A good friend to so many, including myself and thousands of Union-represented Public Workers across Western New York, Buffalo and Rochester - Flo Tripi, who had served as President of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Western Region 6 since 2000, sadly, passed away on Wednesday (July 18th). 

When I found out, a name popped into my head: Madeline Foley, who I remember Flo telling me about during an interview I conducted for WNYLaborToday.com’s Western New York Labor News… NOW! Labor News TV Program back in 2013.  During that interview, Flo filled me in on how she initially got involved in her Statewide Union of 300,000 Members.

Sitting down in Flo’s CSEA Offices in the Buffalo Suburb of Amherst, she told me about Foley, who she said she knew from her days working in the Monroe County Health Department:    

“I was a trouble-shooter in the department.  I was a clerical person, so anybody that needed anything came to the clerk.  This one woman was trying to take some time off.  She was a School Health Employee who only worked ten months and (management) told her she couldn’t have a day off.   She had to go pick up her son who was going to college in Virginia.  She (told management) she had to go pick up her son and told them: ‘I want to let you know that I’m going to be off.  I have to take the day off.’  So, she was off and was killed in an automobile accident coming back from Virginia where her son was going to school.  Her name was Madeline Foley. Her son was named Terry and she had five boys.  (She and her son) were in the car and she was killed.  It was a horrible thing, because I knew her very well.  After the funeral, I got a phone call from her husband (Bob Foley) and he said: ‘I don’t know what to do or who to call.  I just got a call saying she was not going to get any benefits because she was taking an unauthorized day off.’  ‘And I was not even involved in the Union at that point.’  I told him: ‘Bob, I don’t know what to do, but let me find out.’  I started making phone calls and ‘I called everybody almost all the way up to the governor’s office and I could get no answers.’  And then somebody said: ‘Why don’t you call the Union?’  I called CSEA and they gave me an attorney and he said: ‘You give me the name and I’ll give you the number to call.’  ‘And before you knew it, the phone calls started coming to me’ - ‘and all of a sudden’ I got a phone call from Bob Foley saying: ‘Flo, Madeline got her benefits.  Whatever you did, Thank You!’  ‘So people started knowing what I did for her, so anytime anyone had a problem they started coming to me.’  ‘So I said, I’ve got to get involved (in the Union) - that’s all there is to it.’”

So that’s how Flo Tripi, a woman short in stature, but with a heart as big as a mountain, got involved in the Union that represented her and how that blossomed into an amazing and gratifying 50-year career with CSEA where she focused her efforts on representing, standing up and speaking out for more than 45,000 Union-represented Public Workers employed across the Western New York and Rochester Regions.

The CSEA posted this background on Flo:

Florence “Flo” Tripi served as President of CSEA’s Western Region since 2000.  As Region President, Tripi also served as a CSEA Statewide Vice President.  Tripi was active in CSEA for 50 years, beginning her career in 1968.  Throughout her career, she served CSEA in many capacities, including President of the Monroe County Unit - representing 3,000 Members and as First Vice President of Monroe County Local 828.  Flo served nine years as a Member of the Executive Council of the New York State AFL-CIO.  Tripi has served on CSEA’s Statewide Board of Directors since 2000.  She served for 16 years as the Western Region’s Vice President, under the leadership of the late Robert L. Lattimer, former Western Region President.  Tripi served as Vice President of the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation and as a Vice President of the Buffalo AFL-CIO Labor Council and of the Rochester AFL-CIO Labor Council, where many battles have been won for those in the Labor Community.  Tripi was the Western Region’s top CSEA Activist, taking on politicians and the toughest governmental and agency administrations across New York State.  She was regularly seen at Local and Unit Contract Rallies throughout the area, where she spoke out powerfully on behalf of our Working Families.  Her energy was contagious, motivating Member Activists in their quests for fair and just treatment.  Tripi believed the Labor Movement should build on the past to strengthen its future.  She also believed regularly communicating with Membership was one of her most important duties.  She was a polished writer and keynote speaker.  She used these skills to write reports to the CSEA Board of Directors and the Region’s Leadership and Membership, as well as to host Western New York Regional Meetings designed to provide Local and Unit Delegates with important information for their grassroots campaigns.  She had an unparalleled wealth of institutional knowledge.  Four of the most important things in Flo’s life were: Family; Faith; Friends; and Union.  Tripi was an active leader, bringing Staff and Membership and the larger Labor Community together for team-building and cohesiveness for the everyday battles facing the Labor Movement.  Tripi was an avid gardener and a regular attendee of St. Charles Borromeo Church.  She was also a lifelong New York Yankees fan and loved to share her passion for them with anyone she could.

