PEP, May 2008: Leaders trained at natural history museum

You can nominate an EXCEPTIONAL co-worker until May 23 for the 2008 Liberman Public Service Awards given by the 100 Year Association to permanent civil service workers earning $73,000 or less who have improved services for the people of the city.

Write to the Dept. of Citywide Administrative Services, 1 Centre St., Rm. 2130 South, NYC, NY 10007.

Locals 1559 and 1306, which represent members at the American Museum of Natural History, held a five-week training course for their elected leaders and activists with the assistance of the DC 37 White Collar Division and the DC 37 Education Fund.

The sessions, which began Feb. 13 and took place on Wednesday evenings at the museum, presented a variety of subjects essential for the locals’ leaders and shop stewards.

Education Dept. Assistant Director Larry Kelly explained the crucial role of local leadership and stewards in representing the members.
Kelly also reviewed the state’s Taylor Law, the history of DC 37, and the constitutions of the locals and DC 37.

Supervising Social Worker Eric Reid of the DC 37 Personal Services Unit and Dennise Frank, manager of the Health and Security Fund Inquiry Unit, also taught parts of the training sessions. Frank reviewed topics such as disability benefits and changing beneficiaries, and Reid talked about the variety of social services that are available to members through the union and its Health and Security Fund.

“They shared a lot of good information with our members. It was very informative,” said Local 1559 Vice President Craig Chesek.

“We’re planning on inviting them back to general membership meetings in the coming months.” The training program also served as a way of addressing the local’s goal of becoming more active.

“It’s very important that we start getting more members involved in the union,” said Chesek, “especially with the AFSCME convention coming up.”