New York, NY – Jarvis Brown is President CSEA Region 1 Long Island. While in his initial position as a sanitation worker, he began to exhibit the character and qualities that inform his approach to Labor today. His philosophy was that one must get involved and not stand on the sidelines if you want things to change. His unselfish devotion to improving the lives of members is one of the paramount driving forces to which he has personally devoted his career. He also believes that to triumph, workers must be courageous enough to take on the bosses, in what he describes as an “old school” way.
LaborPress learned more from Brown about how he works to take his members’ benefits to another level, and how he leads by example.
LP: What inspired you to begin your career in the CSEA field?
JB: I was a sanitation worker, and I wanted the opportunity to negotiate the terms and conditions of my employment; I didn’t want other people negotiating my future. I also wanted to help people and provide the support that they may not have been getting in the workplace. I don’t believe you can complain if you are not a part of the process, so I knew that I needed to have a seat at the table.
LP: In CSEA Long Island Region One, what are the titles of the members, and the approximate numbers of each?
JB: CSEA members inhabit over 200 civil service titles across Long Island. We have around 40,000 members.
LP: What has motivated you to work so hard to improve members’ lives and livelihoods?
JB: Everyone needs help at some point. I like seeing the positive return of CSEA’s collective efforts to improve members’ lives through collective bargaining. Because of the high cost of living on Long Island, we have a lot of members working 2 or 3 jobs; when we get to the bargaining table and can negotiate better wages for them, improving their lives and the lives of their families, it gives me the motivation to continue my work.
LP: Are there any particularly interesting details you would like to share regarding your work with the CSEA Long Island Region School Districts Committee?
JB: School district workers across Long Island have been suffering due to health and safety issues and salaries that do not reflect the large contributions of CSEA members at Long Island schools. The School Districts Committee has created an opportunity for CSEA’s school districts workers to come together to discuss creative ways they can combat problems they are facing and to support to each other as they develop better ways to negotiate the terms and conditions of their employment through contract negotiations. Through the committee we’re now seeing more informed school district workers, who can have stronger conversations in both labor/management meetings and at the bargaining table. For example, members have been able to encourage school districts to begin implementing additional safety precautions that will offer our members a more secure working environment. With the knowledge they have acquired at the meetings members have been able to turn some things around in several schools, and right the wrongs that have been left unchecked for years.
LP: How were you able to organize to bring in over 600 new members, and what do you think are your strengths as an organizer?
JB: My leadership slogan is ‘communicate to educate,’ and that’s what I follow when I am organizing. I communicate the many benefits that come along with CSEA membership, such as legal representation, educational discounts, and discounted insurance products. When workers become educated about the benefits and begin to feel empowered knowing they will be gaining thousands of union siblings who will be fighting for them and beside them they want to be a part of the movement.
LP: The story about your actions in taking on a law-busting firm and bringing the 120 SCO Family of Services workers into your union is an example of true courage and determination. What would you say to others who might be in similar situations where contract negotiations are not forthcoming?
JB: I believe we must go back to the old school ways of unionism like marching on the boss. I went to SCO headquarters; I stood in the boss’s face, and I demanded respect for the workers in the facility. I was in their face every chance I got until they realized I wasn’t going anywhere. Union members must develop an ‘by any means necessary’ mentality. You get nothing by being passive; you must be aggressive.
LP: What are, in your view, the CSEA policies and procedures that inform members most about their rights?
JB: CSEA has a constitution and by-laws that informs members of their rights as members.
For his depth and breadth of knowledge and for his strength and courage to fight for the rights of Union members, LaborPress is proud to award Jarvis Brown its 2024 Labor Leadership Award.
