Public Employee Press


DC 37/AFSCME Strong: Engage & Educate:
Local 1549 activists ready for fight-back

By GREGORY N. HEIRES

Nearly 100 activists attended Local 1549's annual political action and advocacy conference on Jan. 30.

This year's theme was "Agenda for a Better New York." The program included training, guest speakers and panel discussions.

"We have to get busy and work together," Local 1549 Executive Vice President Alma Roper said.

Roper called attention to the national and local threats that the union faces, including a Republican-backed anti-union bill in Congress and a push for the privatization at public hospitals, where nearly a third of Local 1549 members work.

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie informed members about a plan in the proposed state budget to gut the workers' compensation system. He said he supported additional capital spending to help NYC Health + Hospitals address its fiscal troubles.

Vanessa L. Gibson, chair of the City Council's public safety committee, told the group she stands behind the union's campaign for a new contract at the City University of New York, where 10,000 members have gone without a raise for seven years.

Local 1549 2nd Vice President Ralph Palladino, who coordinated the conference, urged activists to encourage their coworkers to participate more in union activities and the electoral process. Underscoring the importance of political work, Palladino noted how the local was successful in lobbying for hiring and civilization at the New York Police Dept.

Director of Legislation Wanda Williams also addressed the crisis at NYC Health + Hospitals, which faces a $500 million deficit. She expressed her concern about Gov. Andrew Cuomo's wish to shift $485 million in spending for CUNY from the state to the city.

Along with Heastie, Lee Clarke, the local's special assistant to the president, raised the alarm about the plan to change the state's workers' compensation system. The plan would reduce benefits and weaken the hearing process, she said.

Natasha Isma, vice chair of the Local 1549 Political Action Committee, led a training session on the AFL-CIO's Common Sense Economics program, focusing on the economy and working women and families. Program Coordinator Khalia Kweli of the DC 37 Political Action and Legislation Dept. discussed DC 37's national political action committee, PEOPLE.

"I enjoy these conferences very much," said Vanessa Reed, a Clerical Associate Level 4 at Kings County Hospital. "They give you valuable information you can share with your coworkers."