Public Employee Press

DC 37 celebrates Latino heritage
Labor rights are human rights

By ALFREDO ALVARADO

A veteran labor leader from Colombia, a pair of popular salsa bands from Puerto Rico and a moving tribute to a late, beloved DC 37 staff member were all part of the union’s 14th annual Latino Heritage Celebration.

The theme of the events held in September and October was, “Labor rights are human rights.”

“Your theme is most appropriate during the year of the Immigration Workers Freedom Ride,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, referring to the massive rally for immigration rights that took place
in October at Flushing Meadows Park.

The DC 37 Latino Heritage Committee and Locals 371, 372, 420, 983, 1070 and 1549 all honored the Hispanic heritage of their members with cultural presentations, speakers and food.

“Let us never take our membership in this great union for granted,” said Committee Chair Magda DeJesus, president of Local 1219. “We shall always remember those sisters and brothers who fought so hard for so long to win the rights that we are so privileged to enjoy today.”

The October 17 grand finale, which was co-sponsored by Board of Education Employees Local 372, featured a keynote speech by Jorge Umberto Marin, president of the Association of Public Employees in Medellin, Colombia.

“To be a union leader in Colombia is to be marked for death,” said the labor leader, who has been a public worker for 23 years and has already survived one murder attempt.

Like his American colleagues, Mr. Marin has waged a continual battle against the privatization of public utilities. Unlike their North American counterparts, Colombian labor leaders don’t leave home for work without a bulletproof vest and a pair of bodyguards. According to Amnesty International, last year 180 trade unionists in Colombia were murdered.

At the finale, Magda DeJesus, president of Real Estate Employees Local 1219, presented a contribution of $500 from District Council 37 to the Colombian Solidarity Fund.

“This demonstration of solidarity and support has given us strength,” said the Colombian labor leader, who has also received the support of the AFL-CIO. A moving memorial tribute was also unveiled at the finale in honor of the late DC 37 staffer Mildred Cedeño Herrera.

“Millie will be in our hearts forever,” said José A. Sierra, vice chair of the Latino Heritage Committee and director of DC 37’s Blue Collar Division. “She will always be a shining light.” Ms. Cedeño Herrera was an Assistant Director in the Personal Services Unit from 1990 until her untimely death in 2002.