WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Pictured above, Denise Szymura recently retired as President of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Local 815, which represents 5,200 Public Employees across Erie County. A 44-year Member of CSEA, Szymura is being both hailed and praised as an “amazing” Labor Leader who not only fought for the best for her Union’s Membership, but emersed herself in the Western New York Labor Movement with the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation, the Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, the Coalition of Labor Union Women and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists - all roles that also helped support and create solidarity with Workers of all Unions. (WNYLaborToday.com Photos)

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Denise Szymura was never one to seek the spotlight or look for accolades during her 44-year career as a Member of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), including a long-time stint as President of the 5,000-plus Member Local 815 - but on Monday (September 1st) she will be honored for her many accomplishments by leading the annual Buffalo Labor Day Parade as its Grand Marshal.

“‘I’m not one who looks to be honored, but I am absolutely honored,’” Szymura told WNYLaborToday.com during a sit-down interview in her Union’s Headquarters in Suburban Cheektowaga of being chosen to lead this year’s parade in South Buffalo where thousands of Union Members from the Public and Private Sectors, as well as the Building Trades, will march to honor those who came before them and pledge to fight against those powers who are attempting to erode Union and Worker Rights.

“It ‘will be nice to walk - for once, at the head of the parade instead of at the end,’” she joked.

Szymura became a CSEA Union Member 44 years ago (in June 1981) while working in the Erie County Department of Senior Services after management went back on an agreement that would have allowed her to take her scheduled vacation time.

“I thought that ‘maybe I will get involved’ (in the Union),” she said.

In the early 2000s she ran on a slate where all but the candidate for Local 815 President won.

She served as Vice President of the Local, “learning the job from each other (those who were victorious on that slate),” later served under President Joan Bender and then successfully ran for President eight years ago after Bender retired. 

“I ‘really didn’t expect to win,’” said Szymura, who also served for three decades as CSEA Local 815’s Downtown Section President before becoming President of the Local.

As Local 815’s President, Szymura says she is “proud” of the contracts her Union successfully negotiated that benefitted the Membership over the years, especially reaching an agreement with the County after “so many years of ‘working without a new’ contract.”

“‘Unfortunately, we couldn’t get all of the money that was owed to them during all those years, but I had a good group of Officers and Activists (who got the contract done). You know you can’t do it all by yourself,’” she said.

Local 815 represents Members who work in 32 towns, cities, villages and authorities across Erie County, including its Social Services Department, Education, Recreation and Probation, and in Health (at the Erie County Medical Center), to name just a few.

“Over the years, ‘we helped so many of our Members,’” she said. “I spent much of my days ‘like a Social Worker.’ It wasn’t that we would file a grievance ‘immediately’ - I spoke to ‘not only’ the Member, ‘but the Supervisors too.’ ‘There is a fine line and when you are told two different stories, you find the truth somewhere in middle.’ ‘To help them, we have to find the truth.’”

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, many within the County’s Workforce were deemed essential, meaning they had to be out in the public while they worked. Making sure her Members were protected with the correct PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) while on the job was paramount.

“COVID ‘really did a number on everything,’” Szymura said. “Everything was an ‘unknown and we had to go to the extreme.’ ‘We always erred on the side of caution because it wasn’t like every County Employee could work from home.’”

“‘That’s what makes it difficult’ to be a Labor Leader,” she continued. “Management ‘will like you when they want to like you and sometimes they treat you like a bad tooth that they didn’t want to deal with.’ ‘But having a Union in the Public Sector levels the field’ (for Workers). ‘It brings about better wages and you have someone there to represent you when the need arises.’ ‘Sometimes you have to step up and say, no more.’”

Reminiscing on her career, Szymura also talked about being a Female Labor Leader: “‘Sometimes it was difficult.’ At some of the (Employee) disciplinary hearings (Men in) ‘management would turn their noses up at me because I was a Woman.’ ‘But I took no shit from no one.’ ‘What was right was right.’ ‘But now things have changed. We have Women like (National AFL-CIO President) Liz Shuler, (Statewide CSEA President) Mary Sullivan and (WNYALF President) Denise Abbott leading the way. ‘I was fortunate to have Women like (the late CSEA Western Region Director) Flo Tripi and (former Local 815 President) Joan Bender to help me and I learned from them.’ ‘More Women need to get involved because we bring a different perspective.’ ‘Sometimes Men don’t want to listen, but Women - we listen to everyone.’”

