Editor’s Note: During the recent CSEA’s Women’s Conference, several union activists told stories of their union journey during the plenary “Our Voice, Our Power” sessions.
Giambra
CSEA Rochester Retirees Local President Bernadette Giambra comes from a family of strong union women.
Her grandmother had worked in the textile factories, and her mother, Concetta Giambra, was among those who signed in 1950 CSEA’s first charter in Monroe County.
“My mother proudly told me when I was little that she had signed papers to get Social Security,” said Giambra. “She proudly said that she was retired longer than she worked.”
Giambra herself was a Monroe County probation officer and CSEA activist for more than 30 years.
After retiring, she stayed active in our union. In addition to her local office, she chairs our union’s Retiree Executive Committee and serves on CSEA’s Standing Women’s Committee.
Even as a retiree, Giambra found herself facing battles.
A former Monroe County Executive had used contract language to cut retiree health insurance for workers as they reached Medicare eligibility, despite workers being promised this care.
Giambra worked with CSEA staff and Western Region members to fight back. While they ultimately lost the lengthy battle, she noted that CSEA retirees did still take action.
“CSEA and other unions got together and ousted that county executive,” said Giambra. “We have a wonderful county executive now. When we get going, we can be very strong.”
Giambra credited former Western Region President Flo Tripi for two of her most important union leadership lessons.
“I learned two things from Flo,” said Giambra. “One, you are never alone and you never go anywhere alone. Two, power is perception and if you are never alone, you have power because people are with you.”
