Page 12 - Work Force June 2017

Members mobilize workers for our future
SARATOGA SPRINGS — As we gear up to defend our rights, our best resource is you.
We are working to reach out to all of you, one by one, to strengthen our union. Many times, these efforts can start right in your local or unit.
Over the past couple of years, Herkimer County Local leaders have used the grassroots approach to reach out to every member.
Herkimer County
Local President
Beth Hall, along
with CSEA Labor
Relations Specialist
Denise Campbell,
detailed how the
local strengthened
their union during
the “Each One Teach One: Mobilizing Workers Matters” workshop at
our recent Statewide Women’s
Conference.
“Our primary goal was to grow and
improve our membership,” Hall said. Hall and other local officers and activists and union staff turned the
local office into an organization area similar to those used during member engagement visits to plan their strategy and keep track of important information.
The group started by determining whether CSEA-represented workers in the local’s 15 units were full members or agency fee payers. After sorting through the membership list, local officers, activists and CSEA staff “mapped” the local’s work sites. “We had to figure out which members work at what location,” Hall said.
Local officers worked to reach out to them through scheduling training sessions on union leadership skills such as steward, grievance and
discipline and interrogation. They also scheduled monthly 45-minute “lunch and learn” sessions on numerous union-related topics. Hall said the local not only always included guest speakers, but agency fee payers.
“Information is key to converting agency fee payers to members,” Hall said.
Communication is another vital part of engaging our members. Local officers collected personal emails from members and launched a quarterly, online local newsletter.
The Herkimer County Local officers
“It’s nice to see another member talk to us about mobilizing our union.” — Kathi Bayer, Wallkill School District
Hall
Szymura: ‘We’re a team’
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Nearly immediately after Denise Szymura was honored with our union’s Irene Carr Leadership Award, she credited her CSEA sisters and brothers.
“We’re a team, and we all have to work together,” said Szymura, the
Erie County Local president who was honored with the award at our recent Statewide Women’s Conference. “I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for the people I’m surrounded by.”
This desire to work with others
not only defines discussions about Szymura’s award, but her years of service to our union and particularly advancing women and newer activists.
Szymura’s dedication and service are in the spirit of Carr, a CSEA Statewide Secretary for 17 years and a “trailblazer” for what Carr defined as “work and family issues,” traditionally of concern to women.
The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate continuous leadership in fighting for labor rights in the workplace, particularly those that affect women.
Szymura encourages all members to get involved in our union, and points out that it doesn’t have to be political involvement. “There are so
many ways to get involved,” she said, “Contact officers in your union. Let people find out what’s their fit.”.
Erie County Local activist Michele Weaver, who nominated Szymura for the award, credits her as the main reason Weaver got involved in her union.
“[Szymura] is a very big advocate for you,” Weaver said. “She always has your back.”
While Szymura was quick to point to those around her, others were equally quick to recognize her ongoing efforts as the reason for her award.
Szymura routinely makes herself available to her members, on and
off work hours, to answer calls and assist them. “Anytime I’ve needed to contact her, she’s always made herself available, even nights and weekends,” said Weaver.
Szymura is also often directly involved in resolving issues her members have with management.
“She has gone above and beyond the call of duty for her members,” said Western Region President Flo Tripi, who presented the award to Szymura.
One of Szymura’s many accomplishments has been to foster
From left, Western Reguon President Flo Tripi, Erie County Local President and Irene Carr Leadership Award recipient Denise Szymura and CSEA Acting President Mary E. Sullivan.
12 The Work Force
June 2017
the growth of the Erie County Local’s Next Wave Committee, which has developed many new women activists.
Szymura recognizes the importance of this in fostering the next generation of leaders for CSEA. “We embrace them and help them to move forward,” she said.
Szymura also resurrected
her local’s Women’s Committee several years ago, helping lead the committee’s efforts to help people in need in their communities.
Szymura has been representing members since 1996, when she
was appointed as a unit grievance representative. Since then, she has served in many leadership positions in the Erie County Unit and Local before assuming her current position as local president.
Szymura maintained a humble approach to her accomplishments. “I just come to work every day and do my job, and just try to make sure the members are treated fairly,” she said. “I’ll continue to do what I come to work to do every day.”
— Mathew Cantore
are also making it a priority to ensure they speak with every member through visiting every CSEA work site, as well as members’ homes. During these visits, the activists are urging members to sign cards pledging to never quit our union.
“You have to put the value [of our union] in real terms,” Hall said. “It’s really important to show our value, especially when you get the question ‘why should I care about CSEA?’”
— Janice Gavin