FEDERATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS AND CSEA RALLY AT COUNTY OFFICE BLDG

Monroe County Workers Take To The Streets!

photos by Ove Overmyer

Rochester, N.Y.-- On Tuesday, March 9, members of the Federation of Social Workers IUE-CWA Local 81381 and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) joined forces in solidarity to speak truth to power. 

Nearly 130 county workers shouted and carried signs in front of the Monroe County Office Building, telling lawmakers and administrators inside that they want repsect and deserve a resolution to the contract negotiations that have been straining labor/ management relations for more than a year and a half.  Pedestrians and motorists alike clapped and honked in approval to sounds of union chants and jeers.

"This was an opportunity to take our message to the streets in solidarity with our brothers and sisters with the Federation of Social Workers-- we are ready to get this behind us, " said Cris Zaffuto, President for the full time Monroe County Employees Unit.  "We have been working for too long without a contract, and it's important that county adminstrators know the public is 100 % behind the workers," Zaffuto added.

As of March 9, Monroe County workers have been without a contract for 432 days, since December 31, 2008.