Public Employee Press

New DC 37 hires bolster member services

New staff hires in key positions at DC 37 aim to boost the union's efforts to protect the rights of our members.

Veronica Foley and Jonathan Vandenburgh both join DC 37's Safety and Health Dept. as Principal Program Coordinators.

Currently residing in Brooklyn, Foley earned a master's degree in International Affairs, with a focus on development and labor in Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America, at The New School. Previously, Foley worked with consultants to the United Nations, putting a labor-focused spin on many world issues. She also spent time in Albania helping to establish a public employee agency.

"I believe in the labor movement and after studying development for the last six years, I see labor as a place to begin to build our communities," Foley said. Foley also enjoys cooking and traveling in her free time.

Vandenburgh is originally from Pittsburgh, Pa., where he worked on strategic campaigns for the steelworkers union. He joined New York City labor as an organizer for the Professional Staff Congress, the union that represents more than 25,000 faculty and staff at the City University of New York.

"DC 37 is one of the biggest organizations and being able to join it is a huge opportunity," Vandenburg said.

Vandenburg is currently pursuing a master's in public health with a focus on safety at Hunter College. He and his wife live in Brooklyn with their 3-year-old son, with a baby due in May.

Sylvia Quiñones joins the Professional Division as a council rep. A Bronx native, Quiñones started her career with the Dept. of Employment in 1994. She moved on to work with the Dept. of Youth and Community Development in 2004.

Quiñones was an active member of SSEU Local 371, working as a delegate on location for almost 15 years and serving on the executive board and as a chapter chair. She was also a DC 37 delegate.

"Once I established familiarity with our union rights, I became the voice for many," Quiñones said.

After completing an associate's degree at Borough of Manhattan Community College, Quiñones continued her education at Lehman College, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree.

"Working at DC 37 has been a rewarding opportunity to continue to advocate and encourage members to be proactive," Quiñones said.

— Joseph Lopez