Public Employee Press

Local 768 offers eight-week class on union issues
WORKING CLASS

By ALFREDO ALVARADO

Health Services Employees Local 768 held an eight-week training course for its shop stewards and activists from Sept. 12 through Oct. 30. Local leaders took the initiative and enlisted the staff at the Harry Van Ardsdale Jr. Center for Labor Studies at Empire State College in Manhattan to develop the course.

"There's a lot of hostility right now towards public-sector unions, so it's important that our members realize the importance of their jobs, which make the city run efficiently and provide crucial services," said Local 768 President Fitz Reid. "Public servants are the most powerful and persuasive defenders of good government, and we are on the front line fighting against those who want to deny public workers a voice."

The evening sessions included a variety of essential topics, including public-sector labor law and contract administration, an overview of the New York City budget and how it affects the municipal workforce, and building support among union members. The classes also covered the principles of trade unionism, organizing for change and winning back the public.

The session on the budget featured a presentation by DC 37 Associate Director Henry Garrido. The local's attorney, Stuart Lichten, led the session on labor law.

Dr. Michael Merrill conducted several of the workshops. Merrill is an economic historian and worked at the Meany Center for Labor Studies until he became the dean of the Van Arsdale Center in 2004. "He was excellent," said Michele Wilson, a Respiratory Therapist and vice president of the local. "He really knows how to connect with the students."

Dorca Bethel, a Social Worker 3 and union delegate, was one of the 20 members who completed the course. "They stressed the importance of understanding the consequences of our actions and building a structure at the workplace that is supportive," said Bethel, who would like to take similar classes again. Bethel is also active in her hospital's Joint Labor Management Committee.

Local 768 Executive Vice President Esbeth Bradley found the presentation on the budget helpful. "Henry Garrido did a good job of breaking things down for us," she said. "I liked the presentation on contract law too."

The members' enthusiastic response means that the local will try to organize another course in the near future, said Reid. "The center did a very good job of helping us put this together. We really appreciate their help."