Page 11 - Work Force June 2025

12 The Work Force June 2025
“I was 1st vice
president when
the president
stepped down.
I moved up and
I love it. My
favorite part is
connecting with
a lot of people,
knowing they
trust me to get
them the results
they want.”
Roth honored for
advocacy for working
women, families
From left, Monroe County Unit President Holly Roth holds her Irene Carr
Leadership Award at the CSEA's Women's Conference. Congratulating
Roth are Monroe County Local President Michael Irving, CSEA Standing
Women's Committee Chair Faye Wilkie-Fields, CSEA President Mary E.
Sullivan and CSEA Western Region President Steve Healy. (Photo by Wendi
Bowie.)
ROCHESTER — Since becoming
Monroe County Unit President in
2023, Holly Roth has brought a
renewed energy and commitment to
the members she serves.
A longtime county employee
and union activist, Roth has
emerged as a driving force for
member engagement, gender equity,
workplace safety and strong contract
negotiation leadership.
Our union recently
recognized Roth’s
impactful leadership
through the prestigious
Irene Carr Leadership
Award, which honors
CSEA members who take
the lead in advocating
for working women and
families.
Carr, a longtime CSEA
Statewide Secretary, was
known as a “trailblazer.”
She established child
care centers at state
agencies, fought for pay
equity and advocated for
training opportunities
for administrative
employees.
Roth said that receiving the Irene
Carr Award was a deeply personal
moment.
“I was shocked when [CSEA
President] Mary Sullivan called me,”
she said. “It’s nice to be recognized
for what you do. I was elated because
I put so much time and effort into
this. We’re all trying to make a big
impact.”
Roth is following in Carr’s
footsteps, not only carrying on Carr’s
legacy but forging new ground.
Roth’s path to the presidency
began with a sudden shift in unit
leadership.
“I was 1st vice president when
the president stepped down,” said
Roth. “I moved up and I love it. My
favorite part is connecting with a lot
of people, knowing they trust me to
get them the results they want.”
Engaging workers
That trust has only grown as
Roth has prioritized new employee
orientations, something she believes
is fundamental to building a strong
union membership.
“During COVID, the county went
to on-boarding and the
union was only sitting
down with new hires
every three months,”
said Roth. “The Taylor
Law says we have the
right to sit down with
new employees every 30
days, and that’s what I
pushed for.”
Her efforts to reach
under-engaged workers
through “lunch and
learn” events and
workplace visits have
paid off in both visibility
and solidarity.
“It’s tough signing
people up. When people
do, it’s great, but we
have to have a lot of talking points,”
said Roth. “The most rewarding part
is that they trust your judgment. I
use member benefits myself and give
examples of how I’ve saved money.
That makes them realize these are
great benefits.”
Advocating for working people
Roth was also instrumental in
securing four weeks of paid family
leave for Monroe County employees
– a long overdue policy that directly
supports working parents.
“When I had my children, I had
to take [my time] out of my comp
bank,” said Roth. “If something
happens after your leave, you
don’t have any time left. This gives
employees paid time – four weeks –
without using up all their accruals.
It’s especially important for those
having or adopting a child.”
Roth also played a pivotal role in
the recent Monroe County contract
negotiations, which she describes as
both comprehensive and strategic.
“One of the big things we got
was the pay increases, plus over
16 pages of changes,” said Roth.
“We thoroughly went through the
contract, the county would say no to
something, and we’d caucus. I’d go
back and explain what we were really
trying to accomplish, and they’d
change their minds. It was about
adjusting our approach and being
clear.”
Another proud milestone came
just two months into her presidency;
the successful implementation of
a breastfeeding policy for Monroe
County employees.
“We had some locations that
didn’t have designated areas,” said
Roth. “I brought it up to the county
and said we need to look at the
locations of the rooms and make
sure every building has one. At
the Sheriff’s Office, they suggested
employees walk to the Hall of Justice.
By the time they got there and back,
they were gone for over an hour.
It was about making sure there’s a
space in every building.”
As a leader, Roth is known for her
integrity and approachability.
“I’m a very good listener. I don’t
talk over people,” said Roth. “I have
people who call me on a Saturday
or Sunday – I’m their ear, the person
they can vent to.”
Still, she stays realistic with
members.
“I don’t promise them anything,”
said Roth. “I always tell them, ‘We’ll
see what we can do.’”
Roth continues to fiercely defend
workers at Monroe County Hospital,
where she’s worked to reduce or
eliminate excessive penalties. She
partners with CSEA Occupational
Safety and Health Department staff to
tackle on-the-job hazards, including
a carpeting issue that caused injuries
and was corrected within six months
of her raising it.
For Roth, union activism isn’t just
professional – it’s personal.
“My children have been going to
CSEA meetings with me since they
were 3 and 4, so they know about the
union,” said Roth. “That’s what we
want for the younger generation.”
With heart, resolve and an
unwavering commitment to
fairness, Roth is not just building a
stronger unit – she’s reshaping what
leadership looks like for the next
generation of CSEA members.
— Sara McNicholas