CSEA Executive Vice President Jarvis T. Brown represented our union at a recent press conference at which speakers from other unions, civic organizations and elected officials shared the many reasons Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is not fit to serve as New York governor.
“It is no secret that CSEA went to battle with Blakeman when Local 830 members’ health care was on the line,” said Brown.
Brown shared his experiences dealing with Blakeman while Brown was administrator for our union’s Nassau County Local, including Blakeman’s attempt to move 5,000 CSEA members and retirees away from a contractually negotiated health care plan to a high-deductible alternative. The plan would have denied coverage for life saving health care, including cancer treatment, on Long Island, where breast cancer rates are higher than state and national averages.
“If Bruce Blakeman is willing to place the high cost of health insurance on the backs of CSEA retirees and active members — among the lowest-paid Nassau County workers who keep this county running every day — there is no reason to believe he would treat workers across the state any differently,” said Brown.
Brown also informed the crowd about Blakeman’s suggestion that CSEA members pay more than 30% of their health care premiums and Blakeman’s neglect of Long Island’s only safety-net hospital, Nassau University Medical Center. To date, Blakeman has yet to appoint four trustees to the Nassau Health Care Corporation Board of Directors, which are important decision-making positions for the hospital.
“Ultimately, it was Governor Kathy Hochul who invested millions of dollars into NUMC and helped stabilize its leadership so the hospital can serve future generations,” said Brown.
These failures, along with a long list of others, show that Blakeman has not demonstrated the competence to be an effective leader. CSEA has no choice but to warn New Yorkers about “the cost of Blakeman” and to support Hochul’s re-election campaign.
“Governor Hochul has consistently worked with CSEA, not against us,” said Brown. “She has stood with workers by protecting jobs and partnering with civil service to recruit and retain the workforce needed to deliver critical services.”
— Wendi Bowie
