Public Employee Press

Poltical Action 2005

Power in Albany
Over 800 unionists press DC 37’s agenda at annual Lobby Day

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

More than 800 DC 37 members went to Albany May 10 to meet with state legislators in the Senate and the Assembly as part of the union’s 2005 annual Lobby Day.

“We are here to lobby for what we need to remain strong,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. She encouraged members saying, “We will survive these difficult times. We’ve got to stick together to maintain what we have.”

Although the state budget was passed March 31, on time for the first time in over two decades, the devil is in the details as legislators see if the governor signs, or vetoes, the final budget for fiscal year 2006-07.

Union's agenda
DC 37 members packed the state Capitol to make their presence known and to influence lawmakers’ for final and favorable commitments on issues of importance to union members.

Political Action Committee Chair Lenny Allen moderated the mid-morning event where DC 37 active members and retirees heard from guest speakers Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Minority Leader David Paterson, Senate Labor Committee Chair George Maziarz, and Assembly members Peter Abbate, Susan John and Patricia Acampora, and Sen. Diane Savino, a former DC 37 member.

DC 37 Political Director Wanda Williams outlined the union’s agenda, which included legislation that would:

• Make agency shop permanent
• Prevent workplace violence
• Restore $4.4 million to libraries
• Call for accountability from contractors doing business with the state
• Create an equal three-part split of proceeds from the conversion of the Health Insurance Plan of New York into a private entity and assist welfare funds for city workers
• Add climate control for school cafeterias
• Repeal the Urstadt law giving New York City home rule over its rent regulations
• Preserve democracy by not enacting electronic voting, and
• Include numerous pension legislation bills. (See Help DC 37' fight for pension improvements.)

As an active and voting constituency, DC 37 members let lawmakers know they are counting on them to support bills that will improve on-the-job dignity for municipal employees and the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

“We’re listening, we’re receptive, we’re partners and we want to be supportive,” said Bruno at the pre-lobbying rally.

“We stand on your shoulders and rely on your professionalism,” Silver said. And while New Yorkers daily grapple with overcrowded, under-funded public schools, health care and homeland security concerns, Silver said, “The governor and the city’s mayor should deal with the challenges we currently face before taking on new ones like the West Side Stadium and other nonessential projects. This election year, hold them accountable.”

The full spectrum of DC 37 membership was represented from Accountants to School Crossing Guards, Laborers to Lab Technicians, local presidents, executive board members, delegates and retirees.

Local 1407 rank-and-file member Donovan Dillon summed up the day: “We came to Albany today to explain what we face on our jobs and in our communities. Time will tell. It’s up to the legislators to act, but we will be watching closely.”