CSEA Centennial book is a must-read for all New Yorkers

ALBANY, NY (06/11/2010)(readMedia)-- CSEA – New York's leading union - has unveiled one of the most significant projects of the union's centennial year. A Century of Service: The Story of CSEA's First 100 Years, a book that chronicles the history of CSEA and growth of New York decade by decade through the 20th century and into the present day, is now available.

It is the story of CSEA, as it has never been told before.

"The history of CSEA is not as well understood or appreciated as it should be…until now," said CSEA President Danny Donohue. "This book is a must-read for CSEA members and every other New Yorker."

The story of CSEA is extraordinary in many ways. It is a story about individuals but it is also a story about collective action – people working together. Most importantly, it is a story about aspiration: From the very start on Oct. 24, 1910, the story of CSEA has been about people wanting to do better and believing it could help make New York a better place. That's still true today.

When CSEA came into existence, America was just becoming a world power; Theodore Roosevelt was the dominant political figure of the time; women did not have the right to vote; people of color were at best second class citizens; cars were just being mass produced and radio broadcasting was in its infancy.

Since then, we have come through two world wars, a Great Depression; Communism rose and fell; endless other wars and conflicts; terrorism; we've endured cycles of boom and bust; social, cultural, sexual and technological revolution. Throughout it all, CSEA has grown, changed, adapted and yet still remained true to its core values.

The coffee table-style book features thousands of photos and other images that complement the historical narrative. It also includes colorful firsthand comments, anecdotes and other perspective from key New Yorkers of significance and scores of CSEA leaders and activists.

CSEA has been working on A Century of Service: The Story of CSEA's First 100 Years for more than 10 years. Initial efforts focused on organizing all of CSEA's historic materials and establishing official archives at the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections & Archives at the University at Albany. The work proceeded with guidance from Grenander's director, Brian Keough, and assistance from graduate students employed by the university's Center for Applied Historical Research under the supervision of Associate Professor of History Ivan Steen.

"This wonderful book would not be possible without the tremendous work done to preserve CSEA's historical records at the University Libraries," said Keough. "CSEA is committed to documenting their long and rich history by supporting the preservation and access to historical records, which is critical to ensuring the survival of New York's heritage from the past century.

"Scholars, teachers, students, and the public can now learn and examine the millions of pages of historical documents and publications, as well as thousands of hours of audio and video that are now accessible in the CSEA archive," Keough said.

"As New York's oldest and largest public employee union, CSEA has played, and continues to play, a major role in New York State's history," Steen said. "A product of years of research, this lavishly illustrated volume documents the one hundred years of CSEA's development from a professional organization to a labor union. This is an important contribution to the history of public sector unionism."

Following the work to preserve and order CSEA's archival material, the union began interviewing key individuals inside and outside the organization about their role in the union's history. Nearly 100 video interviews were conducted and have since been archived at the university and will be soon be available on the Internet. These activities and materials formed the basis for the book, which was put together by the CSEA Communications Department.

The limited edition book can be ordered online through the CSEA e-store. There is a link from the home page of the CSEA website, www.csealocal1000.org. Soft cover editions are $20.99, while hardcover editions are $34.99 plus tax. The prices include shipping and handling. Order yours today while they last!

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Editors please note: Media representatives may request complimentary review copies of the A Century of Service: The Story of CSEA's First 100 Years through the CSEA Communications Department at 518 257-1271.