By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

Six hundred union members set DC 37's political agenda to protect the economic future of municipal employees and their families at the 26th annual Legislative Conference Feb. 2. The conference was held at SEIU Local 32B-J headquarters.

"We have a great opportunity to make things happen," said DC 37 Political Action Committee Chair Donald Afflick, who chaired the all-day session. "DC 37 will play an important part in rebuilding this city. We have a new mayor and a new City Council. DC 37 will keep their feet to the fire on accountability and participation in proposals to rebuild the 16-acre disaster site and revive the local economies of communities throughout the five boroughs."

This year's conference gained greater importance in the aftermath of September 11, the recovery effort and the recession, which have left New York with one of the largest budget gaps in its history. The DC 37 troops mapped their role in the ongoing battle for social and economic justice for the city's working families and hunkered down to brace themselves for tough times ahead.

The mayor's call for 20 percent budget cuts across the board has challenged DC 37 to align with its political allies to protect members' jobs and benefits.

"We have to educate the Mayor and the City Council to understand that DC 37 is New York City," said Dennis Sullivan, director of DC 37's Research and Negotiations Department. "We have to go to Washington and beg for the promised 9-11 relief money that has not yet materialized, because recovery, counter-terrorism and equipping our emergency forces and hospitals to handle disasters are a national responsibility and obligation."

The attendees also celebrated recent legislative victories like full Medicare Part B reimbursement and the pension COLA increase, and praised the no layoff clause in the new contract. For the year to come, local presidents and activists hashed out with the DC 37 Political Action Department a proposed 15-point agenda for city legislation and a 34-point list of stateside proposals.

Many lawmakers and politicians were on hand to thank DC 37 for its support and discuss with members issues ranging from child care subsidies to reinstatement of the commuter tax. In question-and-answer sessions, union members dialogued with labor leaders and politicians about secure pensions and jobs and reminded political allies that DC 37 members keep this city running.

State Assemblyman Scott Stringer, who recently introduced the bill to reinstate the commuter tax, which would bring $600 million to the annual budget, said: "The tax would pay for workers who keep the city clean and safe and leave something for those who protected lives during 9-11. New York took a hit for the rest of the nation. We need to sustain ourselves and recover."

As guest speaker, state Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chair Herman "Denny" Farrell told members his job is to see that no community is excluded from the proposed state budget. He and City Council Speaker A. Gifford Miller urged members to press the governor for increases in education spending and economic development. "We want to pass a budget to help all counties in the state," Ferrell said, "or we won't pass a budget at all."

The afternoon featured keynote speaker Queens Borough President Helen M. Marshall, who led a fight against privatization at CUNY. She urged DC 37 members to be more effective lobbyists and not hold back. When DC 37 members visit Albany, they generally lobby legislators who support the union's agenda but Marshall said: "Go to senators across the hall, too."

"It is vital that our members are fully informed, active participants in every aspect of the political process," Mr. Afflick added. "This conference prepares us to work with the new political leadership to make sure the needs of DC 37 and its members are met."