Public Employee Press Political Action 2010
2011 Legistlative Agenda
Members set the course

By ALFREDO ALVARADO

Three hundred activists rose early Saturday morning, Oct. 23 to set the union's city and state political priorities for 2011 at the union's 35th annual Legislative Conference.

"You play a key role in this important process," DC 37 Political Director Wanda Williams told them in her welcoming remarks.

Associate Director Oliver Gray addressed the participants, hitting back at the media for their constant attacks on public sector unions. "It's a lot of nonsense," said Gray about media claims that city employees enjoy lush pensions. "The average pension for a city worker is between $17,000 and $20,000 a year."

Kerri Korpi, Director of Research for DC 37's national union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, warned members of the battles they'll be facing in 2011. "We're going to be under attack next year, but we have to stand tall," said Korpi. "Most of my time will be spent protecting what you have."

Concerned about violence

Richard Brodsky, Chair of the state Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, praised the members for their activism. "You are the shock troops for justice," he said. "You have to continue to mobilize."

City and state legislative proposals were discussed at workshops on education, led by Local 372 Executive Vice President Santos Crespo; retirees issues, led by Retirees President Stu Leibowitz; pensions by Dennis Deahn of the Health and Security Plan; safety and health, led by Safety and Health Director Lee Clarke; and health care, led by Assistant Research and Negotiations Director Moira Dolan.

Conference participants recommended legislative proposals such as ending contracting out in civil service positions, eliminating the one-in-three rule that lets managers pick their favorites among top candidates on civil service lists, and expanding the use of education and experience exams. They also called for requiring that workers who provide substance abuse services in public schools be employed under current standards for non-competitive civil servants.

Concerned about increasing violence at city agencies, the conferees backed a plan to make it a felony to assault public sector workers at the Dept. of Juvenile Justice and the Office of Children and Family Services.

The DC 37 Delegates Council adopted the proposals at its Oct. 26 meeting.