CELEBRATION, SOLIDARITY AND POLITICAL ACTION TAKE CENTER STAGE AT ANNUAL DELEGATES MEETING


















Over a thousand CSEA delegates from Niagara Falls to Montauk Point gathered at the state capital's Empire State Plaza Convention Center where it all began nearly 100 years ago.  Photo by Ove Overmyer

Albany, N.Y.-- CSEA held its Annual Delegates Meeting in Albany this week. Over a thousand delegates were in attendance as the union celebrated its 100th anniversary. If there was an overarching theme for this year's convention, it would be that members need to understand our history in order to become effective agents of change for their own respective local communities.  Delegates must take what they have learned and share this information with their workplace to pave the way to local empowerment.  Click here for a photo gallery of the six day event.

Opening ceremonies include a "Parade of Counties"

The opening ceremonies included a "Parade of Counties" presentation by CSEA staff, several multimedia presentations and a theatrical presentation of CSEA leaders and members through history. Singing the national anthem was Kelsey Hidde, 14-year-old daughter of Montgomery County Local activist Fred Hidde.


left to right:  Gerald Jennings, Flo Tripi, Danny Donohue
and Sheldon Silver.  Photo by Ove Overmyer

















Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver presented CSEA President Danny Donohue with a legislative proclamation honoring the union's 100 years. "One hundred years of leadership; a century of standing up for working men and women and ensuring them prosperity," Silver said. "That's a record to be proud of and it deserves respect."

Albany Mayor Gerald Jennings welcomed delegates to the area and gave CSEA President Danny Donohue a key to the city. U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko urged members to stand up for candidates who support working families, including State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

DiNapoli vowed his continued support for working men and women and pledged to protect the state pension system.  He added, "I support a defined benefit pension plan.  A defined benefit pension is still the most efficient way to protect our pensions." Go here to visit Tom DiNapoli's campaign website.

Another highlight of the week was a Monday lecture by well-known labor author and educator Bill Fletcher, Jr..  Fletcher serves as director of the American Federation of Government Employees' Field Services and Education Department.  He urged CSEA delegates to take the lead in fighting back against anti-worker interests in a plenary session titled, "You Make Labor History Everyday."

"We are in a fight - the fight of our lives," Fletcher said. "We must be prepared to fight back. We need positive action and we need it now."

Several CSEA awards were also presented at Thursday's session; Local 828 member wins first annual Excelsior Award

Local 828 member Judy Young
 accepts the Excelsior Award. 
Photo by Ove Overmyer

CSEA and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association presented the first annual Excelsior Award to Local 828 member Judy Young, a bus driver at the East Rochester School District.

"I'm really overwhelmed and humbled by this award," Young said. "We must support our students and athletes - it's so important."

The award recognizes a CSEA member who has helped promote and foster athletic spirit in their local school district and show extraordinary dedication and support of high school athletics.

Several PEOPLE awards were also presented on Thursday. The PEOPLE Recruiter of the Year is Mary Jo Tubbs, who is employed at the Livingston County Department of Social Services in the Western Region. She recruited 113 new PEOPLE members at the MVP level. The PEOPLE Retiree Recruiter of the Year is Michael Flaherty of the Rochester Retirees Local in the Western Region. He recruited 89 new PEOPLE members.

The Nadra Floyd Award, which honors members who have made an extraordinary contribution to the growth of CSEA's membership, was presented to Joe Kelly, president of the SUNY Canton Local, and to the Metropolitan Region Member Organizing Committee for their respective efforts to help workers form a union with CSEA.

At the closing session, delegates viewed a video address by former President Bill Clinton. Clinton stated, “That through these times we need to stay together and remain active. He urged all attendees to get out and vote.”

Delegates celebrate on the convention floor.

Photo by Ove Overmyer