Peer trainer Higgins wins Noble prize Kenny Higgins, a mechanic at Marcy Correctional Facility, was presented this year’s Charlie A. Noble Award for outstanding achievement as a peer trainer at CSEA’s 6th annual Peer Trainer Refresher in Lake George recently. Based on the idea that no one knows their work site better than those who work there, CSEA’s Peer Trainer Program is a labor-management initiative that allows “I still don’t feel like I’ve done anymore than most of the trainers. We all work really hard.” workers to train their co-workers about on-the-job hazards in many of the more dangerous jobs CSEA members perform, such as road construction and maintenance, confined space entry, emergency response and working with dangerous chemicals. Following an intense week of training by CSEA Occupational Safety and Health Department staff, peer trainers return to their workplaces to schedule and deliver that same training to their co-workers. Higgins singlehandedly built the successful peer trainer program at the Oneida Hub despite many obstacles, including the loss of his co-trainer, who moved to another agency; lack of respiratory protection or lock-out-tag-out. As the Peer Trainer program began to fizzle out in the state Department of Corrections due to retirements, transfers, closures and resistance, Higgins remained a constant and kept safety on the radar in his hub. Since the revitalization of the program last August, Higgins now leads a team of four Peer Trainers in the Oneida hub and still provides site-specific training to his co-workers and works Croci’s service sense runs deep State Sen. Tom Croci may be new to the Senate this year, but he is no stranger to a life in public service. From working his college summers as an Islip town lifeguard, to his service as a Navy officer leading others in Afghanistan, Croci’s experience has defined his sense of duty to his country and his community. He continues that public service by representing New York’s 3rd Senate district. At a recent meeting with CSEA members, Croci said his family directly influenced his dedication to public service. Both his parents were public school teachers and union members, and instilled in him a strong sense of community. “I wanted to serve because of my family and community, so I gravitated toward the military and elected office,” Croci said. a management representative; attempts to sabotage the program; and relocation due to the closure of his facility. Despite all that, Higgins never gave up and made sure he shared everything he learned with his co-workers, whether it was training on confined space entry, Croci’s experience as Islip town supervisor has provided him with the mindset to think locally, even while legislating in Albany. “At the state level, we need to ensure economic development, investment, and that businesses are able to survive, but locally, that we don’t sacrifice our small town quality of life,” he said. With his public service background, Croci understands that a good quality of life is directly related to the services that public employees provide. Serving on the Senate Committee for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, Croci recently addressed the need for increases in infrastructure funding while speaking with CSEA members during budget negotiations. Croci said that $600 million of the recently passed state budget is earmarked to improve with management to strengthen safety policies in his facility and hub. “Kenny’s resilient spirit, work ethic and heart embodies what the Peer Trainer Program is all about,” said CSEA President Danny Donohue. “There is no doubt he has saved many of his co-workers from senseless workplace injuries and he has surely saved a life or two thanks to his perseverance.” Higgins Higgins, who became a peer trainer because he wanted a safer workplace for his co-workers, said he was surprised to receive the award. “I still don’t feel like I’ve done any more than most of the trainers,” he said. “We all work really hard.” State Sen. Tom Croci joins, from left, CSEA Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte, CSEA Political Action Committee Chair Bill Walsh, Suffolk County Retiree Local President Millie Lucas, Croci, Suffolk County Educational Employees Local President Maria Navarro, and CSEA activists Mike Morris, Wally Greene and Ed Gregory. infrastructure on Long Island. “Bridges and roads need treatment right away. Upgrades are needed for aging infrastructure to mitigate damage on the south shore from storms,” he said. Croci emphasized that Long Islanders can expect to see a significant economic impact in the way of new jobs and new businesses in addition to improving our water, sewer, and transportation systems. Croci’s district includes parts of the towns of Brookhaven and Islip. Croci chairs the Senate Committee on Homeland Security, and also serves on the Alcoholism & Drug Abuse; Civil Service & Pensions; Higher Education; Infrastructure & Capital Investment; and Energy committees. 14 The Work Force May 2015
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