Public Employee Press


DC 37/AFSCME STRONG: ENGAGE & EDUCATE
Activists get ready for summer

BY ALREDO ALVARADO

District Council 37's Organizing Dept. stepped up its campaign with a series of lunch-time meetings and training sessions for members who want to become more active in the union.

Patricia Chardavoyne, a member of Local 371, attended the May 12 session, where members learned effective strategies to deliver the union message at their workplace.

"I thought it was excellent," said Chardavoyne of the training. "It's important to teach people how to have that initial conversation with members to break the ice."

Organizer Julian De Jesus recommended setting time aside during lunch to have conversations with members, but acknowledged it could be difficult and suggested conversations could develop when you least expect it. Chardavoyne agreed. She was at work recently when she dropped her glasses and commented that she's fortunate to have benefits that cover her glasses if they were damaged. "A coworker overheard my comment and questioned me about our optical benefits, so I explained our benefits to her right there," Chardavoyne recalled.

De Jesus also warned members not to be discouraged when speaking to coworkers who are hostile to the union. "A lot of times those same people turn out to be the best activists," he said.

Daniel Lee, a Public Health Nurse and member of Local 436, also attended the training.

Lee was curious to find out what his union was up to. "I usually go to our local's general membership meetings," said Lee, who works at the High School of American Studies in the Bronx, one of the top schools in the city.

During the training session, Organizing Director Barbara Terrelonge gave the activists an assignment to reach out to 10 members from a list she provided for them. The assignment was to find out the members' status and follow up with them before their next training session. Many city workers have never filled out a union card or have filled one out but are not on file with the union.

The Organizing Dept. has also been busy establishing Member Action Teams at City University of New York campuses, the New York Police Dept. and other workplaces.

"The Member Action Teams are a good idea because they give the union a presence on the campus," said Narka Flocker, a member of Local 384 who works at the CUNY Graduate Center. "Some members feel the union only comes around when there is a problem."

Gerda Sampson, a member of Local 1113, has recently become active with her Member Action Team at the Police Dept. "We meet on the first Wednesday of the month," said Sampson, who works as an Associate Investigator at the NYPD. "It's an opportunity for us to discuss workplace issues; I really enjoy it."

Members at Police Dept. organize

With her 15 years on the job, Sampson knows her way around the department and has collected 50 signed union cards from her coworkers. Sampson also attended the Union Day event the Organizing Dept. held at One Police Plaza and is looking forward to the next one. "We had a very good turnout," she said of the first union meeting.

The Organizing Dept.'s next lunch-time meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 14, at the Rosenthal Library room 230 at Queens College The next activist training takes place at DC 37 headquarters on Thursday, June 16, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Reserve your spot for the training session by calling the Organizing Dept. at 212-815-1095.

Activist training sessions are open to all DC 37 members. Those who are interested in starting a Member Action Team in their workplace can reach out to the Organizing Dept.

For updates on lunch-time meetings, Union Day meetings, and activist training sessions, check the union website at www.dc37.net.