By MOLLY CHARBONEAU

On June 7, the City Council approved a $39.6 billion budget that will keep HHC-operated clinics open, restore library and museum funding, and provide money to hire additional school crossing guards and pest control workers.

The new budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 also scuttled funding for privatizing some public schools, which DC 37 and other unions oppose.

But the financial plan fell short of stemming a steady reduction in full-time civilian positions citywide, and it included tax cuts that pave the way for future municipal deficits.

“This year’s budget debate was more about the size and scope of tax reductions than on restoring funds for personnel and services,” said DC 37 Administrator Lee Saunders. “In this context, gaining additional funds to save the HHC-operated clinics and to hire more School Crossing Guards this summer was a clear victory for the union.”

During the budget deliberations, DC 37 and Hospital Workers Local 420 formed an alliance with the Commission on the Public’s Health System and other community groups. Together, they waged a successful battle to keep HHC-run community- and school-based clinics open.

Budget battle fought in streets
In a campaign that began with a huge Local 420 rally in Harlem against feared layoffs, the union petitioned around the city, testified at budget hearings, attended meetings and supported community protests to defend the clinics.

In the tense last-minute budget negotiations, the City Council insisted on funding for the clinics (see page 7). The final budget not only saved the clinics, but also for the first time put in place a quarterly review of HHC finances by the City Council and the mayor to assess whether additional monies are needed.

The union was also successful in lobbying for funding that will double the number of School Crossing Guards on duty outside public schools this summer.

To help school food employees, additional money was included in the capital budget for the Board of Education to try to cool sweltering kitchens during the summer school lunch program.

DC 37 also helped win additional personnel for the Dept. of Health’s pest control efforts, which are especially needed in light of the continuing danger of the West Nile virus (see page 13).

Funds for museums, libraries
More than $56 million in projected cuts to the city’s libraries and cultural institutions was restored. This will provide much-needed funding for the New York, Brooklyn and Queens library systems, as well as the city’s museums, botanical gardens and other cultural institutions.

Funding was also restored or added to the budgets of a number of other city agencies and programs, including the City University of New York, the Dept. of the Aging, several Dept. of Health initiatives, and the Parks Dept. (see box at left).

Mayor Rudolph Giuliani’s original tax-cut proposal was pared down by the City Council. However, the tax reduction that was approved — $520 million in fiscal year 2002, growing to $747 million by FY 2005 — is still substantial enough to limit funds available for city programs and to create possible deficits in future budgets.

City Council cooperation
“The union is never happy with tax cuts that reduce services to New York City residents,” said Mike Keogh, associate director of DC 37’s Political Action and Legislation Dept. “Fortunately, the City Council was able to restore some of the proposed cuts.”

DC 37 Deputy Administrator Eliot Seide told the Executive Board June 13 that the gains the union won “were the result of a tremendous team effort involving DC 37 and the locals affected by particular areas of the budget.” In addition, he said, “We got excellent cooperation from the City Council.”

Union victories in fiscal plan

• Libraries: Over $45.8 million restored citywide.
  
  
• Culturals: $10.4 million restored to city-funded institutions.
  
  
• CUNY: $8 million restored for scholarships and services.
  
  
• Police: $1 million added for summer School Crossing Guards.
  
  
• Aging: A total of $3.5 million provided for Social Workers.
  
  
• Health: $5 million for a new infant mortality initiative, $5 million for HIV/AIDS prevention and education, $250,000 for more pest control personnel, and $3 million to expand HHC prescription services.
  
  
• Clinics: $2.1 million restored and $1.5 million added to keep HHC-run clinics open.
  
  
• HHC: A new quarterly City Council/mayoral review of HHC funding needs.
  
  
• Parks: Cuts restored and funds added for maintenance.