Public Employee Press

Local 957 celebrates its 50th anniversary

More than 500 members of New York City Housing Authority Clerical Employees Local 957 joined President Walthene Primus, DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, Chairman Tino Hernandez and several top HA officials to celebrate the local’s 50th anniversary July 22 at union headquarters.

“It is extremely gratifying to reach this milestone in our local’s history,” said Primus to the vast crowd, which also included AFSCME’s Vernon Watkins and many DC 37 local presidents and staff members.

Credit to Executive Board
The golden anniversary celebration featured dining, dancing, DJ Prince Albert and a live blues band headed by Local 957 member Stephanie Bates and Company.

Executive Board members Deborah J. Holloway, Cora Casey, Phyllis McLean, Eileen Hopson, Donna Seale, Orpah Posley, Ruth Brantley and Paul Joachim labored tirelessly in planning the successful event.

“In the late 1950s our local played a significant role in organizing and expanding District Council 37,” Primus said. “We’ve come a long way in the fight for better wages, contracts and representation for clerical workers at the Housing Authority. Today we celebrate those officers who led the fight, and express our heartfelt appreciation for their achievements.”

Local 957 began as a fledgling group of clerical workers without a contract who banded together to fight for union representation. They organized members location by location, and began training shop stewards to handle grievances. As activism grew so did the local’s momentum. Primus said, “The goal then, as it is today, is to service the membership.”

“When we elected to become a clerical adminstrative local, we pushed for collective bargaining and a decent contract — and eventually we got both,” said Elaine Espeut, the local’s first president.

Today Local 957 has accomplished many goals and established career paths for its members who work in the city’s 300 public housing projects throughout the five boroughs.

— DSW.