Public Employee Press

Education Fund administrator bids farewell to DC 37

Friends and family joined union members and staff to bid farewell to Dr. Barbara Kairson at her retirement party on Jan. 28, hosted by her longtime colleagues Viviana Tillman, Stephen Johnson and Patricia Torres.

The outgoing Education Fund administrator began her career at DC 37 in 1983. Kairson previously served as the associate administrator of the Ed Fund.

"She's done so much for this institution," said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. "The lives of our members are better because of Barbara Kairson."

Joining Garrido was the union's treasurer and president of Local 1407, Maf Misbah Uddin. "Barbara was an inspiration to me and to our members," he said.

Local 1549 president and DC 37 president Eddie Rodriguez also acknowledged Kairson's important role in helping to educate the members. "We could always count on Barbara's help when we planned our shop steward training sessions for our members," recalled Rodriguez. "She always did a great job."

"It was an honor to work with such a great staff," said Kairson who was joined by her husband, daughter and grandson.