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PEP Sept. 2006
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  Public Employee Press

New contract responds to our members’ needs

By LILLIAN ROBERTS
Executive Director
District Council 37, AFSCME

I would like to thank every DC 37 member who voted on our new contract in the mail balloting that concluded Aug. 25. By participating in such huge numbers — 55,543 members cast their ballots — you gave your union a tremendous vote of confidence. And you showed again that democracy thrives in District Council 37.

As your chief negotiator, I am gratified by the results: An impressive 96.8 percent voted ‘YES’ to ratify the economic agreement (53,773 to 1,740). That says our members believe it’s a great contract. The favorable percentage ties the record, and even in locals whose presidents voted ‘No,’ the members voted overwhelmingly ‘Yes!’

The 32-month pact (July 1, 2005 to March 2, 2008) includes compounded pay raises that add up to 9.42 percent, over $40 million for our union benefits, a plan to ease the residency rules, a salary review committee and no concessions at all.

The new money will be in October paychecks for most members, who will receive raises totaling 5.15 percent and substantial back pay. I am already pressing hard to jump start the salary review process and working with City Hall on joint legislation to ameliorate the residency requirements. Our next raise, 4 percent, is due in five months on Feb. 1, 2007.

Winning a fair contract: our highest priority
The towering ‘Yes’ vote shows that this union listens to its members. Your Negotiating Committee — the presidents of all the locals in DC 37 — understood members’ needs and spoke up effectively. We all owe a vote of appreciation to the committee and to the union staff who worked closely with them. Through the long months of negotiations, members’ support and patience gave the committee strength. The ‘yes’ votes by the committee, the Delegates Council and now you, the membership, validate a magnificent negotiating success — our best contract in many years.

Winning a fair contract for our members has been my highest priority since I became your executive director in 2002. I am proud that we have achieved this together — but it’s my duty to tell you that we cannot take the time to rest on this victory.

Within the next few days, we face important tests of our organizing ability and our political power — the Labor Day Parade Sept. 9 and the Primary Election Sept. 12. And the Congressional election Nov. 7 — our most important challenge in many years — could represent a much-needed turning point in U.S. history.

We focused on building our power in politics and organizing Aug. 7-11 at the international convention of our parent union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Our DC 37 delegates helped AFSCME, the nation’s largest public service union, adopt a top-to-bottom strategic overhaul aimed at making ourselves strong enough to take back Washington and turn back the constant attacks of the Bush administration on working people, minorities and women.

Thousands of DC 37 unionists marching behind labor’s banner on Saturday, Sept. 9, will demonstrate our ability to involve members in the fight to meet our legitimate needs. Together, we will send a message to the enemies of working people: “Your days in control are numbered. Your constant cuts in health care and education are about to end.”

Help make a more just society
I encourage members to bring their families and friends to multiply our numbers as we mobilize for our jobs, our communities and our future. DC 37 marchers will assemble at 11 a.m. on East 46th street between Fifth and Vanderbilt avenues.

We are suffering under an administration in Albany that has never given up on closing hospitals, blocking court-ordered education funds that would give New York City kids their fair share, and favoring tax cuts for the rich over jobs for the rest of us.

On Primary Day, Tuesday, Sept. 12, we can change the face of state government by voting for Eliot Spitzer for governor, David Paterson for lieutenant governor, and candidates for the Legislature who care about working families. You can volunteer to help build a brighter future for our state Sept. 12 by returning the coupon on the back page of this PEP or simply by calling the District Council 37 Political Action Dept. at 212-815-1550.

Just as our solidarity brought us a great new contract, strengthening our involvement in the political process can get us a better government. As soon as we win on Sept. 12, we will go to work electing a Congress committed to keeping the promise of America to working families nationwide. That’s who we are.

 

 

 
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