GLEN COVE — Many CSEA members live in the communities where they work, which makes for a natural bond with local residents. These relationships can often benefit the greater good of our union members and the community during contract campaigns.
That is exactly what the City of Glen Cove Unit did while they were going through the negotiations process.
Functioning as a wall-to-wall unit with various titles from Emergency Medical Services, to sanitation, grounds, park workers and many more, members work near community members every day. The relationships that members have been forged at work and during their personal time as city residents were highlighted to show CSEA’s presence in the community.
“The first thing we did was talk to residents that we knew personally and asked them to hang CSEA Fair Contract Now signs in the windows of their homes,” said CSEA City of Glen Cove Unit actvist Ralph Comitino. “Everyone agreed to it. Some people also agreed to put a Contract Now lawn sign in front of their home and wear CSEA buttons.”
Comitino also gave out CSEA hats to community members at the city’s most recent St. Patrick’s Day Parade, in which our union marched.
Unit members note they have no ill intent toward the city. During the contract campaign, they never said anything negative about the city administration. The point of their action was to build public support for CSEA.
Noticing the many CSEA signs and pins around the area prompted city residents with whom our union members did not have a personal relationship with to ask if there was something they should know about.
The question served as the perfect opportunity for members to discuss the many jobs and responsibilities of CSEA workers, how those roles help keep the community functioning, and why CSEA members would like community support. In most cases, residents were very supportive and thankful to have more insight about the inner workings of their area.
“Regular, everyday, interactions is how you build relationships and get to know people in your community,” said CSEA City of Glen Cove Labor Foreman and activist Keith Simpson. “You could be getting lunch, buying coffee, or going to your child’s soccer game; every interaction is a chance to build relationships.”
With all of the CSEA collateral being displayed around the city, administration had no choice but to notice public support for CSEA members. To their credit, some members of administration also supported unit members and asked for CSEA collateral.
“We’re outspoken in this unit, but we do it in a smart way,” said Comitino.
When it finally came time to vote for or against the proposed contract, unit members voted in favor of it by a landslide. The contract negotiations committee credit their willingness to keep unit members informed about negotiations, without giving specific details, as meetings with city administration occurred. Sharing updates helped to instill trust with members.
“It’s really helped that we have a unit activist who is available,” said City of Glen Cove Unit member Albi Calderon. “In this unit, every day we talk about union issues.”
City of Glen Cove Unit members say staying united and assembling a diverse contract negotiations committee, representing diverse job titles is key to successfully negotiating a contract.
“You can’t have members making side deals or chatting to administration on the side,” said Simpson. “At the end of the day, you have to stick together and stand united as one.”
— Wendi Bowie
