Federation of Social Workers
“Member of the Month”
Since 2018, the Federation of Social Workers has sponsored a program which recognizes a “Member of the Month”. This FSW member is honored for his or her outstanding contributions of service to the entire community.
There will be a “Member of the Month” recognized every month, year around. If you would like to nominate a FSW Member who has done exceptional professional, volunteer, or other community service, please fill out this nomination form.
Click Here for the Nomination Form
Each month’s honoree will receive a $100 gift card to the restaurant of their choice, courtesy of the Retirees Council of the FSW, Modica Law Firm and Edge Advertising Group.
Our honoree for January 2023 is Christina Sydor. Please click below to learn more about her valuable contribution of service to the community.
Member of the Month
Congratulations, Christina!
There will be a “Member of the Month” recognized every month, year around. If you would like to nominate a FSW Member who has done exceptional professional, volunteer, or other community service, please fill out this nomination form.
Click Here for the Nomination Form
Each month’s honoree will receive a $100 gift card to the restaurant of their choice, courtesy of the Retirees Council of the FSW, Modica Law Firm and Edge Advertising Group.
Our honoree for January 2023 is Christina Sydor. Please click below to learn more about her valuable contribution of service to the community.
Member of the Month
Congratulations, Christina!
Christina Christman honored with the 2022 Jim Schmidt Community Solidarity Award!
Congratulations to Federation of Social Workers president Christina Christman on being honored with the 2022 Jim Schmidt Community Solidarity Award! The Rochester Area Labor Council
recognized Christina for her tireless efforts in support of countless union events and activities throughout the year.
FSW Donation for the Alyssa's Angels Holday Gift Project 2022
We were proud to partner with Alyssa's Angels Rochester for their annual Holiday Gift Project. Together, we donated $1000 to the Agape Haven of Abundance Inc.! Left to right: FSW president Christina Christman,
Agape director Julia Oakley and John Rabish of Alyssa’s Angels.
FSW Union Review
2022 HUMAN SERVICE AWARDS
Announcement of the honorees at this year's Human Service Worker of the Year Awards luncheon!
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, our annual awards luncheon will return on Thursday, November 3rd at the Floreano Riverside Convention Center. The public is invited
to join us as we recognize individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions of service to the local community.
Information regarding registration to attend and/or sponsor the event can be accessed using the links below.
The Federation of Social Workers is proud to announce this year’s honorees:
Information regarding registration to attend and/or sponsor the event can be accessed using the links below.
The Federation of Social Workers is proud to announce this year’s honorees:
- Special Recognition Award For Extraordinary Human Service
RPD Officers Anthony Mazurkiewicz and Sino Seng - Human Service Worker of the Year (Public Sector)
Carol Garrett MCDHS - Human Service Worker of the Year (Private Sector)
Clay Harris Uniting & Healing Through Hope - John Seebach Volunteer of the Year (Co-honorees)
Christine Castranova House of Mercy
Larry Morales Sr. RCSD - Corporate Contributor of the Year
Laborers Local No. 435 - Non-Profit Organization of the Year (Co-honorees)
Embrace Your Sisters
Recovery All Ways - Bertina Forde Rising Star Award
Morgan Salisbury MCDHS - Human Service Courage Award
Tyler Mirra and Matthew Cooper - Human Service Lifetime Achievement Award
Sister Grace Miller House of Mercy
Federation Members Celebrate Labor Day 2022
2022 Scholarship Winners Announced
The Federation of Social Workers is proud to announce that the 2022 winners of the Ed Grabowski/Dina Finn Memorial Scholarships, are Iyanna Voltaire and Anson Butler!
Iyanna is the daughter of FSW member Natasha Voltaire. She graduated from Odyssey Academy in June and will be attending SUNY Brockport in the fall. Iyanna wants to become a dance teacher and a studio owner.
Anson Butler is the son of FSW member John Butler. He graduated from Brighton High School in June and will be attending SUNY Geneseo this fall. Anson is planning on pursuing a career in teaching or in government service.
We wish both Iyanna and Anson great academic and career success in the future!
Iyanna is the daughter of FSW member Natasha Voltaire. She graduated from Odyssey Academy in June and will be attending SUNY Brockport in the fall. Iyanna wants to become a dance teacher and a studio owner.
Anson Butler is the son of FSW member John Butler. He graduated from Brighton High School in June and will be attending SUNY Geneseo this fall. Anson is planning on pursuing a career in teaching or in government service.
We wish both Iyanna and Anson great academic and career success in the future!
