By ALFREDO ALVARADO

Municipal Hospital Employees Local 420 is one of the most militant locals in the labor movement. Wherever its battles have taken place — whether saving hundreds of jobs at the Brooklyn Central Laundry, protecting city hospitals from privatization or marching for civil rights in Washington, D.C. — the Local 420 troops have always been prepared for a fight and their combative spirit has never wavered.

That activist legacy was honored Oct. 1 at a gala affair at Terrace on the Park in Queens as Local 420 celebrated its 50th anniversary.

William Lucy, secretary-treasurer of AFSCME, DC 37’s parent union, addressed
the hundreds of unionists at the historic celebration. He pointed out the significant role the local has played as a training ground for future leaders. “This local has watered the roots of people who have gone on to be great leaders,” he said. “AFSCME is a better union because of Local 420.”

Lee Saunders, executive assistant to AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee, was one of many labor leaders, local presidents, politicians and members who came to pay tribute to the local’s proud history. “It’s been 50 years of service and of commitment to fighting the good fight,” said Mr. Saunders. “We fought to keep the Brooklyn Central Laundry open. We said it will close over our dead bodies — and Brooklyn Central Laundry is open today.”

Started innovative programs
DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts led the organizing drive that in 1965 won official recognition for Local 420 as the union of public hospital workers and of DC 37 as the majority union of city employees. She credited the local with starting several innovative programs. “Our educational programs and the Nurse’s Aide upgrading program were initiated by Local 420,” said Ms. Roberts. “Now we have the best union training programs and the best hospitals in the country, and that’s something I’m very proud of.”

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer also acknowledged the union members for their years of service to city hospitals. “I know the good care that people get in the public hospitals today,” he said.

One of the highlights of the evening was a 30-minute video presentation narrated by actor Ossie Davis and produced by the Labor Research Association. Titled “A Fighting Union: Local 420’s First 50 Years,” it featured past and present local leaders and members, who recalled several major victories in the local’s history, such as the 1970 four-day strike of 15,000 hospital workers to prevent layoffs. “Those who came before us, on whose shoulders we stand today, showed us the way,” said Local 420 President Carmen Charles.

While participants celebrated the past, they were also getting ready for the November presidential elections. “All our gains are threatened by those who would take them away and return us to a time when we had nothing,” warned Ms. Charles. “Their immoral pursuit of a costly and unwinnable war, tax breaks for the rich, and privatization of public resources is bankrupting the country.”

The evening’s keynote speaker was Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile, Al Gore’s presidential campaign manager in 2000. “We have to send George Bush back to Crawford, Texas,” said Ms. Brazile, who acknowledged being born in a public hospital and having many union members in her family. “When Democrats lose, poor people lose. When Democrats lose, working people lose. This union is here because people decided not to give up. And we cannot afford to give up now.”