Public Employee Press

Local 1549 trains activists
Power Packed Politics

By JANE LaTOUR

With millions suffering in the nation's worst economic crisis since the 1930s, political foes are scapegoating public employees and demanding take-backs and cutbacks.

Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549 is organizing members to fight back.

More than 250 of the local's activists and stewards came to the union Saturday, Jan. 29, and joined in a high-powered workshop on the politics of the public sector. Executive Vice President Alma Roper welcomed participants to the session, which Local 1549's 2nd Vice President Ralph Palladino coordinated.

"This is a great turnout," said Local President Eddie Rodriguez. "We're here to get the training to fight back. Together we have the power to stop the lies our enemies are spreading about public sector unions."

Action plan in place

"I feel good because my members are in the house! And our international union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, is in the house!"

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Lee Saunders roused the morning crowd to cheers with a powerful keynote speech. "These are very serious times," he said. "But this is a very good morning, because your local has an action plan, and you know what we have to do to fight nationwide for our 1.6 million members and to shine a light on how this city is squandering money!"

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts focused on the city's $10 billion worth of outside contracts and the $80 million that went up in smoke in the CityTime scandal. "I'm calling for the city's books to be opened," Roberts said. "If you don't think it's important who we elect, look at OTB - We are fighting in Albany for those members who are out there without jobs, benefits, or pensions."

Sharing fiscal sacrifices

A roundtable discussion on the fiscal crisis featured Saunders, state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, state Sen. Diane Savino, City Council Member Letitia James, DC 37 Political Action Director Wanda Williams and New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness Director Ron Deutsch. Top on the list of alternatives for raising revenue was a tax on the rich. Health & Security Plan Attorney Audrey Browne gave a presentation on the cost and politics of prescription drugs. Participants in what was the first training held as part of AFSCME's battle plan, "Stop the Lies," got into the act with an interactive workshop on the challenges of getting Local 1549 members, their families, and their communities involved in winning the fight.

"I'm getting a real education here," said Clerical Associate III Rhonda Myers, who works at the Segundo Belvis Ruiz Diagnostic Treatment Center in the Bronx. "We have to educate our members about all the positive things that the union is doing."