Official Publication of Social Service Employees Union Local 371-DC 37 AFSCME, AFL-CIO
the
Moore Denounces DCAS Plan
at Albany Hearing
I n her testimony before the State Civil
Service Commission (CSC) in Albany on
September 16, Union President Faye Moore
denounced the City’s plan to reduce the
number of provisional workers in City govern-
ment by reclassifying competitive titles to non-
competitive status. “The reality is that reclassifi-
cation is designed to deprive employees of
rights and benefits and is neither an effective nor
a legal answer to reducing the number of provi-
sional employees,” said Moore.
The meeting was called to hear comment on
the Department of Citywide Administrative Ser-
vices (DCAS) response to questions posed by the
CSC after several DC 37 locals voiced strong
objections to the plan at a previous meeting on
June 10. Union leaders at the September 16 meet-
ing continued to oppose the plan as an attack on
Electing Obama Ticket in November
is Focus of AFSCME Convention
E lecting a Democratic ticket led by
Senator Barack Obama in November
was the focus at the 38th Annual
AFSCME (American Federation of State,
County and Municipal Employees) Convention
in San Francisco,
July 28 to August 1.
AFSCME President
Gerald McEntee told
the five thousand
union members
from around the
country, “I have
never seen an
election where the
choice is more clear…We will work our hearts
out for Barack Obama because we know he
stands with us and with working families across
this nation.” He also emphasized the need to
Continued on page 6
Photos by Charles Brown
the civil service system of merit and fitness.
Moore stated, “The DCAS response does not
explain how it can avoid the constitutional man-
date of testing ‘where practicable.’ It does not
explain why tests given for many years, tests
given last month, and tests that are scheduled for
the next year now are ‘not practicable.’
“It is telling,” Moore continued, “that the DCAS
plan still relies heavily on input from current
administrators even though the current provision-
al crisis continues, in part, because of actions by
these same administrators: refusing to request
exams, not appointing from lists, and the contin-
ued appointment of provisional employees.
DCAS admits that they have provisionals serving
in titles for which there have been long-established
lists. Yet the plan does not address this problem
other than to create a ‘watch list’ and refer to
Barack Obama, top left,
speaks to AFSCME
Delegates; Local 371
President Faye Moore,
above, at rally for state
workers with VP Beverly
Mallory-Brown; (Bottom
left) AFSCME convention
delegates Joe Myrick,
Michael Ballesteros and
Avon Wilson-Pinckney at
work on convention floor.
In photo top right, AFSCME
member displays sign in
support of California
public workers.
Volume 38
Number 8
September 2008
penalizing agencies in some undefined way.”
Union concerns about the plan were initially
reported in the April 2008 edition of The Unionist,
with follow-up articles printed in the May, June,
and July/ August issues. Workers in non-com-
petitive titles do not have the same rights to due
process and certain leaves as workers in compet-
itive titles, they only have discretionary promo-
tional opportunities, and cannot fall back to a
former title in a layoff situation.
In their response to the Commission, DCAS
proposes to “fix” these problems by preserving
certain rights for existing employees whose titles
are converted from competitive to non-competi-
tive, thus creating a two-tiered system of work-
ers in the same title having different rights.
“The Union will challenge any attempted
changes in jurisdiction for each of our titles
included in the plan,” said Moore.
The Commission is expected to issue their
decision on September 22, and will post it on
their web site at www.cs.state.ny.us/commission.
what’s
INSIDE
Stopping Senior and
Community Center Closings
Local 371 is working with a coalition opposed to
the NYC Housing Authority’s plan to close over 200
community and senior centers. (Story on page 3.)
Celebrating Latino Heritage
The Union celebrated Latino Heritage on
September 12 with good food, speakers, and tradi-
tional Latino music. (Story and photos on pages 4-5.)
Marching on Labor Day
Local 371’s contingent joined thousands of
other New York City union members in the
traditional Labor Day Parade up 5th Avenue on
Saturday, September 6. (Story and photos on page 7.)
The Unionist