CSEA President Danny Donohue released the following statement:

It is with the deepest sadness CSEA mourns the loss of Florence “Flo” Tripi, President of CSEA’s Western Region.  Flo was active in CSEA for 50 years, serving as a passionate activist and an effective leader.  She held elected office for 18 years as CSEA Western Region President. One of our Union’s strongest advocates, Flo used her voice to make life better in our communities and in our Union.  Flo never backed down, stood tall and never failed to represent our Members with dignity and heart, by whom she was most beloved.  I am personally deeply saddened by this news.  Flo was one of our brightest stars, and a dear, close friend.  Flo was an inspiration to everyone around her.  She was a passionate leader and a powerful force in representing CSEA Members.  Flo began her career with the Monroe County Health Department in 1968.  It did not take long for Flo to find her calling as an activist within CSEA.  In the 70s, she began advocating for other Members and fighting on their behalf, and by the early 80s, she was already serving in leadership positions, including as President of the CSEA Monroe County Unit and Local.  In 2000, she became the CSEA Western Region President.  CSEA will continue to honor Flo’s memory by doing exactly what she did for her entire time with CSEA - fighting for the dignity and respect of our hard-working Members throughout the State.  Flo will be profoundly missed by all around her and our hearts and prayers are with her loved ones during this difficult time.

The Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation released this statement:

Her passing is an enormous loss for the Labor Movement and for all progressive causes.  Known for her steadfast defense of Working People, Flo was a wonderful ally in all these organizations.  She was ever present at rallies, picket lines, in legislatures and Union Halls.  Flo was beloved for her stubborn adherence to principles.  She had a fine sense of humor and made people feel at home in even the most stressful circumstances.  It will take the passage of a great deal of time to understand the impact of this loss.  Our hearts go out to the Tripi Family and to CSEA at this time of sadness and reflection.

Rochester-Genesee Valley AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation President Dan Maloney said:

The Rochester Labor Community and Worker Advocates throughout New York State, mourn the loss of one of our greatest leaders, Flo Tripi.  Her voice and influence as a mighty advocate for Working People is and was far larger than her physical stature.  Flo was a passionate champion that fought to improve the lot of not only her beloved CSEA Membership, but of all Workers. Flo's life work is so deeply woven in the fabric of the Union Movement that she served and built up for decades, that her legacy will live on far into the future.  Flo was a mentor, friend and contemporary to every major Labor Leader in Upstate to the point that her ‘blessing’ was sought before any major Union initiative was undertaken.  Politicians and community leaders, great and small, sought the advice and counsel of Flo Tripi to ensure success of their plans.  The love for her family, both biological and her extended Union Family was profound, and she will be sorely missed.  The biblical passage from 2 Timothy is fitting in regards to our good sister Flo Tripi: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  Now Flo, go in peace and comfort to your well-earned reward.

From the New York State AFL-CIO: It is with great sadness that we share with you the news that Florence “Flo” Tripi passed away.  Flo had been hospitalized in Strong Memorial in Rochester for the past several weeks as the result of a prolonged illness.  Flo served as a Vice President of the New York State AFL-CIO from June 2008 to the present.  She wore many hats within the Labor Movement, including serving as President of the Civil Service Employees Association’s Western Region.  Flo was a powerful advocate for Working Men and Women.  She was extremely active in her Union and was often seen attending rallies, Membership meetings and speaking out on behalf of Working People.  She will be remembered for her love and commitment to her family, faith, friends and her Union.  Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the Tripi family and to her Brothers and Sisters of CSEA at this most difficult time.

You never missed seeing Tripi at numerous rallies and pickets carried out by not only CSEA, but in support of so many other area Unions. 

She continually joked when addressing a Labor gathering after stepping up to the podium and grabbing the microphone: “Can you hear me?  Can you see me?” 

That always drew a good-hearted round of laughter from those in attendance.

But there was no laughing when it came to Tripi’s amazing dedication to the Working Men and Women she represented here in Western New York and across the Rochester Region. 

Never married, Flo’s children were her Members, who she continually met with one-on-one and attended countless Union Meetings, driving hundreds of thousands of miles across the region and always making her way back to her beloved home base in Rochester, no matter how long the drive or weather. 

She was committed. 

That was just the way it was.

I had the grand opportunity of being her friend, in addition to being connected to her through the Labor Movement. 

We had many great conversations in her office and over lunch over the years. 

Her passion for the CSEA was only rivaled by her love for the New York Yankees. 

She annually traveled south to Florida for Yankees Training Camp where she watched her heroes train for another, what she always hoped for, championship season.

But she was always more than proud of CSEA’s more than 45,000 Western New York Region 6 Members, a “cross-section’ of people who work in the Public Sector in cities and towns, for the State of New York, as well as the Union’s Retirees.

She stood up for and defended those who “make New York go” and keep running - in maintenance and custodial positions, Teachers’ Aides, in corrections and direct care and mental hygiene, those who plow roads across the State, those who work in nursing homes and in probation departments. 

They were all her family.

And now her family will miss this small woman who stood so tall when it came to Working People. 

But Flo Tripi leaves behind such a wonderful legacy for anyone in the Labor Movement to emulate.

Her efforts were always appreciated and will hopefully be mirrored by many in the years to come.

Rest in peace Flo and Thank You for all you have done - starting with Madeline Foley.

You will never be forgotten.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: You Can Watch WNYLaborToday.com Editor-Publisher Tom Campbell’s 2013 Western New York Labor News… NOW! Interview With Flo Tripi At: www.wnylabortoday.com/videos/wny-labor-news-now/february-2013-edition-segment-iii/?query=category.eq.WNY%20Labor%20News%20Now&back=Videos