CSEA's Donohue Gains New Term;

Top Officers Unopposed
CSEA's Donohue Gains New Term


Danny Donohue, the president of the Civil Service Employees Association, and his entire slate Feb. 14 were re-elected unopposed for new four-year terms.

DANNY DONOHUE: 'Facing great challenges.'

Mr. Donohue, who may seek to run for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees International President in August, has led the state's largest public-employee union since 1994.

'Never Been Stronger'

"CSEA has never been better or stronger but the challenges we face as a union have never been greater," Mr. Donohue said. "CSEA will mark its 100th anniversary in 2010 and my priority is to make this union the strongest it can be to start our second century."

In January, CSEA members resoundingly ratified a contract that will provide 13-percent raises over four years and double the location pay for workers assigned to the downstate region, with 29,755 for and 1,839 against.

Along with Mr. Donohue, incumbent Mary E. Sullivan of Herkimer will begin her fifth term in office as executive vice president on March 1, 2008. The rest of the officers on Mr. Donohue's slate are Treasurer Joe McMullen and Secretary Denise Berkley.

Long Island Region President Nicholas LaMorte of Miller Place, Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio of Staten Island, and Western Region President Flo Tripi of Rochester were also unchallenged for re-election.

Riccaldo Gains Office

In CSEA's Southern Region covering the lower Hudson Valley, William "Billy" Riccaldo was elected region president in a race that was uncontested following the January death of incumbent Diane Hewitt.

In the Capital Region, incumbent Kathy Garrison was returned to office for a third term after turning back a challenge from Michael Geraghty, a CSEA local officer from the Office of Children and Family Services. Ms. Garrison was first elected region president in 2000.

Mr. Donohue also serves as an AFSCME International Vice President and the Vice President of the New York State AFL-CIO. His new term as CSEA president runs through Feb. 29, 2012.