Working on Election Campaigns

September
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING, 6:30
24 p.m., Union Office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, Manhattan
SHELTER CHAPTER MEETING, 6:30 p.m., Union
25 Office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, Manhattan
29 ROSH HASHANAH begins (Not an Official City Holiday)
October
1 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING, 6:30 p.m.,
L ocal 371 volunteers worked on phone banks,
distributed literature, canvassed door-to-door,
and did whatever was asked of them by the three
VP of Political
Action Michelle
Akyempong (r) works
Union endorsed candidates in the Primary with Union member
Election September 9: Joseph Addabbo and Kevin Faith Cochran to
Parker, running for the NYS Senate, and Inez record poll results.
Barron, running for the NYS Assembly. All three
won their primary elections, Addabbo in the 15th
SD in Queens, Parker in the 21st SD in Brooklyn,
and Barron in the 40th AD in Brooklyn.
The photos (right) were taken during phone
banking at the Union office on August 20 and 21.
PAC Activists who worked on the phone banks
(from front to back) are Yolanda Williams, Mark
Casner, Awilda Tingling, Faith Cochran, Brigette

Photos by Linda Schleicher

Union Office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, Manhattan
Browning, Ralph Garcia, Avon Pinckney, Elma
2 EID AL-FITR (Not an Official City Holiday) Reeves, Sylvia Quinones, Basil Ebong, VP Michelle
Akyempong, Grievance Rep. Reuben Adeshuko,
7 WOMEN’S COMMITTEE MEETING, 6:30 p.m., and Mary Rosario.
Union Office, 817 Broadway, 15th Floor, Manhattan
DFTA/HRA/Parks/DA/BP Chapter Meeting, 6:30
p.m., Union Office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, Manhattan Moore to Welcome Afro-Colombian Unionists to NYC
8 YOM KIPPUR begins (Not an Official City Holiday)

