Public Employee Press

Local 1549 Steward Tracye Hawthorne
The making of an activist

By GREGORY N. HEIRES

Arkansas - (a "right-to-work" for less state that prohibits union security agreements) - isn't exactly a hotbed of union activity. Most workers there lack the job security and workplace protections that so many in New York City have.

So when Arkansas native Tracye Hawthorne moved to New York City over five years ago, she was only too happy to find a job as a unionized civil servant.

A member of Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549, Hawthorne quickly embraced trade unionism and dedicated herself to becoming an activist.

"I had never been in a union before," said Hawthorne, an Eligibility Specialist 2 in the Family Independence Administration of the Social Services Dept. "When I learned what we do - fighting for a fair contract, benefits and job security - I was really impressed. I was like, ˜Wow! There really is history here. People died and went to jail to get union rights."

Caught with the union spirit, Hawthorne soon became a shop steward. She has jumped at every opportunity to learn how to be an effective union leader in her workplace. She completed a certificate program and hopes to earn a bachelor's degree in labor studies at Cornell University.

Last year, she was among only 15 activists in the country selected for the Women's Leadership Academy of DC 37's parent union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. She is a member of the Local 1549 NextWave Committee of young activists.

"Tracye is such a strong activist, and she is doing so much to learn about the union," said Local 1549 Executive Vice President Alma G. Roper. "She does a tremendous job keeping the local informed about what's happening in the workplace. She has a great future in the union."

A model trade unionist

"Tracye has made good use of her educational opportunities in the union," said 2nd Vice President Ralph Palladino. "She has built on the skills she picked up as an active shop steward and has used her writing ability to help others." Palladino and Roper have worked closely with Hawthorne, encouraging her to pursue training and education. Recently, they advised her when she created a union guide for recently hired workers represented by Local 1549. She also helped the local research food stamp staffing issues.

The guide, a project she did for the AFSCME leadership program, explains key provisions of the Citywide Contract and the Clerical Agreement. It also discusses such topics as union rights, the grievance procedure, leave policies and procedures, the code of conduct and the state's Taylor Law on the rights of public employees.

"I am sure Tracye will continue to make important contributions to our union," Palladino said. "If you were to look for a model activist, she would fit the mold."