By LILLIAN ROBERTS
Executive Director
District Council 37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO

The marching, chanting members of District Council?37 who rallied in the rain June 14 against the mayor's destructive layoffs and service cuts had a major impact on the city budget adopted two weeks later.We showed the world that DC 37 members stand up for themselves and stand up for the vital services we provide to the middle class and poor people of our city.

Local leaders and fired-up shop stewards mobilized thousands of members from their work sites, and our ranks included young Next Wavers, retirees and members of every local as we demanded economic justice and a better New York City for all. We had tremendous support from community groups, elected officials and other unions, and AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Lee Saunders addressed the huge throng with me and brought battle-wise rank-and-file leaders from Wisconsin and Indiana.

Just before the final budget negotiations, I hit the radio with a short, tough message to the mayor and the City Council. "Just do your job," I told them. "Cut the tax breaks for big business and the wealthy. Cut wasteful outside contracts, not services to our communities!"

As we fought for jobs and services, we blocked an attempt to dip into our Health Insurance Stabilization Fund to balance the budget. I made it clear that this is not an all-purpose "rainy day" fund, and I am proud to say it is still there to protect members from sudden increases in the cost of health coverage.

We were a magnificent sea of green that no one in City Hall could ignore. Our people power stopped layoffs and protected services. The budget the City Council adopted will keep libraries and swimming pools open in every community, maintain parks and protect children who depend on public employees for their safety.

City revenue must grow
I want to thank every activist and member who played a part in these great achievements; however, I need to warn you that in the long run, the only way to protect ourselves and the public services we provide is to increase city revenue.

• The Bloomberg administration must collect the more than one-half billion dollars a year in readily available taxes and fees that businesses and the wealthy owe the city. And economic justice calls for the wealthy to pay their fair share through a renewed "millionaires tax."
• The continuing CityTime arrests prove the vast waste and fraud in the administration's $10.5 billion spending on outside consultants and contractors. Instead of pouring our taxes down the drain, let's follow the examples of Chicago and Los Angeles, which have successfully cut this spending.

Now that the budget is settled, I will be moving aggressively into collective bargaining. With the high prices of food and fuel, our members are already suffering. To make things worse, the mayor's rent board has decided to give landlords big increases. Our case for decent raises just to keep up is very strong.

The mayor will cry poverty, but as long as he gives his consultants inflation increases of 2½ to 5 percent, there's no reason the workers who make New York City run should take any less.