2022 Federation of Social Workers Golf Tournament!
Our 17th annual golf tournament was a tremendous success. We are very grateful for the fantastic support we received from
the players, sponsors, prize contributors and volunteers. Special thanks also to the staff at Wild Wood Country Club and our MC Steve Hausmann.
Federation Supports Energy Democracy Campaign!
FSW voted to endorse the Rochester for Energy Democracy campaign to create a publicly owned and governed utility company in the city of Rochester last year. Over the past month we teamed up with Metro Justice to collect signatures for the City to fund and facilitate a feasibility study at several area events.
Attorneys in Monroe County Public Defender's Office want to unionize
The Federation of Social Workers strongly supports the efforts of the attorneys in the Public Defender’s Office to unionize!
FSW members and retirees are committed to feeding our community.
We recently volunteered in the kitchen at a local motel temporarily housing county residents with no place to stay, the majority of which are children. The kitchen is 100% grassroots and volunteer run. They serve hot meals prepared by the community and pack bags for the children's lunches the next day. To volunteer by preparing a meal or serving, join Meals for the Homeless at https://www.facebook.com/groups/351197560176136. We also created an Amazon wishlist for the group here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1HOH0JLSTSYKU?ref_=wl_share .
March 29th Rally
FSW members braved the cold on Tuesday March 29th to hold a Lunchtime Rally in support of the submitted proposal to raise wages
A Sea of FSW Balloons
A sea of FSW balloons rising over cubicles showcased solidarity on the day the FSW Negotiating team met with County officials to discuss a raise
Swearing in of New FSW Vice President
President Christina Christman swearing in new VP LaWanda Shipman
March 24th Rally
On March 24th, FSW members held a lunchtime rally outside of the Monroe County Department of Human Services offices on Westfall Rd. The rally was in support of the union's proposal to raise wages in order to better attract and retain staff. The current high vacancy rates in almost all areas of operations are negatively impacting the delivery of service to those in need in our community
Shipman Wins FSW Runoff Election!
Please join us in congratulating LaWanda Shipman, who has just been elected to be the new Vice President of the Federation of Social Workers.
FSW Election Results
The Federation of Social Workers is pleased to announce the winners of Thurdsay, March 10th 2022 election:
Steward at St. Paul Street: Lauren DelVecchio
Thank you to all members who cast their ballots in this important election, and congratulations to Lauren!
Steward at St. Paul Street: Lauren DelVecchio
Thank you to all members who cast their ballots in this important election, and congratulations to Lauren!
Swearing in of New FSW Steward
Grievance Co-Chair LaTonya Wilcox swearing in New FSW Steward Lauren DelVecchio
Swearing in of New FSW Committee Chairs
FSW President Christina Christman swears in Carolyn Carrol (center) as our new Political Action Chair and Deborah Jackson (on left) as our new Committee on Civil Rights & Equity Chair.
Thank you both for your commitment of further service to our union!
Thank you both for your commitment of further service to our union!
The Federation of Social Workers Mourns This Senseless and Tragic Loss
FSW President Honored By Rochester Area Labor Council
FSW President Christina Christman was honored with the Mother Jones Award at the annual Labor Council Delegates Dinner on November 30, 2021. This award is given each year to an exceptional union
leader for courage and sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty. Christina Christman attends every union meeting and event, and has been a great force in political action in recent years.
Her efforts to support every union cause has benefited all working families. Congratulations on this prestigious award, Christina!
2021 Holiday Gift Project
Once again this year, the Federation of Social Workers partnered with Alyssa’s Angel in their annual Holiday Gift Project. FSW president Christina Christman (on left) and John Rabish of Alyssa’s Angels (on right)
presented a check to the Director of Saint Peter’s Kitchen, Patty Lorenzen.
We appreciate all that they do to help those in need in our community!
We appreciate all that they do to help those in need in our community!
FSW Solidarity with CHS Workers on Strike
A delegation of FSW workers drove to Buffalo during the weekend of October 1st-4th to support Catholic Health Workers on strike.
Federation of Social Workers Rally To Speak Out!
On October 12, union members from Monroe County Federation of Social Workers (IUE-CWA 81381) took the streets in downtown Rochester to remind lawmakers and the community about the virtue and
value of their work. While some members stayed on the street hoisting rally signs and engaging pedestrians and motorists alike, a majority walked up four floors to the Legislative Chambers and
voiced their contract concerns during the public forum session of the meeting. Here are a few photos from the rally in front of the Monroe County Office Building, 39 W. Main St.
2021 Human Services Worker of the Year Luncheon Canceled
Due to continued safety concerns around the COVID variant and operational uncertainties at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, the Federation of Social Workers has reluctantly decided to cancel
this year's event, which had been scheduled for October 29th. The luncheon has been rescheduled for Thursday, November 3rd, 2022.
