MANHATTAN — The Minority Caucus at our 2026 Annual Delegates Meeting brought members together for an interactive discussion about ensuring all voices are heard at the unit, local, regional and statewide levels.
The caucus was led by CSEA Capital Region President Shana Davis and featured Valone Brown Jr., acting director of field operations at the New York State AFL-CIO.
“The focus of this year’s Minority Caucus was to engage our membership, listen to their experiences, and understand whether they feel that union democracy truly works for all union members in CSEA,” said Davis.
Delegates participated in an exercise in which they moved to different sides of the room to indicate whether they agreed or disagreed with questions about minority representation within our union. This activity highlighted differing perspectives and led to an open discussion.
Davis said the caucus provided an opportunity to address concerns ranging from immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion to barriers that may prevent members from becoming more involved in union activities and leadership.
During the the discussion, delegates shared personal experiences and explored how those concerns could be addressed at the local, regional and statewide levels. Some asked how to make their locals and units more inclusive, while others suggested ways to bring more voices to the table.
“Creating opportunities for these conversations is essential to understanding where we are, recognizing where improvements may be needed, and ensuring that every member feels their voice matters and that union democracy works for everyone in CSEA,” said Davis.
The caucus reinforced the importance of open communication and ensuring all members have opportunities to participate in shaping our union.
— Alexandra Whitbeck
