Region 6 President Flo Tripi

There will always be only one Flo Tripi. On July 18th CSEA lost a legend, a real leader and we are all at a loss. Where do we go from here? Well Flo mentored us all so we know the answer: From here we move forward and fight like hell for our Union…for our workers…that is what we can do to honor Flo’s legacy.

Flo was fierce, strong and nobody was taller than her! This mighty woman moved mountains because she believed in her Union and the importance of keeping CSEA strong and vital. CSEA people were family to Flo.

We will miss you Flo – but you will live on in all the leaders and members you’ve mentored and inspired over the years.  Our CSEA family will never be the same, but you will be with us always.  CSEA Local 828 Monroe County is proud to have been the home of the legendary labor leader Flo Tripi - may you rest in peace and power.

More about Flo:

Western Region President Florence “Flo” Tripi had been an active member of CSEA for more than 30 years. Through the years, she has served CSEA in many capacities, including president of the Monroe County Unit representing 3,000 members and first vice president of Monroe County Local 828. Tripi has served on CSEA’s Statewide Board of Directors and she served for 15 years as the Western Region’s vice president, under the leadership of the late Robert L. Lattimer, former Western Region president.

As a region president, Tripi also served as a statewide CSEA vice president. She was vice president of the Western New York Area Labor Federation, the Buffalo Labor Council and the Rochester Vicinity Labor Council, where many battles have been won for those in the labor community.

Tripi was the region’s top CSEA activist, taking on politicians and the toughest governmental and agency administrations across the region and state. She could often be seen at local and unit contract rallies throughout the region, where she always stood up and spoke out for CSEA members. Her energy was contagious, motivating member activists as they fought for fair and just treatment.

Tripi believed CSEA needed to build on the past to strengthen its future. The unity of the members, officers and staff are the winning combination that will move CSEA ahead into the 21st Century. Tripi believed communicating with membership was one of her most important duties. She regularly wrote reports to the CSEA Board of Directors and the region’s leadership and membership. She hosted regional meetings designed to provide local and unit delegates with important information for their grassroots membership. She was responsive and available to every member, as indicated by her constant travel throughout the region’s 14 counties.

Tripi was very supportive of CSEA’s professional staff. She was a leader in bringing staff and membership together for team-building situations, and in building cohesiveness for the everyday battles facing the union. Some of Tripi’s annual events included the Region Golf Tournament to benefit the Sunshine Fund, the Region Sunshine Fund Walkathon, and the region picnic.

Tripi was an active member of the Rochester community, and was a regular attendee of Holy Name of Jesus Church in Rochester, and an avid Yankees fan.

Janus vs AFSCME

This week, the United States Supreme Court overturned over forty years of precedent when it ruled against the union in Janus v AFSCME. The 5-4 decision provided that members of a public sector bargaining unit who choose not to join the union cannot be required to pay a “fair share” or “agency fee” for the costs of collective bargaining. The ruling essentially institutes a nation-wide “Right-to-Work” policy in the public sector.

This case was never anything other than an attack on labor unions and the voice they provide working men and women in the workplace.

CSEA President Danny Donohue said, “This case wasn’t about fairness or free speech. It was a scheme to destroy unions and silence working people. I can tell you right now, it’s not going to work. CSEA has been around for more than 100 years and we’re here to stay.”

CSEA has already begun fighting against these attacks on hardworking union members.

As part of the 2018-19 New York State budget, CSEA worked closely with Governor Cuomo to pass legislation to help fortify unions against this decision. That new law helps protect union members by:

• Providing that public employee unions will not have to provide representation to non-members in any disciplinary cases as well as any legal, economic, or job-related services beyond those provided in the collective bargaining agreement. This will help our union focus our efforts on the members who Never Quit and stay with the union.
• Requiring employers to notify the union when a new employee is hired and allow a union representative to meet with new employees.
• Providing that when a member returns to work after a voluntary or involuntary leave, they will automatically be reinstated as members.

Further, President Donohue stood with Governor Cuomo this week as the Governor signed an Executive Order to protect the personal information of public employees. “When the Governor does the right thing we are more than willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with him,” President Donohue said.

The Governor stood strong with CSEA this week, saying “Let me be very clear: the flame of the labor movement burns stronger than ever here in New York. And so long as I am governor of the State of New York, the labor movement will continue to deliver on the promise of the American Dream.”

The Executive Order will protect State employees against harassment and intimidation from anti-union organizers by prohibiting state agencies from disclosing the private information of public employees, including home address, personal phone numbers, and personal email addresses. The Governor said that he will also advance legislation to provide the same protections to municipal employees.

CSEA will continue to fight against these attacks on our members and everything that we stand for.

Stay union. Stay strong. Never Quit.