2021 FSW Golf Tournament
The 2021 Federation of Social Workers Golf Tournament was held at Wild Wood Country Club on Sunday, September 12th and was greatly enjoyed by everyone who attended. The FSW would like to thank all of our
sponsors, especially our Gold Sponsor, Modica Law Firm, for their tremendous support of this event. Proceeds benefit Alyssa's Angels, Christopher's Challenge and the FSW scholarship fund. We also appreciate
the prize donations and all of the players who came out despite the questionable weather forecast! Fortunately, the weather cooperated!
FSW Donates to Veterans Outreach Center
The Federation of Social Workers made a donation to the Veterans Outreach Center in loving memory of our union sister Heidi Yandricha-Strocko. Heidi was involved with many volunteer FSW projects,
which helped both veterans and the entire Rochester community.
SISTER GRACE MILLER TO RECEIVE HUMAN SERVICE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Executive Board of the Federation of Social Workers is proud to announce that they have selected Sister Grace Miller from the House of Mercy, to receive their 2020 W. Burton Richardson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Details about the award presentation format and venue will be forthcoming.
In a city ranked among the poorest in the nation, The House of Mercy is a vital refuge for people who have nowhere else to turn. It would not exist without the tireless efforts of Sister Grace Miller, the woman some people call “Rochester’s Mother Teresa”. The House of Mercy provides food, clothing, shelter, healthcare services and many other forms of assistance to thousands of extremely poor people in Rochester every year.
Ever since the Civil Rights movement of the 60s, Sister Grace Miller has been a strong voice in our community for the poor, the homeless, people with mental illness who have been abandoned on the streets, people of color, people who face discrimination in housing and employment, and others who have few effective advocates in a world where empathy and compassion are increasingly becoming endangered values. She has been stopping to help people for more than 50 years. She has worked 12,000 long days to help the poor. The last paycheck she took from the mission she founded - was in 1992. She has made the Rochester community a better and more compassionate place.
In a city ranked among the poorest in the nation, The House of Mercy is a vital refuge for people who have nowhere else to turn. It would not exist without the tireless efforts of Sister Grace Miller, the woman some people call “Rochester’s Mother Teresa”. The House of Mercy provides food, clothing, shelter, healthcare services and many other forms of assistance to thousands of extremely poor people in Rochester every year.
Ever since the Civil Rights movement of the 60s, Sister Grace Miller has been a strong voice in our community for the poor, the homeless, people with mental illness who have been abandoned on the streets, people of color, people who face discrimination in housing and employment, and others who have few effective advocates in a world where empathy and compassion are increasingly becoming endangered values. She has been stopping to help people for more than 50 years. She has worked 12,000 long days to help the poor. The last paycheck she took from the mission she founded - was in 1992. She has made the Rochester community a better and more compassionate place.
81381 FSW Member Contact Form
During this time of crisis, it is critical that the union has accurate and up-to-date contact information for ALL FSW members, so we can provide important updates
easily and effectively. Please take a moment to complete this form with your information and encourage your colleagues to do so as well.
Your information will not be shared with anyone or used for anything other than union business.
Your information will not be shared with anyone or used for anything other than union business.
Wear Your RED Shirt on Thursday
Stuck at Home? If you are an FSW member, wear your RED Shirt on Thursday and post it on the FSW Facebook Page. Once you return to work find LaTonya,
Evelyn or Michelle A for your ticket!
Federation of Social Workers 60th Celebration
On January 31, 2020, the Federation of Social Workers held a celebration to mark the union's 60th Anniversary! Attendees
included active and retired members, as well as many past presidents and officers. We are extremely grateful to Modica Law
Firm and the IUE-CWA for their co-sponsorship of this event. Their continued support of the Federation is deeply appreciated!
2019 Human Service Awards Luncheon!
The Federation of Social Workers would like to thank all of our 2019 honorees, sponsors, attendees, nominators and those who supported this year's event in any way.
As in years past, the celebration was an inspirational and memorable experience for everyone.
About The Federation of Social Workers
The Monroe County Federation of Social Workers, IUE-CWA Local 81381, is the oldest public sector social worker union in the United States of America. During our more than fifty years of existence we have provided diligent representation to our membership, which now includes more than nine hundred employees of the County of Monroe in upstate New York.
Our members are dedicated human service professionals who are both caring and committed to the entire community. Their tireless efforts at their jobs, and also as volunteers supporting many local charities, have improved the quality of life for everyone in Monroe County.
FSW Updates
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Read up on the Union Review the official publication of the Federation of Social Worker’s IUE-CWA 81381
Union Review
