Public Employee Press

New staff to improve services for members

Promotions and a handful of new hires in the last year have added to the arsenal of talent DC 37 deploys to provide services for union members.

Janine Thomas served for 19 years as a Local 1549 shop steward at Precinct 42 in the Bronx, became a grievance rep in the Clerical Division and has now moved up to council rep in the Hospitals Division. A mother of two teenagers, Thomas enjoys the educational aspects of her new job. “It’s always interesting to fill the members in on what the union has to offer,” she said.

Erica Vargas came to DC 37 in 2001 as a clerical worker in the Political Action Dept., where she studied the political process. She has now been promoted to political and legislative analyst, which lets her use her skills on a wide range of issues that are critical to members’ lives. “It’s not enough to say ‘The union is supporting a candidate.’ You have to explain why,” she said.

Leo Morris moved from his position as a Claims Examiner at the Health and Security Plan to a job as a political and legislative aide. The Bronx native majored in political science at Hampton University in Virginia and particularly enjoys the grassroots aspects of his work. “It’s an endless discussion that involves people’s different ideologies and perspectives,” he said. “It’s exciting to know that your work can impact the lives of thousands of members.”

Susan Tindall started 2008 with a new job as a principal program coordinator for DC 37’s Safety and Health Dept. She brings an extensive background in education and training to the union, including stints at the DC 37 Education Fund and the DC 37-Cornell Trade Union Women’s program. Born and raised on the Lower East Side, Tindall graduated from Long Island University. Her job responsibilities put her in a position to helpDC 37’s members protect themselves from on-the-job hazards. “The job lets me use a lot of what I know,” she said.

The DC 37 Legal Dept. has two new assistant general counsels.

Jesse Gribben worked as a union organizer for 1199 SEIU and graduated from CUNY Law School in 2004. He came to DC 37, first in the MELS housing unit, and has now moved to the Legal Dept.

“I like helping members stay in their homes, and I enjoy playing even a small role in the union’s agenda of improving the lives of our members,” he said. Gribben has two daughters, Maya, 4, and Sophia, 2, enjoys spending time with his wife, Esperanza, and family, and roots for the Mets.

Brooklyn native Cynthia Hernandez graduated from New York Law School and worked for the Human Resources Administration before coming to DC 37. Hernandez is enjoying the variety of cases she has handled at the union. In addition to the law, she is an avid swimmer and loves to travel. Last stop on her itinerary? Egypt.