13 COLUMBUS DAY observed (An Official City Holiday)

14 COMMITTEE OF CONCERNED SOCIAL WORKERS
L ocal 371 President Faye Moore will be speaking
at a forum, “The Colombian Struggle: Afro-
Colombian Community and Labor” on Wednesday,
recently linked to several Colombian elected officials,
including the chairman of President Alvaro Uribe’s
political party. Further, on September 3, three judges
MEETING, 6:30 p.m., Union Office, 817 Broadway, October 1. The event, which is open to the public, of the Superior Tribunal in Colombia ordered the
12th Floor, Manhattan begins at 6:30 p.m. and is being held at SEIU 32 BJ arrest of President Alvaro Uribe for failing to enforce
Headquarters, 101 Avenue of the Americas. It is a judgment pertaining to wages for workers in the
15 DELEGATE ASSEMBLY, 6:30 P.M., School of the Future organized by Trade Unionists in Solidarity with judicial sector, leaving clear that the Colombian gov-
127 East 22nd Street, Manhattan
Colombia (TUSC) to welcome visiting Afro- ernment has never been a friend of its working peo-
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEETING, 2-4 p.m., Union
21 Office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, Manhattan
Colombian trade unionists to New York City. ple and a free trade agreement with the US would
The forum will address daily struggles Afro- only be a detriment to their safety. The order of arrest
Colombian trade unionists face in Colombia, the was later successfully appealed by President Uribe.
29 WOMEN’S COMMITTEE EVENT: DOMESTIC VIO-
LENCE “SAFETY AND SELF-PROTECTION”, 6:30 most dangerous country in the world to be a trade Trade Unionists in Solidarity with Colombia is a
unionist. The impact of the Colombia-USA Free network of New York City union workers, Colom-
p.m., Union Office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, Manhattan
Trade Agreement on the African-American and Afro- bian or of Colombian descent, who understand the
Colombian communities will also be discussed. hardships their counterparts in Colombia face
As of January 1986, close to 2,800 trade unionists every day. Members of TUSC belong to UFT, SEIU
the have been murdered in Colombia (41 in 2008 thus 32 BJ, SSEU Local 371, DC 37 Local 372, CSEA Local
far), according to the International Trade Union Con- 1000, and SEIU 1199, among others. Most recently,
federation. The right-wing paramilitary, known per- LCLAA has become an affiliate of TUSC.
Published monthly except for a combined issue in July/August by
the Social Service Employees Union Local 371, District Council 37,
petrators of these assassinations, has been most - Jessica Ramos
AFSCME, AFL-CIO. Subscription Price $2.00 annually. Periodical
postage paid at New York, N.Y.
POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: The Unionist, SSEU
Local 371, 817 Broadway, New York, New York 10003.
New Look for Union Website
USPS# 348990 (212) 677-3900
President
Faye Moore
Executive Vice President
T he SSEU Local 371 website,
www.sseu371.org, has a new
look, featuring easier access to
Yolanda Pumarejo
Secretary-Treasurer
topics of importance to our
Joe Nazario members. The “Calendar” sec-
V.P. Negotiations & Research tion is up-and-running, The
Anthony Wells
V.P. Organization & Education Unionist newspaper is fully
Beverly Mallory-Brown accessible, and new information is available on with the buttons along the top of the page.
V.P. Grievances & Legal Services
Lloyd Permaul
“Political Action” and “Health & Safety” issues. The website is a work in progress. We welcome
V.P. Legislation and Political Action Visitors can now use a search engine to search member input as it continues to evolve, and we
Michelle Akyempong the site, including previous issues of The Unionist endeavor to provide a useful resource for our
V.P. Publicity & Community Relations
Michelle Conklin dating back to January 2002. Claim forms and members. Members are reminded not to use agen-
Trustees grievance forms are easily accessed from the front cy computers to contact the Union office. Com-
Michael Ballesteros
Yolanda DeJesus
page under “Download Forms”. ments regarding the Union's website may be
Melva Scarborough Our “Photo Gallery,” features many photos of directed to Michelle Conklin (212) 598-7044 or
Editor Union members and events that did not appear in Linda Schleicher (212) 598-7054.
Martin Fishgold
Director of Communications The Unionist due to lack of space. The “Resources”
Linda Schleicher
Photographer
button provides links to other websites, and
“Alumni Corner” provides information for our
Official 15-Day Election Notice
Charles Brown
Metro NY retirees. Official 15-day notice is hereby given for the nomination and elec-
Editorial Associate Labor
Jessica Ramos Communications Information about our Union, benefits, tion of six (6) delegates and twelve (12) alternate delegates for the
Council grievances, and negotiations sections, including the Health Department Chapter delegation on Tuesday, October 7, 2008,
Social Service and Related Titles (SSRT) Contract, 6:30 p.m., Union office, 817 Broadway, 15th Floor, Manhattan.
Visit us on the Web at www.sseu371.org and the brand new Benefit book may be accessed
2
 September 2008

