Public Employee Press

Building a stronger union
A better New York for all

Three hundred Local 1549 activists geared up to fight back against politicians' attacks on working people and public service unions. They participated enthusiastically in the local's political action training conference at DC 37 on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez and Executive Vice President Alma Roper opened the program, which encouraged the activists to organize members and the community for action on key issues in New York City and State. New York is the only one of the battleground states targeted by DC 37's parent union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, with a Democratic governor.

Rodriguez issued a call to action: "You are the army - you know we're being attacked."

"This is a very serious moment for the union. AFSCME is not only a voice for the members, but a voice for all workers," said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts.

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Lee Saunders described the challenges facing the union, from attacks on collective bargaining in the Midwest and threats to voting rights in the South to the assault on pensions in New York. "I need you with me every step of the way," he told the activists, "to stop Governor Cuomo from balancing his budget on the backs of public-sector workers and retirees."

AFSCME videos brought the fights in Ohio and Wisconsin into the room, and DC 37 Associate Director Henry Garrido moderated a panel of fightback experts. AFSCME's New York Political Director Brian McDonnell called Cuomo's Tier 6 pension proposal "an all-out assault on retirement security."

"People are tired of Cuomonomics," said Ron Deutsch of New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness. "We need a state budget that works for the 99 percent."

One member's conference evaluation said, "We are not alone - it does take a village or a union to win this fight." Another appreciated "the information on the 1 percent getting richer while the 99 percent make less and less." Local 1549 2nd Vice President Ralph Palladino coordinated the conference.

— Jane LaTour