And as if her Union alone did not have enough to keep her busy, Szymura - over the course of time, involved herself in the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF), the Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, the Coalition of Labor Union Women and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists - all roles that also helped support and create solidarity with Workers of all Unions.

“You have ‘so many responsibilities’ being part of the CSEA, but there were ‘expectations’ (being a Female Labor Leader) and even though I had a young son (back then), ‘I took him everywhere with me.’ He used to play with his toys under the table where I sat for meetings,” she said.

With such a long career in Organized Labor and having accomplished so much over the course of time, Szymura decided it was time to step down and retired in July knowing that “‘everyone has a shelf life.’”

“There were people here that ‘I could trust,’” she said of her Union’s Officers now running the show. “They’ needed to (take the reins) and be part of the movement, so you have to let go and let other people take on (the responsibilities).’ We (as Labor Leaders) ‘are not entitled to hold the position forever - and I do have a life outside’ my Union. Labor ‘was not my only life.’ ‘But is retirement an adjustment?’ I would say ‘absolutely.’”

Denise’s husband, Steve, serves as Treasurer of Local 815's Erie Unit. He tells WNYLaborToday.com: “I am ‘extremely proud’ of her. ‘She’s the best damn CSEA President - ever!’ ‘She was able to negotiate good contracts for our’ Membership. We will miss her.”

Denise Szymura said she would like to be remembered as one who represented her Members to the best of her ability - and that sentiment was echoed by a number of Labor Leaders WNYLaborToday.com reached out to:

Statewide CSEA President Mary Sullivan: “Denise Szymura embodies the very best of the Labor Movement: Dedication; Compassion; and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of Working People. Her recognition as (the Buffalo Labor Day Parade’s) Grand Marshal is not only a tribute to her decades of service, but also a celebration of the values she has championed for all of CSEA.”

CSEA Western Region President Steve Healy: “Denise’s leadership has made Erie County stronger and safer for Working Families. Honoring her as Labor Day Grand Marshal recognizes a legacy built on service, solidarity and results.”

Local 815 President Bill Wilkinson, who succeeds Szymura: “She ‘dedicated her life to our Union.’ She was a ‘very strong advocate, someone who staunchly fought for every’ Member. ‘Talk about dedication.’ I’ve served as Local (815’s) Executive Vice President for the past eight years under her leadership and she imparted on me to ‘take a deep breath before you respond. Make sure your words are productive.’ As a Woman Labor Leader, ‘I found her to be much more involved in the workforce and just as much a voice for them as any other Male’ Labor Leader. ‘In fact, I think she was even more of a fighter because she felt she had more to prove.’”

CSEA Erie Unit President Michele Bollman (Pictured Below With Szymura), who has known Szymura for 15 years, said: “It’s ‘very hard to sum up Denise in just a few words.’ We had so many conversations and ‘bounced ideas off of each other’ (over the years). And ‘she was always open to taking suggestions, which she always considered.’ ‘That’s a lot of knowledge walking out our door.’ She had ‘such great relationships with so many people, but she wasn’t afraid to call up the County Executive to voice her concerns.’ And I ‘overheard her a few times’ (in less-than-friendly discussions with management). ‘I’ve learned so much from her, including not giving out false’ information. ‘If you’re not sure, find out and find out for sure,’ she would tell me. It’s ‘sad’ she retired, ‘but we are extremely blessed’ (to have had her as Local 815’s President).”

WNYALF President Denise Abbott: “Denise ‘is amazing in so many ways.’ She’s ‘incredible.’ She ‘was always a Woman that I looked up to who strongly led a Public Union and offered such great leadership.’ ‘She was active in so many other’ Labor groups - ‘and we need folks to be more active.’ She was an ‘easy’ choice to make (as the Labor Day Parade’s Grand Marshal) ‘and it’s nice to honor her this way.’ ‘She is well-respected and she has earned this honor.’ ‘We will miss her.’”