Ove Overmyer
WNY — After a 24-year affiliation with the Civil Service Employees Association, Western New York Communications Specialist Ove Overmyer is set to retire on October 29, 2021.
Ove Overmyer is an award-winning photojournalist and writer who has promoted the virtue of working people and the value of public service throughout his career.
Before joining the CSEA Communications Department staff in 2015, Overmyer was a CSEA member employed by the City of Rochester and an officer of the union for more than 18 years.
During his time as a member activist and union leader, he was responsible for negotiating several collective bargaining agreements with the City of Rochester, effectively lobbied federal, state and local lawmakers to create better economic and social justice outcomes for working people and authored more than a dozen resolutions passed by the CSEA statewide delegate body. For years, Overmyer held several titles simultaneously, including CSEA Rochester Public Library Unit President, CSEA Monroe County Local Vice President and Monroe County Political Action Chair.
Over the past two decades, Overmyer was a fixture at Western New York union and political events, documenting and defining news of the day. He was also a leading force behind strengthening and bolstering positive labor-management relationships and became a reliable resource for local media networks.
“Ove has been a shining example of union activism throughout his career, and always worked hard to ensure the voices of working people and underserved communities were amplified and heard,” said CSEA Communications Director Mark Kotzin. “His skills with words and photos have been so vital in helping our union deliver our messages, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
His work has been published by many well-respected international media outlets, including PBS Moyers & Co., Steward Update UCS Worker Institute Cornell ILR, CBS News, The Weather Channel, SCI-FY Channel, Associated Press and LOGO-TV.
A farewell event to celebrate his career accomplishments has not been announced. When a date and location is determined, all friends, coworkers and well-wishers are welcome to attend the gathering.
Ove Overmyer Career Highlights:
1997 – Started library career with City of Rochester, NY and joined CSEA
2004-05 — Superstar of Service Award, City of Rochester
2006-11 — Worked as Law Library Clerk, NYS Appellate Division 4th Dept. Law Library
2006 — Appointed President, CSEA City of Rochester Library Workers L828/U7420
2008 – Volunteer of the Year Award (Vinny Cup), Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley
2009 — Elected Vice President and Political Action Chair, CSEA Monroe County Local 828
2010 – Rochester Labor Council, Outstanding Achievement in Political Action
2011 — Author of Best Blog (CSEA Voice Reporter), NYC Metro Labor Communications Council
2012 — Rochester & Finger Lakes Chapter of Pride at Work, True Colors Award
2012 – Rochester Labor Council, Working Families Advocate of the Year Award
2013-14 — Rochester Public Library, Outstanding Public Service Award
2014 — Rochester Labor Council Special Recognition, “Capturing the Labor Movement” Award
2015 – Empire State Pride Agenda Community Champion Award, 2015
2015 – City of Rochester Certificate of Recognition and Community Service Award
2015 – CSEA Statewide Local Government Mission Achievement Award
2015 – Joined CSEA Communications Department staff
2017 – Best News Story / Writing Award, International Labor Communications Association
2018 — Visual Communications / Best Photograph, International Labor Communications Association
2020 – Visual Communications / Best Photograph, International Labor Communications Association
2021- Congresswoman Louise Slaughter Working Families Advocate of the Year Award, Rochester Labor Council
-Mark Kotzin
About CSEA:
The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) is one of the largest and most influential unions in New York and the United States. CSEA represents more than 275,000 members who work for state and local governments, school districts, library systems, childcare, and the private sector. Formed in 1910, CSEA continues to improve the lives of hardworking families by negotiating fair and decent collective bargaining agreements. CSEA is the largest affiliate of our International Union, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). For more information, go to CSEANY.org.
