Public Employee Press

Henry Garrido takes charge

On Dec. 31, Henry Garrido took the oath of office as the new executive director of DC 37.

The swearing-in was held at the end of the working day, following the resignation of former executive director Lillian Roberts, who officially announced her retirement at an Executive Board meeting the previous month. Garrido will finish out her term, which concludes this November.

Garrido repeated the oath as DC 37 General Counsel Robin Roach read from the constitution of DC 37's parent union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

In the oath, Garrido pledged to uphold his duties as executive director, fight for a more just society, organize new members and encourage workers to participate in the political process.

After taking the oath, Garrido turned to Roberts, who mentored him over several years, and said, "I thank you so much."

Associate Director Oliver Gray, DC 37 Treasurer Maf Misbah Uddin, Local 1549 Recording Secretary Carmen Flores, Assistant Director Raymond Santander of the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept. and Assistant Director Rudy Orozco of the DC 37 Communications Dept. accompanied Garrido at the ceremony.

"Everyone here knows what Lillian has meant to the union," Garrido said. "You know what Lillian has meant to me. Lillian, I want to tell you we love you. You will always be our executive director."

"I know I am leaving the union in the hands of someone who will move the union forward," Roberts said