James Tucciarelli, the president of Sewage Treatment Workers Local 1320, has been appointed to the Judicial Panel of DC 37’s parent union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. “I feel very honored to have been chosen for this position,” said Mr. Tucciarelli.

AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee recommended him for a three-year term in the position, and the national union’s Executive Board approved the appointment on Dec. 5.

“As a panelist, my ultimate duty will be to protect the integrity of the institution and look out for the members’ interests,” said Mr. Tucciarelli.

As a member of the nine-member panel, Mr. Tucciarelli will serve as a hearing officer where union officials are charged with constitutional violations or financial or other improprieties. Another duty will be to uphold or overturn decisions by AFSCME to put locals or councils into trusteeship.

Mr. Tucciarelli, who has served as president of Local 1320 since 1983, assumes the post after serving at the 1998 and 2000 AFSCME conventions on a committee that hears appeals of Judicial Panel decisions. “What’s beautiful about our system is that we have the ability to handle any of our problems internally,” said Mr. Tucciarelli, commenting on AFSCME’s trial procedures. “The union guarantees that allegations will be seriously considered and due process rights of accused individuals will be protected,” he said.

Tucciarelli expressed his appreciation to two previous Judicial Panel members from DC 37 who provided him with insight about his new duties, former President Constance Brown of Local 461, the United Federation of Nurses and Epidemiologists, and Joan Reed, president of New York City College Assistants Local 2054.