Editor’s note: Women’s Conference attendees told the following stories during the Sunday plenary program, after they were selected among the stories members told during Saturday breakout sessions of “Our Voice, Our Power.”
Simmons
Before joining our union, Central Region Treasurer Amy Simmons worked at a private sector job with good pay, but limited leave time and retirement benefits.
After a relative advised her to work for St. Lawrence County to get into the New York State and Local Retirement System, Simmons pivoted to her CSEA job, mid-career.
Shortly after she started, she attended a union meeting that centered on our union’s then tentative agreement with the county on a contract.
“I was just mesmerized because where I previously worked, I didn’t get a raise; I worked for a miserable (person) who would give us a raise only if he felt like it,” said Simmons.
That night, she read her current union contract and tentative changes and said she was amazed at the holidays and benefits contained within the contract.
“I think I was the first person who voted on that contract,” said Simmons. “I talked with other people about the contract, and I was new. People don’t realize (how good we have it). I think even now, I forget myself how powerful our contract is. To me, the contract is my bible and I make that very clear.”
When her supervisor at the county asked Simmons to become more involved in our union, she never looked back. Today, she is president of St. Lawrence County Unit and Local, in addition to her region office.
