BROOKLYN — After 17 years of service at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Dagoberto Flores has earned well-deserved recognition as PEOPLE Recruiter of the Month for October, recruiting 14 new PEOPLE members.
A dedicated housekeeping worker and vice president of CSEA’s SUNY Downstate Local, Flores’ energy, faith and passion for his co-workers have made him a trusted and inspiring union leader.
For Flores, this honor didn’t come easily — it came through persistence, learning and teamwork. He credits his local president, Jonathan Brown, for guiding him along the way.
“He gave me a lot of advice to be better at speaking and getting people involved,” said Flores. “It’s about learning how to talk to people, to help them understand what PEOPLE is all about.”
PEOPLE — Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality — is CSEA and AFSCME’s political action program. The PEOPLE program protects and improves our jobs, benefits and pensions in Washington, Albany and in your community. Your support and participation in PEOPLE strengthens CSEA’s clout in the workplace, in the legislature, in your community and in the labor movement.
Flores knows many members are skeptical at first, but he meets them where they are.
“A lot of people ask, ‘What does PEOPLE do for me?’” said Flores. “I tell them it’s about our future—our families, our children, our pay and our rights. PEOPLE helps us fight for better laws and better working conditions. It’s how we protect everything we’ve won.”
Flores recalls convincing a hesitant co-worker by sharing the program’s history and real impact.
“When people understand that PEOPLE helps make college affordable and supports fair wages, their mentality changes,” he said. “They start to see how we’re stronger together.”
For Flores, this recognition is both humbling and motivating.
“I’m very proud,” he said. “Thank you to the Lord, to President Brown and to everyone who supports this work. I’ll keep doing better and better.”
Flores hopes to expand PEOPLE participation by reaching members in multiple languages and uniting the diverse SUNY Downstate community. With leaders like Flores, that unity is growing every day at SUNY Downstate and across CSEA.
“We have many cultures and many races,” he said. “But when we come together, we are stronger. When we unite, we win.”
— David Galarza