Public Employee Press

Labor Council honors DC37 Prez Veronica Montgomery-Costa

Veronica Montgomery-Costa, president of DC 37 and of Dept. of Education Employees Local 372, received a Distinguished Service Award March 30 at the annual awards reception of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

CLC Secretary Ted Jacobsen introduced Montgomery-Costa to the hundreds of unionists at the gathering as “one of the most outstanding trade unionists in the city.” CLC President Brian M. McLaughlin served as toastmaster for the annual occasion.

Also honored were Frank S. Bail, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Local 1102 of the United Food and Commercial Workers, and James T. Callahan, president of Local 15 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.

In a brief acceptance speech, Montgomery-Costa said, “As trade unionists, we are constantly under the gun in a hostile environment. But it’s all for a good cause, because we represent the working people of the City of New York.”

“Keep on fighting”
In the audience as Montgomery-Costa received the honor were DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, Secretary Cliff Koppelman, Treasurer Maf Misbah Uddin, and many members of the executive boards of DC 37 and Local 372.

Thanking the CLC, she said, “It is a true honor to be recognized by my colleagues in the labor movement for doing our job, which is empowering people who are without power.”

Her conclusion, “Let’s never get discouraged. Let’s keep on fighting,” was met with an extended round of applause.