Public Employee Press

50,000 march in labor parade
Proud to be union
Lillian Roberts and DC 37 head labor march

By JANE LaTOUR

In a tradition dating back to 1882, an estimated 50,000 working people marched proudly Sept. 12 in the Labor Day Parade. Members of dozens of unions wore brightly colored T-shirts and carried signs and banners that together delivered a powerful message: Despite the reverses working people have suffered since the 1970s, the labor movement in this union town is still standing and fighting for economic and social justice.

This was a history-making moment: For the first time, the public sector led the march, with DC 37’s 56 locals at the front, and for the first time, an African American woman, DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, was grand marshal.

“I accepted this honor on behalf of our great public service union and our 65th anniversary,” said Roberts, who walked up Fifth Avenue at the side of mayoral candidate Bill Thompson and Central Labor Council President Jack Ahern.

“We were a beautiful sight to see in our green T-shirts, walking, dancing, and singing up Fifth Avenue,” said Roberts.

DC 37 members turned out in record numbers. Locals 461 and 508, the Lifeguards and their Supervisors, were there in strength. “We wouldn’t miss it,” said Lifeguard John Pecoraro. “The union does so much for us and we wanted to give back.”

“We broadcast our support for important issues, like health care reform and the Employee Free Choice Act, as well as the political candidates we are supporting,” said Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez.

The DC 37 contingent marched with four floats, including one celebrating “65 years of public service to New York City,” and another publicizing the union’s candidates in the upcoming election. Working with Political Director Wanda Williams and Program Director Frances Curtis, Field Operations Director Barbara Edmonds coordinated DC 37’s participation in the march.

Saving jobs was a key message of the day. Carmen Ruiz and Lisa Battle, SSEU Local 371 members at the Administration for Children’s Services, were part of a group targeted for layoffs by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “We’re here to save our jobs and our families,” they said in unison.

“I want to see the city stop contracting out our jobs,” said Eric Latson, president of Custodial Assistant Employees Local 1597. “We can do the work.”

As they prepared to drive an FDNY ambulance up Fifth Avenue, Local 2507 members expressed similar thoughts. “We’re here to support the labor movement,” said Emergency Medical Technician Joe Conzo. “A lot of our jobs are being privatized.”

“The labor movement has enabled retirees to live in dignity. Otherwise, many of us would be living in poverty,” said DC 37 Retirees Association President Stuart Leibowitz.”

Jerry D’Agostino, a Dept. of Education plumber in the Civil Service Employees Association, chomped on a cigar and reflected on why he was marching: “We’re all here to support our brothers and sisters, because our middle class is shrinking and it’s harder and harder to support our families,” he said.

Almost 15 million Americans are out of work, and many are making less than they did 10 years ago. Within the last year alone, the median household income of U.S. working families dropped 3.6 percent. The struggle for a decent standard of living, jobs, pensions and a health-care system that works, is critical. A strong, united labor movement is an essential part of this fight.

“In our industry, we’re facing massive layoffs and cutbacks,” said Communications Workers Local 1101 member Pat Gibbons. “But we’re fighting it.”

While 37 percent of public-sector jobs are unionized, only 7.5 percent of private-sector workers enjoy the benefits of union membership (see page 16). The fierce forces aligned against private-sector unions were on the minds of many in the parade. James Berto, a member of District Council 9, has been a painter for 20 years. His wife, Maryann, is a member of Board of Education Employees Local 372. “Right now, we’re losing more than we’re gaining, but union jobs are important and it’s important that unions stay strong,” he said.”