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Public Employee Press
Poltical Action 2005
Power in Albany
Over 800 unionists press DC 37s
agenda at annual Lobby Day
By DIANE S. WILLIAMS
More than 800 DC 37 members went to Albany May 10 to meet with state legislators
in the Senate and the Assembly as part of the unions 2005 annual
Lobby Day.
We are here to lobby for what we need to remain strong, said
DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. She encouraged members saying,
We will survive these difficult times. Weve got to stick together
to maintain what we have.
Although the state budget was passed March 31, on time for the first time
in over two decades, the devil is in the details as legislators see if
the governor signs, or vetoes, the final budget for fiscal year 2006-07.
Union's agenda
DC 37 members packed the state Capitol to make their presence known and
to influence lawmakers for final and favorable commitments on issues
of importance to union members.
Political Action Committee Chair Lenny Allen moderated the mid-morning
event where DC 37 active members and retirees heard from guest speakers
Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver,
Senate Minority Leader David Paterson, Senate Labor Committee Chair George
Maziarz, and Assembly members Peter Abbate, Susan John and Patricia Acampora,
and Sen. Diane Savino, a former DC 37 member.
DC 37 Political Director Wanda Williams outlined
the unions agenda, which included legislation that would:
- Make agency shop permanent
- Prevent workplace violence
- Restore $4.4 million to libraries
- Call for accountability from contractors doing business
with the state
- Create an equal three-part split of proceeds from the
conversion of the Health Insurance Plan of New York into a private entity
and assist welfare funds for city workers
- Add climate control for school cafeterias
- Repeal the Urstadt law giving New York City home rule
over its rent regulations
- Preserve democracy by not enacting electronic voting,
and
- Include numerous pension legislation bills. (See Help
DC 37' fight for pension improvements.)
As an active and voting constituency, DC 37
members let lawmakers know they are counting on them to support bills
that will improve on-the-job dignity for municipal employees and the quality
of life for all New Yorkers.
Were listening, were receptive, were partners
and we want to be supportive, said Bruno at the pre-lobbying rally.
We stand on your shoulders and rely on
your professionalism, Silver said. And while New Yorkers daily grapple
with overcrowded, under-funded public schools, health care and homeland
security concerns, Silver said, The governor and the citys
mayor should deal with the challenges we currently face before taking
on new ones like the West Side Stadium and other nonessential projects.
This election year, hold them accountable.
The full spectrum of DC 37 membership was represented from Accountants
to School Crossing Guards, Laborers to Lab Technicians, local presidents,
executive board members, delegates and retirees.
Local 1407 rank-and-file member Donovan Dillon summed up the day: We
came to Albany today to explain what we face on our jobs and in our communities.
Time will tell. Its up to the legislators to act, but we will be
watching closely.
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