Albany to host CSEA's Centennial Annual Delegates Meeting Oct. 18-22

ALBANY, NY (10/15/2010)(readMedia)-- CSEA - New York's leading union - will mark a century of service to New Yorkers at its 100th Annual Delegates Meeting in Albany Oct. 18-22. Nearly 1,500 delegates, staff and guests will participate in the event which the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates will have a $1.2 million economic impact on the local area.

CSEA was founded on Oct. 24, 1910 in the state Capital when a small group of state employees came together to stand up against political patronage and promote merit and fitness in state employment. It was the first formal organization of state employees. Today CSEA represents nearly 300,000 members in every part of New York in the public and private sector. Earlier this year, CSEA issued a book about the union's history titled "A Century of Service: The Story of CSEA's First 100 Years."

"There is no better place for CSEA to mark our Centennial Anniversary than Albany - the place where our union began in 1910," said CSEA President Danny Donohue. "CSEA is a unique organization because we literally have members who live in every community in New York. CSEA's history over the past 100 years is closely linked with Albany as the site of the state Capitol and so many benchmark events. This is a very special place and our delegates will recognize it as we hold this historic meeting."

On Monday, Oct. 18, the union will open the week's activities with a health fair in the Empire State Plaza concourse. More than 40 organizations and health care providers will host information tables in the concourse, which will be open to the general public.

Later that same day, delegates will participate in a program focused on the future of the labor movement by well-known labor and social justice activist Bill Fletcher, Jr. in the Hart Theatre of The Egg, at 2 p.m. Fletcher is currently the director of Field Services and Education for the American Federation of Government Employees.

On Tuesday, Oct. 19, delegates will participate in a number of community service projects, including an Empire Stroll to raise funds for the CSEA Disaster Relief Fund; hands-on projects at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, the Hudson and Mohawk River Humane Society and the Louise Corning Senior Services Center, in addition to participating in a disaster preparedness program by the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York and a presentation by Special Olympics of New York State.

Wednesday, Oct. 20 will mark a very special program commemorating the CSEA Centennial beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. The program will include an array of multimedia presentations and recognition from a number of elected officials and others. The program will be followed around 3 p.m. by the serving of a commemorative centennial cake baked by Villa Italia Bakery in Schenectady. The cake, which will recognize CSEA's presence across New York, will be on display in the lobby area outside the convention center throughout the day.

Following a business session on Thursday, Oct. 21, the delegates' meeting will conclude with a special program on Friday morning, Oct. 22.

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Media Note: Media wishing to cover the public activities of the CSEA Centennial should check in to receive credentials at Meeting Room 7 outside the convention center or contact CSEA Director of Communications Stephen Madarasz at 518 598-4705.