Public Employee Press

’Tis the season of solidarity for DC 37

The holiday season was a season of solidarity for DC 37 as activists rallied with other unions facing layoffs and management’s refusal to bargain in good faith.

Battling threats of continuing physician layoffs at Harlem Hospital, community residents and unions demonstrated together Nov. 20 against further staff cuts.

“At District Council 37, we have always acknowledged the importance of quality health care for our members and for the communities where they live and work,” Executive Director Lillian Roberts told protesters at the rally backing members of the Doctors’ Council.

The Health and Hospitals Corp. facility has 400 beds, the nation’s oldest Sickle Cell Center, one of the city’s few specialized Burn Units and brand new state-of-the-art birthing suites, making it among the best-equipped hospitals in the city.

But Columbia University, which employs the hospital’s doctors and has already fired eight of them, plans additional layoffs. “We have to stop Columbia University,” said Ms. Roberts. “We are with you and together we are going to win this fight!”

Columbia has laid off psychiatrists, OB-GYNs and pediatricians and cut the hours of others by half. There is talk of 20 additional layoffs. In another example of labor solidarity, DC 37 took to the streets Dec. 3 to support Local 205 of sister AFSCME District Council 1707. The local’s day care workers have been without a contract since December 2000.

“Are you ready to rumble?” asked DC 1707 Executive Director Raglan George at the City Hall rally. Despite rain and frigid temperatures, DC 37 Associate Director Oliver Gray addressed the rally, demanding that the mayor return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contact. City Council Speaker Gifford Miller and Brooklyn council member Sarah González also joined the 200 protesting workers.