(GOSHEN, NEW YORK) - Workers employed at the Goshen Public Library and Historical Society in Orange County are some of the newest Members of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA).

After months of mobilization, drawing support from the community and CSEA Members from other Bargaining Units, Library Trustees recently granted the voluntary recognition of the Union that the workers had been seeking.

“We’re excited to move forward with the process and begin contract negotiations,” said Harlene Kresse, an Organizing Committee Member.

Kresse, along with Co-Workers Kitty Ruberte-Smith and Lisa Taylor, began the Union organizing process earlier this year after a change in library management caused Worker morale to plummet and drove a number of long-time employees to leave.

Taylor was already a Member of the CSEA Orange County Unit as a Full-Time Employee in a County Department, but worked part time at the library.

When she returned from CSEA’s Statewide Women’s Conference earlier this year in the Spring, Taylor was motivated to ask Library Colleagues if they would consider Unionizing, it turned out that Ruberte-Smith had been quietly looking into the process of organizing with CSEA. 

Kresse, Ruberte-Smith and Taylor teamed up with CSEA Statewide Organizer Grace Klein to get the organizing process in motion.

Soon, the three Library Workers had collected cards from more than 90% of their Co-Workers indicating their support in forming a Union with CSEA.

“People felt devalued, unappreciated and worried for their jobs,” said Kresse. “I think everybody in the building was trying to figure out what we could do.”

Organizing Committee Members turned out supporters to Library Board Of Trustees meetings, with supporters urging trustees to voluntarily recognize the Union to avoid a costly and drawn-out process.

In addition to the Orange County Unit, there are several other CSEA Bargaining Units in Goshen.

They, along with Activists from other Unions, turned out to meetings to show their support.

Orange County Local President Rosemarie Kukys and Orange County Unit President Denise Fuchs were among those standing with the Workers.

Fuchs also opened the Unit Office to the workers to serve as a home base during the organizing process.

“I was very pleasantly surprised to see the outpouring of support and the good wishes we received,” Ruberte-Smith said. “We can’t wait to start working together as a Union and are hopeful for a very positive outcome with contract negotiations.”

CSEA Southern Region President Anthony Adamo said the organizing campaign reinforced the importance of existing CSEA Members supporting organizing campaigns.

“When Workers find their voices and stand together, knowing we’re standing behind them, they will earn that seat at the table,” Adamo said.

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: Goshen library workers form union with CSEA (cseany.org)