The Federation of Social Workers Mourns This Senseless and Tragic Loss

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 December 2021 is Todd Ranous. Please click below to learn more about his valuable contribution of service to the community.

Member of the Month

Congratulations, Todd!

2021 Labor Council Delegates Dinner

The Federation of Social Workers was well represented at the annual Labor Council Dinner, which was held on November 30th. They were there in part to show support for FSW president Christina Christman, who was honored with the Mother Jones Award!

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!

FSW Election Results

The official final results of the FSW election are:

➖ President
Christina Christman

➖ Children’s Detention Center Steward
Jamaal Holland

Thank you to all of our members who voted!

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.

New Stewards Being Sworn In!

Grievance Co-Chair Michelle Alaimo (far right) swears in new FSW stewards (from left to right) Curtis Pound, Kylie Ciufo and Deb Jackson. Thank you all for taking these important positions.

2021 Scholarship Winners Announced

The Federation of Social Workers is proud to announce that the 2021 winners of the Ed Grabowski/Dina Finn Memorial Scholarship, are Emanual Anderson and Carina Christman.

Emanual Anderson is a 2021 graduate from Penfield High School and will be attending the Rochester Institute of Technology where he will be majoring in Exploration Engineering. Emanual participated in the Labor Day Parades for numerous years and the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, volunteered during the summer concert, and assisted with mass mailings

He stated, "As a child I learned a lot about unions and their functions from my mother. It was just as normal for her to bring me to her different union events as it was for her to be at all of my sporting events. It was an expectation that the whole family would be involved in the activities.As I started getting older, I developed a deeper understanding that unions were very important. They are able to protect employees from unfair treatment. Unions help to balance the relationship between companies and their employees."

Carina Christman is a School of the Arts graduate. She is attending the Rochester Institute of Technology where she plans to study film production. Carina assisted in babysitting during meetings, set up and cleaning of FSW events and picnics, attended parade walks, participated in endorsement interviews, phone banking, and door knocking, also took pictures for the Christmas party.

She shared, "I want to produce films that inspire women of color and show them the proper, good representation in media that we have been deprived of. We need to work toward a more accurate depiction of the world we live in as well as the future generations to come. I plan on using my knowledge of the labor movement to uplift the voices of minorities in fields dominated by the majority and advocate for a diverse working force in the film industry."

The Federation of Social Workers congratulates Emanual Anderson and Carina Christman on their educational efforts and wishes them success with their future endeavors.

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.

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.

FSW Deeply Appreciates Mask Donations

The members of the Federation of Social Workers are extremely grateful to Sheila Foery and Diane Leas for donating masks to our essential workers. Thank you so much for helping to keep our members safe!

Mask and hand sanitizer donations are still being accepted for workers.
Contact: Christina Christman at c.m.christman@hotmail.com

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.