Public Employee Press

Real estate local merges with Civil Service Tech Guild

City real estate workers are now members of Civil Service Technical Guild Local 375 as a result of a merger with Local 1219, whose membership fell to less than 130 in recent years, and Local 375.

Real Estate Employees Local 1219 held a gala June 9 to commemorate its history.

"We played an important role in shaping our city," said Local 1219 President Shirley Williams, before asking members and guests to speak about the work of Real Property Managers and the merger. The local also threw a retirement party for Williams on April 4. Coworkers, union leaders and staff and management officials honored her highly successful career at the Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development and her effective service as local president, a vice president of DC 37 and chair of the union's Education Committee, which under her leadership expanded its scholarship offerings for members' children.

At the June 9 event, DC 37 Associate Director Henry Garrido said that after its founding in 1954, Local 1219 embarked on an "incredible journey" to manage city-owned buildings, which provided affordable housing and brought in substantial revenue through sell-offs.

The local's members helped shelter thousands of city residents left homeless by fires, 9/11, storms and building collapses. But over the years, the membership declined as the city moved away from managing buildings and sold off properties.

Local 375 President Claude Forte welcomed the real estate workers to the local.

Other speakers at the gala included DC 37 division directors Nola R. Brooker and Audrey McConney, Assistant Director Stephanie Miller, Council Rep Cynthia Keyes-Padilla, Local 374 President Cuthbert Dickenson, and Local 1219 members Jamar Francis-Tunkara, Ivan Paredes and Vernon Lewis.

"We are bringing a positive spirit to Local 375," Lewis said.