Public Employee Press

QWL chief retires from the union

Long-time Quality of Work Life Director Linda Feldman enjoyed a warm sendoff from co-workers and friends at her Dec. 13 retirement party - but she doesn't intend to leave the union family anytime soon.

On Jan. 11, Feldman attended her first meeting of DC 37's Retiree Association. "I plan to continue the fight to preserve our benefits," Feldman said, underscoring the gravity of the nationwide assault on public employees' pension and health benefits.

"Many members take their benefits like prescription drugs, eyeglasses and dental care for granted," Feldman said.

"But what we enjoy didn't grow on trees. These benefits were won through negotiations, political action and strikes," she said, recalling the pension battle in the 1970s when the union won health benefits for retirees as traffic was snarled citywide.

Feldman joined the city workforce as a Secretary at the Sanitation Dept. in 1965, served as a shop steward and Local 1549's corresponding secretary, became a Grievance Rep in 1970 and a Council Rep in 1987. She transferred to the Quality of Work Life Dept. in 1991 and became director in 1998.

"Linda is a hard worker, and she put a good face on the union," DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts said at the retirement party.