CSEA President Not Seeking Re-Election

According to a report from the Albany Times Union, Civil Service Employees Association President Danny Donohue announced to union staff on Wednesday afternoon at the University Club in Albany that he will not seek re-election. Donohue will serve the remainder of his term which ends in February 2020. Donohue began his career in 1965 as an attendant at Central Islip Psychiatric Center, became the local president in 1975 with a write-in campaign and was elected to his first statewide role in 1988. He has served as president of the union since 1994 and was re-elected to a seventh term in 2016.

Donohue said in a statement:

“From my early days as a truck driver in Long Island, I quickly realized the power we could wield when we work together. I hope you will look back on my leadership and recognize that we worked together to build a better, stronger, more effective union for us all. We have faced some tough challenges, but we have come out even stronger than when I started. I look forward to our next great chapter in CSEA’s history. It has been my honor and pleasure to serve as your President.”

Governor Cuomo said in a statement:

“During 25 years at the helm of the Civil Service Employees Association, Danny Donohue demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his members and the mutual good of the people of the State of New York. It’s no secret Danny and I have not always seen eye-to-eye, but I and others have always had mutual respect for him across the bargaining table. His leadership and integrity have never been in question, and I was proud to work with him to fight the Supreme Court’s Janus decision. I thank him for his service on behalf of the working women and men of this great state and wish him well in his next chapter.”