Public Employee Press

Political Action 2005
E-911 Operator enjoys her leisure

Police Communications Technician Linda Thomas spent the last days of July counting down to Aug. 1 — her retirement day. She is just one of many recent beneficiaries of the DC 37-sponsored 911 pension bill. The legislation, enacted in October 2003, lets PCTs and Supervising PCTs retire after 25 years of service with full pensions, regardless of their age.

Lenora Gates, executive vice president of Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549, noted that extensive lobbying by members made the difference as the bill passed in both houses of the Legislature. “Enacting this bill took many years, but our members are tenacious activists who never lost sight of what they wanted,” she said. Gates also gave credit to the “tremendous commitment and skill” of the DC 37 Political Action Dept. and the Executive Board of the PCT/SPCT chapter.

Her work as a 911 Operator, Radio Dispatcher and 911 trainer provided Linda Thomas with a meaningful way to make a living. After 27 years with the Police Dept., she values the opportunities she had to make a difference in peoples’ lives. “You’re always aware of how serious it is to be a lifeline for the public,” she noted. “Every time you get on the phone is memorable, because you’ve helped someone.”

Hard work rewarded
She looked forward to retirement as a new stage in her life. At the top of her list is spending time with her children, daughter Leiana and son Kabran. “Later on, I’m going to try my hand at being a travel agent. Plus I’ll have the chance to travel. But for now, I’m enjoying my leisure. This is the first summer in over 30 years that I haven’t worked,” she said. “I’m very glad that I was able to retire and very grateful to the union.”

She is already missing her co-workers. “Working the way we do, 365 days a year, 24/7, we develop close relationships,” she said. “My co-workers were open and honest and giving people.”

“The PCTs and SPCTs deserve this pension improvement for all the hard work they do on a daily basis and all the stress they endure on the job, handling millions of emergencies each year,” said Assistant Clerical Division Director Ron Arnero. “It’s a great reward for our union members who provide an invaluable service to the people of New York City.”

— Jane LaTour