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
