CSEA VISITS COUNTY LAWMAKERS; ASK FOR A FAIR CONTRACT

Staff and members of CSEA gather outside the Monroe County Legislative chambers on December 14.  WNY Region 6 president Flo Tripi and Local 828 officers accepted a proclamation from county lawmakers on behalf of 300,000 municipal workers who are represented by CSEA. 

(photo by Robert Leonard)  

Rochester, N.Y.--  Despite the winter snow storm that crushed area commuters last night, members of CSEA braved the elements and attended the Monroe County Legislature meeting on Tuesday evening at the Monroe County Office Building, at 39 West Main Street in downtown Rochester.

CSEA was recognized by the legislature for 100 years of service to our state. Monroe County Local 828, which was chartered in 1950 and boasts nearly 3,500 members, was also recognized for 60 years of service to our local community.

At a public forum before the general session, CSEA members from Unit 7400, the Monroe County Employees and the Monroe County Part Time Unit 7401, asked the legislators to assist CSEA in getting a fair contract. Thousands of employees of Monroe County have been working without a contract for nearly two years.

Several CSEA members spoke directly to the legislature outlining the important contributions Monroe County employees make to maintain a high quality of life here in Monroe County.  Western New York Region 6 President, Flo Tripi, thanked the lawmakers for the proclamation and called upon the legislature to get involved in the current contract dispute to help work toward a final resolution.

Here is a full text of Flo Tripi's speech before the Monroe County Legislature:

Honorable Legislators:

I am Flo Tripi, President of CSEA’s Western Region.  I would like to thank you for the proclamation earlier tonight recognizing CSEA’s 100th anniversary. You have recognized our importance, our strength, and our dedication to public service. You have honored our past, and wished us well for the future. We hope that CSEA and the Monroe County Legislature can continue to work well together in the years to come. Even more importantly, we hope we can count on you to work with us right now as we continue to pursue a contract that is fair and respectful, and that recognizes the importance of the work we do.

Almost every Monroe County resident would agree that the services we provide are an important addition to the outstanding quality of life in this county. Legislators, wouldn’t you also agree that “Monroe County Works Because We Work?” Take a look at the men and women here tonight wearing the yellow shirts. They are the backbone of this county. They work tirelessly every day for the good of all. They provide essential services to residents of Monroe County every single hour of every single day.

Young or old; city, suburban or rural; we are there when you need us.  Today alone, our members worked to protect children and the elderly from abuse and neglect. We worked to keep criminals off the streets and to monitor those sentenced to probation.

We provided mental health care to those in need and protected crime victims.  Today, we also made sure the water from your tap is clean and healthy. We made sure restaurants safely prepared your food and that the scales in grocery stores weighed your purchases accurately.

We helped residents register their vehicles, and access vital records.  Today, we helped families receive the help they need to heat their homes, to put nutritious food on their tables, and to acquire medical coverage.

This is just the beginning. There is so much more that hard-working, dedicated CSEA members do, every single day, to protect and serve.

But, honorable legislators, it is important to note that these same hard-working, dedicated CSEA Monroe County Unit members have been working without a contract for almost two years.

We know you agree that our work is important and essential. We know you agree that the work we do makes Monroe County a better place. We know you agree that Monroe County Works Because We Work.

We know you agree that after almost two years, CSEA members need a fair contract. A contract that recognizes the importance of the work we do. A contract that treats the workforce with dignity and respect. We ask that you join us in our effort to negotiate that fair contract.

Legislators, you count on US to provide essential services. Now we need to be able to count on YOU to do whatever you can to help us. Tonight you recognized our history, our strength and our dedication to public service. Tonight, we hope that you will also commit to helping us reach a fair agreement with the county. I am asking you to get involved. I am asking you to work with us toward a resolution.

Two years is far too long to go without a contract.

Thank you for your time, and we look forward to working with you in the future.

Flo Tripi
President, CSEA Region 6

CSEA receives proclamation from the Monroe County Legislature for 100 dedicated years of service to our state and local community.  Pictured are left to right:  Don Wallace, Hon. Edward O'Brien, Sue Newman, Ove Overmyer, Hon. Harry Bronson, Flo Tripi (center), Cris Zaffuto, Bess Watts, Robert Leonard and Hon. Carrie Andrews.  (photo by Stefan Fleming)

To see a slideshow of last night's meeting, you can go here.