Public Employee Press

DC 37 celebrates its rich heritage and Black History, part 2
A Night of Unity



By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

IN the spirit of Sankofa, reclaiming the past to move forward, the Black History Committee and Local 372 celebrated African-American culture and the labor movement at Finale Night February 27.

DC 37, the powerhouse of public labor in New York, welcomed Mayor Bill de Blasio, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, AFSCME President Lee Saunders, and over 400 union members, retirees and guests to its closing ceremony.

"Our experience as African Americans is an integral part of labor's history," Saunders said in a rousing call for solidarity as unions come under attack. "Civil rights leaders like Dr. King, A. Phillip Randolph, Bayard Rustin, and Fanny Lou Hamer are part of our heritage. Our fight has always been for economic and social justice, union rights and human rights." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated April 4, 1968, while fighting for AFSCME Sanitation workers in Memphis, Tenn.

Saunders recalled the historic strike called by 20 brave washerwomen in Atlanta, Ga. in 1881. Their fight for self-regulation and higher wages for their back-breaking domestic work nearly shut down that city. In three weeks the 20 organized 3,000 women - blacks and whites - from ages 10 to well past 65, into the Washing Society. "Their work mattered, no matter how menial," Saunders said. "They stuck together, stood up for justice and in the end, they won."

Labor's rich history and strength lay in members who demanded dignity in work and in retirement. But unions are targeted by conservatives who are bent on erasing the American Dream of the middle class by driving down wages and pensions and shutting doors to education and opportunity on future generations.

"Dedicated DC 37 members cleaned up and rebuilt New York City after 9/11, so I deeply resent when Governor Scott Walker compares unions to ISIS and demeans our valuable work," Saunders said. "Free speech, free assembly, our rights to vote and belong to a union are under attack.

"The 1 percent wants more at the 99 percent's sacrifice. We are not afraid to get down and dirty to fight back and expose Walker and others like him," Saunders boomed. "When we fight, we win!"

Finale Night featured special guests and labor's partners Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Heastie, a former Local 1407 member, who are two of the most powerful lawmakers in New York, Public Advocate Letitia James, City Council members and entertainment from dance troupes, singers, and drummers.

"This is certainly a night of unity like no other," said Executive Director Henry Garrido. He welcomed 99-year old Ida Keeling, a Local 1549 Harlem Hospital retiree, and Jean Griffith Sandiford, a Local 371 Community Associate and former Local 372 lunchroom worker. Sandiford's son Michael was killed by a racist mob in Howard Beach, Queens, 28 years ago. Garrido said, "Instead of bitterness and hate, my dear friend Jean turned to a life of service, helping victims of violence."

Additionally, DC 37 locals held cultural events to mark Black heritage. Colorful crowns, toss beads and feathered masks in purple, green and gold adorned members at Local 420's Mardi Gras-themed fete Feb. 19. Local 2627 celebrated with R&B soul singer Local 2627 2nd Vice President Cody Childs and the Soul Legends Band, whose music highlighted songs of liberation and inspiration.

"Our greatest strength is not that we are just the largest municipal labor union with the greatest benefits," Garrido said. "Our strength is in our members and the spirit they show-they are the greatest because despite personal struggles, they go to work every day and serve millions of people who live and work here."