Public Employee Press

Snapshots

Edited by ALFREDO ALVARADO

Blue Collar Director José Sierra retires

For 36 years José Sierra, director of the DC 37 Blue Collar Division, has distinguished himself by working passionately on behalf of the members in various capacities.

The native New Yorker began his career working at the DC 37 Health and Security Plan's Inquiry Unit in 1979. Two years later, Sierra became a pension counselor and in 1988 he joined the Professional Division, where he represented members as a Council Rep.

He was promoted to the Blue Collar Division as assistant director and was appointed director in 1994. Sierra also coordinated several get-out-the-vote campaigns for presidential campaigns around the country and was a founding member of the DC 37 Latino Heritage Committee.

"I consider it a badge of honor to have worked for this union," Sierra said at his retirement party on Oct. 9. Sierra also thanked the people who mentored him along the way. "Lee Saunders, Lillian Roberts, Stanley Hill, I'm very grateful to all of them and my wife Milagros Rodriguez," he added. "And I could not have worked with a better staff."

The feeling among Sierra's staff was mutual. "Other bosses give orders but José gave us a vision," said Blue Collar Division Council Rep. Yesenia Villanueva.

An avid golfer, Sierra is looking forward to hitting the links at some of his favorite golf courses, like the course at El Conquistador Hotel in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.