Public Employee Press

Woodhull Hospital holds labor appreciation luncheon for union members

Union members, the living heart of health care, were honored Sept. 22 at Woodhull Medical and Health Care Center's annual Labor Appreciation Luncheon.

"Because of you, our public hospitals are ranked as some of the best in the country," said Carmen Charles, president of Municipal Hospital Employees Local 420. Charles urged members to become more active in the union. "There are some difficult times ahead for our members and for the city, so we have to fight together to be successful."

Members of Local 420, SSEU Local 371, Health Services Local 768 and Clerical Administrative Employees Local 1549 at the Brooklyn hospital were in a festive mood during the luncheon, and many staffed tables where they passed out free T-shirts, pens and balloons as they enjoyed lunch with their colleagues. Local 371 member and labor chair Martha Bolden helped coordinate the event.

DC 37 Director of Field Operations Barbara Edmonds saluted the members for their exemplary work. "New Yorkers are counting on your dedication now more than ever," she said.

Iris Hernandez, senior vice president for the North Brooklyn Health Care Network, thanked the members for a job well done.