(SENECA FALLS, NEW YORK) — After a hard-fought, public pressure Organizing Campaign, 32 Workers from the Town of Seneca Falls have won voluntary Union recognition from the Town Board.

The Workers will now be represented by the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA).

This Union victory was due in part to a record-breaking number of CSEA’s Volunteer Member Organizers (VMOs), who dedicated their time and energy to supporting the TOWN WORKERS.

These individuals played a critical role in guiding the organizing effort, demonstrating solidarity and applying strategic pressure to Town Officials.

VMOs were also essential in connecting with the Seneca Falls Workers, ensuring they had the support, knowledge and encouragement needed to stay committed to their goal.

CSEA Seneca County Local President Don Black, one of the first Members to engage with the Town Workers when they expressed interest in organizing, said: “I became involved in the organizing of the Town of Seneca Falls when I was alerted by some of the Workers that they were interested in joining a Union. At the start, they were unsure whether to seek out CSEA or another Labor Union such as the Teamsters. What would become the Organizing Committee ultimately decided to go with CSEA.”

With deep ties to the Seneca Falls Community, Black played a unique role in the campaign, working alongside CSEA Organizers to provide guidance and support. “As a Local President, I felt it was my responsibility to help these Workers however I could,” he said.

For Central Region Judiciary Local President Ian Spencer, who is also a VMO, a defining moment came when a Town Worker reached out after a heated board meeting: “I told him it wasn’t going to happen overnight and the ‘little wins’ were extremely important when building towards the ultimate goal. I reminded him that we had to ‘play chess’ and be patient.”

Both Spencer and Black emphasized that the success of the campaign was a collective effort.

“Organizing a Union is not easy. It requires hard work and persistence,” Spencer said. “It was crucial to communicate to (the) Workers they had the strength and power to succeed. As a VMO, I provided encouragement, advice and practical guidance to ensure (the) Workers remained focused on their goal - having their voices heard and securing a better future for themselves and their families.”

With Union recognition secured, the Seneca Falls workers are now focused on securing better pay, benefits and job stability.

Backed by CSEA Leadership and the dedication of VMOs, their pursuit of a fairer workplace is only just beginning.

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Photo Courtesy Of CSEA.