas across the state but can be less feasible when emergency technology is contracted out or the cost is too high.
However, there are other, more short-term ways for workers to ensure their safety on the job.
“After what happened in Westchester, one of the committees has mentioned looking into some sort of SOS button for people who are going out into the field that would send a signal to someone to let them know they are in distress,” said Broome County Unit 1st Vice President Michael Woolever,
Woolever, a 911 dispatcher, provided more information on utilizing the SOS feature built into the majority of smartphones. On many modern smartphones, a few clicks of an exterior button can automatically disclose the caller’s location to 911 operators.
Another safety tool is the use of check-in apps, which can send periodic alerts to field workers’ cellphones. If they do not check in during the allotted time — such as hitting a button on their phone — emergency services or appropriate department personnel can be notified.
These methods provide another layer of protection for workers on the job. Our union continues to actively search for more ways to increase workplace safety.
In the past year, CSEA supported Westchester County in expanding the contract for private security to escort workers on a case-by-case basis to client visits.
In Broome County, peace officers are stationed across county facilities to ensure the safety of members and the public.
Local government highlights
CSEA is now a member of the New York Labor Health Care Alliance (NYLHCA), a nonprofit purchasing coalition made up of more than 70 union-sponsored health plans. Local Government and Private Sector Locals now have access to more health care-related benefits, including NYLHCA preferred coalition pricing such as a Pharmacy Benefit Management program administered by Express Scripts.
Members also discussed the impacts of the federal shutdown on local government programs that CSEA members administer. As this edition went to press the shutdown had ended.
Private Sector
SCO Family of Services Local President Sirlentor Berry, who also serves as vice chair of our union’s Private Sector Executive Committee, led the meeting, which began with an update on division elections and recently achieved goals.
The Private Sector Division previously had high rates of administratorship among locals and units. Administratorship can occur when a local or unit fails to elect a president and/or treasurer. Due to ongoing efforts, officers have since been elected to fill key roles and bring many locals and units out of administratorship. During the meeting, leaders also discussed resources for private sector officers and ways to increase member involvement.
State Division
The main topic for the State Division was upcoming contract negotiations with New York state. The negotiations team has been assembled, a survey was conducted and preparations have begun.
Teams consist of appointees from the Administrative Services Unit (ASU), Operational Services Unit (OSU), Institutional Services Unit (ISU) and the Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA) units.
— Alexandra Whitbeck