Thursday, October 23, 2014

CSEA PAC PHONE BANK OPERATION SLATED FOR OCTOBER 28

Attention all CSEA Members! 

Monroe County Local 828 is sponsoring a PAC phone bank operation on Tuesday, October 28. We will be calling fellow members to urge them to get out and vote for labor endorsed candidates on Election Day, November 4. 

Members should arrive at the Satellite Office anytime after 4 pm. Yes, there will be food. For more information, you can call Ove at 585-423-9862. To see a list of Region 6 endorsed candidates, you can go here. To watch a video, you can go here.


Local 828 PAC Phone Banks 
Rochester Satellite Office
3495 Winton Place, Bldg E, Ste. 3
Rochester, N.Y. 14623
(map)
585-272-0800

REGION 6 ENDORSEMENTS 2014

Below is a list of CSEA’s endorsed candidates for the 2014 General Election. Not sure what district you live in? Click here to find out.

REGION 6 CONGRESSIONAL ENDORSEMENTS

DistrictCSEA Endorsed Candidate
CD 23Martha Robertson (D)
CD 24Dan Maffei (D)
CD 25Louise Slaughter (D)
CD 26Brian Higgins (D)
CD 27No endorsement

REGION 6 SENATE ENDORSEMENTS 2014

DistrictCSEA Endorsed Candidate
SD 54Michael Nozzolio (R)
SD 55Ted O'Brien (D)
SD 56Joe Robach (R)
SD 57Catherine Young (R)
SD 58Tom O'Mara (R)
SD 59Pat Gallivan (R)
SD 60Mark Grisanti (R)
SD 61No endorsement
SD 62Rob Ortt (R)
SD 63Tim Kennedy (D)

REGION 6 ASSEMBLY ENDORSEMENTS 2014

DistrictsCSEA Endorsed Candidate
AD 132Phil Palmesano (R)
AD 133No endorsement
AD 134Gary Pudup (D)
AD 135Mark Johns (R)
AD 136Joe Morelle (D)
AD 137No endorsement
AD 138Harry Bronson (D)
AD 139No endorsement
AD 140No endorsement
AD 141Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D)
AD 142No endorsement
AD 143No endorsement
AD 144No endorsement
AD 145No endorsement
AD 146No endorsement
AD 147No endorsement
AD 148No endorsement
AD 149Sean Ryan (D)
AD 150No endorsement

CSEA Interview: Ove Overmyer

OVE OVERMYER RECEIVES MISSION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Ove photo
Photo & story by Lynn Miller
ROCHESTER – Ove Overmyer, president of the CSEA Rochester Public Library Unit, a Monroe County Local officer and a dedicated union and social justice activist, has been awarded the 2014 Local Government Mission Achievement Award. He received the award during the union’s recent Annual Delegates meeting.
“I have to admit that being nominated and selected for this award never crossed my mind,” Overmyer said. “Those of you who know me well understand I am much more suited on the streets raising hell, behind a camera or a keyboard—but like many of you, just seeing my members flourish and succeed at work and in life is truly my just reward.”
Overmyer calls himself an “accidental activist,” becoming involved in CSEA almost two decades ago when he started working at the Rochester Public Library.
“It was a contract issue that personally affected my benefits package that spurred my interest in learning more about worker rights,” Overmyer said. “I found out that there were other folks in my bargaining unit who had the same issue, so I stepped up and joined the negotiations team to define and rectify our terms and conditions of employment. The rest is history, so to speak.”
And what a history it is. Overmyer has dedicated himself to standing up for others and making sure people are heard. It’s his personal mission to speak the truth and give a voice to the average working American.
“I found my true character when I lost myself in the service of others,” he said. “This is who I am—I am CSEA. Through my union work, I found a vehicle to actualize my core beliefs and define my identity. I believe everyone should have the opportunity to create their own destiny for yourself and for your family. If you don’t, someone else will.”
Overmyer’s service extends far beyond CSEA. Through the years he has also worked tirelessly to advocate for the rights of LGBT individuals and the poor. His calendar is full and his efforts are unending.
“I have learned that creating social change requires time, energy, reciprocity and sacrifice,” he said. “I also have to admit part of what motivates me as a working person is fear—fear of not being able to take care of my kids and being one health crisis away from a life of poverty and indignity. Positive change can’t happen unless I completely understand the issues important to the members I serve and represent. To be successful, I must try my best to get them the answers and services they need to improve their quality of life at work and at home. Whatever skills and gifts I possess, I feel compelled to donate them to bigger cause greater than myself.”
In addition to serving as a CSEA Unit President and a Local Vice President, Overmyer is a freelance journalist, a photographer and a member of a community Speakers Bureau. He serves on several community advisory boards and he is also an elected member of the Monroe County Democratic Committee.
“Every election cycle I take a week of personal time during GOTV to attend phone banks and knock on doors in my community to explain to my neighbors and fellow CSEA members why it’s important to have strong public services and a functioning representative government,” Overmyer said. “This truly American experiment called democracy begins and ends with voter participation. We cannot create a more perfect world if people do not vote. We have a great opportunity through the electoral process to build strong communities, civil partnerships, create more spending power for the working class and grow our local economies. To not be part of this process is just unthinkable.”
Although his activism keeps him very busy, Overmyer makes time for those closest to him whenever he can.
“Any free time I have is dedicated to spending quality time with my family: Darnell, Tylynn, Tyrell, Tyriss and Tysen.,” he said. “We love going to movies and to get outdoors— playing basketball, golf and tennis at local parks in Monroe County.”
Read more about the Mission Achievement Award in the November issue of The Work Force newspaper.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

