Candidate for CSEA Local 828 President Bess Watts

Bess Watts
photo:  Lynn Miller

"Bess Watts is a natural born leader. I am very inspired by her organizational skills and her ability to follow through and complete every project she tackles. There is no doubt in my mind we are a better union because of Bess and her hard work."

-Joyce Medwin, Retiree, former President of MCC Unit 7402

In 2008, Bess Watts was the recipient of the Community Solidarity Award presented by the Rochester Labor Council for her “dedication and commitment to all Union members.” A U.S. Army Veteran and 15 year Monroe Community College employee, Bess has been a member of CSEA for 14 years.

Presently, Bess is the chair of CSEA Local 828 Women’s Committee, a delegate to the Rochester Labor Council, Vice President of Unit 7402 and President of Pride at Work AFL-CIO, a constituency group chapter in Rochester, N.Y.

A vocal and visible political activist, Bess has proven successful in coalition building including working with the Faculty Association in the successful bid to stop the flawed MCC Presidential search process. Watts says, “Complacency and the status quo won’t protect our jobs, wages and benefits. We must be proactive, build strong communication loops and empower our members if we want to thrive as working people.”

Bess Watts is the candidate for President of Local 828 on the Voice for the Members Slate.

Introducing T. Judith Johnson

Since 1981, Judy has worked with high risk populations in some of the most challenging positions in Monroe County. Initially a Temporary Assistance Examiner, Judy moved into Child Protective Services and then to the Public Defenders Office where she now works as an Urban Investigator.

Attuned to high stress environments and workplace safety concerns, Judy believes that a union needs to be visible and accessible to members at all times.

Judy says, “What use is a union if you can’t even identify your steward? There are union trainings, benefits and opportunities that members could access if they had the information. We need communication to all levels of the organization.”


Judy is a candidate for 3rd Vice President on the Voice for the Members Slate.

Meet Sue Newman

Employed over 8 years by the Monroe County Department of Motor Vehicles, Sue is currently the section president for the Monroe County Clerk’s Office and 2nd Vice President for Unit 7400. She represents the Voice for the Members Slate as a candidate for the office of Secretary.

She has put the 4½ years of her active union involvement to good use. Sue has participated in steward training, contract negotiations, FMLA workshops, grievance committee work, workplace violence and union counselor trainings. Sue is presently on the Monroe County Workplace Violence Committee as well as the Unit 7400 negotiations team.

Married with one son, Sue is extensively involved at leadership levels with the Boy Scouts of America and carries that code of honor and fairness into the workplace. Lorry Wisse, a City of Rochester Library Clerk and CSEA officer, says "I've know Susan for a very long time. She is honest, hard working and one of the most detailed-oriented people I've ever met. She would make a terrific officer for the Local."

Sue understands that workers have a responsibility to our employers but she adds, "We also deserve fair working conditions and decent pay.”

Are you a member of CSEA Local 828?

On Tuesday June 9, 2,846 members in good standing will be voting for new leadership of the CSEA Monroe County Local 828. If our collective memory serves us correct, this will be the first time in 16 years or so that members will have a choice of who will lead them at the Local level. It is our hope that each member will take the time to review all the information that is provided on this blogspot. We are certain that we have assembled a slate of very hard working, smart, dedicated people to lead us into the future. It is our promise that you will be well served by supporting the Voice for the Members Slate.

If you are a local government employee of one of these following Units, we ask you to look over a sample ballot before Election Day and make your VOTE count. If you can not VOTE at a designated polling site on Tuesday June 9, absentee ballots can be obtained on Wednesday June 3rd, by contacting Election Chairperson Joanne Guarnere, at the Hall of Justice, Room 301-A, 585.753.2910 or by calling the Local 828 office at 328.5250.

The CSEA Units of Monroe County Local 828:

Monroe County Employees #7400
Monroe County Part Time Employees
Monroe Community College #7402
Monroe County Water Authority #7405
City of Rochester Library PT Library Workers #7420
Village of Brockport #7408
Town of Webster #7411
Town of Webster White Collar #7411-02
Town of Greece #7413
Town of Irondequoit Physical Services #7414
Town of Irondequoit White Collar #7414-02
Town of Irondequoit Library Workers
Town of Irondequoit Supervisory #7414-03
Town of Brighton #7415
East Irondequoit School District #7416
Village of Webster #7417
Town of Penfield #7418
East Rochester School District #7419
Village of East Rochester #7422
Monroe County Sherriff Command Unit #7423

Please VOTE for Voice for the Members Slate on June 9!

Zaffuto Wins CSEA Unit 7400 Monroe County Election!

Unit President of the Monroe County Workers 7400, Cris Zaffuto, along with her Members 1st Slate, won their election on May 21 by a 141 to 75 vote margin. The Monroe County Workers 7400 is the largest Unit of Local 828. There are 19 other municipal work Units around Monroe County that are under the Local 828 umbrella.

Zaffuto said, "I'm delighted with the results. Now we can get back to the hard work of representing the best interests of our members."

She added, "We have significant challenges ahead. Our first order of business is ratifying our collective bargaining agreement." Zaffuto encourages all members to visit the Unit's new website for up to date information on negotiations and other union matters.

The newly elected officers will be sworn in before July 1 and will serve a four year term.

The new officers of the CSEA Local 828 Monroe County Unit 7400 are:

President: Cris Zaffuto

1st VP: Holly Gudonis

2nd VP: Anthony Cleggett

3rd VP: Jim D'Amico

Secretary: Roland Gray

Treasurer: Sue Newman