Public Employee Press

Union staffers promoted to lead three field divisions

Three DC 37 staffers were recently promoted to leadership positions in the Schools, Hospitals and White Collar divisions of DC 37. Marva Lewis Bradford is the new director of the Schools Division, Audrey McConney heads the Hospitals Division and Chris Wilgenkamp is assistant director of the White Collar Division.

Bradford began her career with DC 37 in 1984 as a real estate paralegal with the union’s Municipal Employees Legal Services. In 1991 she was appointed a Council Rep in the Hospitals Division.

As a Council Rep she helped Local 420 members file grievances that resulted in thousands of dollars in retroactive pay. She has also represented members in disciplinary actions, labor management hearings and Community Board meetings.

Bradford is a longstanding member of the DC 37 Black History Committee and the Congress of Black Trade Unionists.

“I want to make sure that members in the Schools Division continue to get the right kind of training so that they know how to defend their rights,” said the new division head. “When they’re treated fairly and with respect by management, they can do a better job in the schools.”

McConney, who replaces the recently retired Johnnie Locus, has been involved in the labor movement since 1971 when she began working with S.E.I.U.and later the Communications Workers of America. In 1997 she came to DC37 as a Council Rep in the Professional Division, where she worked with members of locals 299, 768 1189, 1482, 1321, and 1219.

Years of experience
McConney has been active in the DC 37 Black History Committee and is the former secretary of the Federation of Field Representatives, a union of DC 37 staff members.

“Local 420 members who work in the public hospitals provide a critical service for all New Yorkers and they deserve the best representation possible. I’m looking forward to working together with the members to help protect their rights,” said McConney.

Wilgenkamp, a longtime activist and elected official in New York Zoological Society Local 1501, became a Council Rep in the White Collar Division in 2002. He was recently appointed as assistant division director, where he will be working closely with Division Director Mike Riggio.