FROM CSEA:

104TH ANNUAL DELEGATES MEETING HONOREES

CSEA wrapped up its 104th Annual Delegates Meeting on Oct. 3, 2014, by presenting the following awards to activists and regions:
ADM_14_0900_edit
Western Region President Flo Tripi, left, and CSEA President Danny Donohue, right, congratulate Western Region activist Ove Overmyer for receiving the 2014 Local Government Mission Achievement Award.
Local Government Mission Achievement Award
Rochester Library worker and CSEA activist Ove Overmyer was presented the 2014 CSEA Local Government Mission Achievement Award at the union’s 104th Annual Delegates Meeting. Donohue said Overmyer was a “textbook example of what an activist should be – informed, engaged and dynamic. He steps up to help address the issues that matter and he is always concerned with sharing information and motivating others to action.”

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Rochester activist Ove Overmyer honored with CSEA Local Government Mission Achievement Award

CSEA activist Ove Overmyer addresses the members of the 104th Annual Delegates Meeting at the New York Hilton Midtown on October 3, 2014 after receiving the CSEA Local Government Mission Achievement Award. Photo courtesy of CSEA, © 2014
Posted by Bess Watts
October 4, 2014

New York, NY-- CSEA Monroe County Local 828 is thrilled to announce that Ove Overmyer received CSEA's highest award, the Local Government Mission Achievement Award. We are so proud of him! Anyone who knows Ove, knows that he is on a mission to create a better world for libraries and workers. Not a day goes by where he doesn't make a difference by his actions and words.

The statewide CSEA Local Government Mission Achievement Award highlights the accomplishments of a member in good standing who goes above and beyond the call of duty. Ove Overmyer has been faithfully serving as Unit President of the City of Rochester Library Workers since 2006 and has served as Vice President of Monroe County Local 828 since first elected to that office in 2009.

Ove serves in a leadership role on many committees throughout the organization. He is the Local 828 Political Action Chair, Local 828 Communications Chair and is WNY Region 6 Technology Chair and a member of the WNY Region 6 Political Action Committee. 

Please read Ove's remarks to the delegate body in New York City:

“First of all, I have to admit that being nominated and selected for this award makes me a little uncomfortable. Those of you who know me well understand I am much more suited behind a camera or a keyboard—but like many of you, just seeing my members flourish and succeed at work and in life is truly my just reward.

Many years ago, I had one of those a-ha moments—an epiphany so to speak. I realized I found my true character when I lost myself in the service of others. This is who I am—I am CSEA.

When I look back on my personal journey, there is a definite common narrative that keeps resurfacing. If my union work has taught me anything, it would be to never forget how to be compassionate, never let your words harm others, to love one another and honor each other’s contributions—be a blessing.

If my union work has taught me anything, let me continue to have the courage to expand my comfort zones, learn from my mistakes and be my authentic self.

I am personally driven by the simple belief that the concept “as is” just won’t do. We all have an obligation to fight for the world “as it should be.” Each of us, no matter or age, background or walk of life, each of us has something to contribute to build strong communities.

I am very honored to receive the CSEA Local Government Mission Achievement Award for 2014. I am also extremely proud to have a career in public service—knowing full well it could not have happened unless my union brothers and sisters were right there by my side. I would also like to give a shout out to all my fellow CSEA library workers throughout New York State—I respect you. I honor you. I love you all. Thank you again for this tremendous honor—it’s deeply appreciated.”

Congratulations Ove, well done!    

Bess Watts
CSEA Monroe County Local 828 President 


Scenes from CSEA 104th ADM 2014