Public Employee Press

Crespo now prez of Local 372

Santos Crespo took the oath of office March 24 as the new president of Local 372's 26,000 school employees. Formerly executive vice president, he replaces the recently retired Veronica Montgomery-Costa.

The new president has over three decades of experience in the labor movement. In 1975, he played a key role in organizing substance abuse counselors into Local 372. He also joined in the organizing drive that helped the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees win collective bargaining rights for public employees in Puerto Rico.

A Vietnam veteran and Bronx native, he helped establish and currently chairs the DC 37 Latino Heritage Committee and served for six years as president of the New York chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.

Crespo has served on state and local task forces on substance abuse among adolescents, including the White House Conference on Drugs. In 2009, Congressman Edolphus Town honored the veteran activist as a "visionary leader in labor."

Glen Blacks, a Loader and Handler for over 15 years, is the local's new Executive Vice President. Blacks was secretary-treasurer from 2005-2011 and a trustee from 1999 to 2005.

Cynthia Dowdy, a Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialist for over 30 years, is the new secretary-treasurer. A dedicated community and union activist, the Brooklyn native chaired the SAPIS chapter for six years.