Union Campaigns to Block Senior & Community Center Closings

L
ocal 371 is working with a coalition of individu-
als and groups opposed to the New York City
Housing Authority’s plan to address a $200 million
budget shortfall by closing over 200 community and
senior centers. The closings would affect the lives of
10,000 seniors and young people that depend on the
343 centers throughout the City for services.
The Union is urging the City to eliminate the $210
million plus a year it charges NYCHA for basic ser-
vices like police, fire, sanitation, water, senior center
operations and more. The payments are the result of
agreements NYCHA made with the city, some
recent and some dating back many years.
“These payments at these times are causing a finan-
cial drain to the Housing Authority,” said Council-
woman Rosie Mendez of Manhattan, chair of the
Council’s Public Housing Authority. Over $600 mil-
lion dollars has been slashed from the NYCHA bud-
get by the Bush Administration over the past eight
years. NYCHA asked the City Council to allocate $78
million in the next City budget to keep the centers
open, but the Council only allocated $18 million.
A double standard also exists in the way the city
levies charges for public services. The Housing
Authority is a state-chartered public benefit corpora-
tion, and is one of the few such entities in the city that
is paying these service fees. The Health and Hospitals
Corporation and the State’s Roosevelt Island Operat-
ing Corporation, do not make these payments.
Joe Feuerherd, the communications director of
the Washington DC –based Council of Large Public
Housing Authorities, a national non-profit group
that represents most of the public housing authori-
ties in the country, stated that payment for munici-
pal services is waived by local governments in the
majority of public housing authorities in the United
States. “New York City is the exception.”
A Unionist survey of housing authorities nation-
ally verified this information.
President Faye Moore stated, “If the city stopped
charging NYCHA for these basic services, NYCHA
wouldn’t have to close its senior and community
centers and deprive its most vulnerable residents of
Union Supports Legislation for Notification of Senior Center Closings
L ocal 371 President Faye Moore joined
City Council Member James Vacca at
City Hall on August 14 to announce leg-
islation requiring the Department for the
Aging (DFTA) to notify the community
at least 60 days in advance of any senior
center closing, relocation, or consolida-
tion. Vacca introduced this legislation in
response to the threat of senior center
closings. One hundred and one of 391
senior centers are in NYCHA complexes.
Others spoke at the press conference including
members of the City Council and Raglan George,
Jr., president of DC 1707, the union that represents
day care workers in the centers. The following
City Council members attended the press confer-
necessary services – the youth in the child-focused
programs and the elderly, many of whom depend
on the one meal they get daily at the senior centers
to survive.
“We’re talking to everyone we can about this situa-
tion including State legislators, the press, religious
and community leaders, tenants’ councils, and other
unions whose members live and work in the public
housing complexes. It’s not just a union fight, it’s a
community fight, and we are committed to keeping
every center open. The 400,000 middle and low
income New Yorkers who live there deserve no less.”
ence: Charles Barron, Eric Gioia, Letitia James,
Oliver Koppell, Jessica Lappin, Darlene Mealy,
Rosie Mendez, Chair of the Public Housing
Authority Committee, Peter Vallone, Jr., and David
Yassky. Mendez speaks in photo as Vacca, Moore
and others look on.

Contract Bargaining: Balancing Budget on Our Backs

I t’s mid-September. Contract bargaining between
DC 37 and the city seems to have broken down,
although at press time a new bargaining session was
scheduled for September 22. The city's last offer in
July, a two-year contract with a 3.5 percent increase
the first year and a 4 percent increase the second
year, was termed “totally unacceptable” by DC 37.
More recently DC 37 Executive Director Lillian
Roberts stated, “It may take a few months longer
than we’d like to get a contract, but we can’t be
treated in an inferior way. We won’t take that.”
When the current round of bargaining began in
October 2007, both sides expressed optimism that a
settlement could be reached before the last contract
expired on March 2, 2008. The economy was in bet-
ter shape then, and Roberts was hoping to emulate
the United Federation of Teachers and some of the
uniformed unions who settled early with favorable
contracts. This was not to be. As the national econo-
my tanked, the city complained more and more
about money problems, even though two annual
four percent increases for DC 37 members were
included in the current budget.
Adding insult to injury, since the beginning of
this year the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association
won an arbitration providing pay hikes above the
raises offered to DC 37, and three other uniformed
unions, taking advantage of re-opener clauses in
their contracts, negotiated additional wage increas-
es for their members in line with the PBA pattern.
The city must reconsider its last offer and come up
with an offer in line with contracts already negotiat-
ed this round. If both the city and DC 37 acknowl-
edge at a future bargaining session that an agreement
cannot be reached through negotiations, DC 37 can
petition the City’s Office of Collective Bargaining to
declare an impasse and set in motion binding arbitra-
tion under the New York City Collective Bargaining
Index, which measures the average charge of goods
and services purchased by households, was over six
percent higher in July 2008 than it was in July 2007.
Law. OCB would, under this process, conduct an “We still continue to be disrespected by a city
investigation and could then declare an impasse and administration that seeks to balance the budget on
create a panel to set the conditions for a contract. our backs,” said Local 371 President Faye Moore. “We
This could take close to a year to complete. are not second class citizens. The City is trying to cre-
In the meantime, wages are worth less and less in ate a division in the Labor movement by bargaining
purchasing power each month – the Consumer Price fairly with some Unions and disrespecting us.”
SIGN UP NOW FOR DELEGATE TRAINING
Delegates and Alternate Delegates elected in 2008 are invited to register for Local 371’s annual Delegate
Training, which will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2008 and Saturday, November 15, 2008, from 8:30
a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at SEIU Local 32BJ, 101 Avenue of the Americas (between Grand and Watts Streets) in Man-
hattan. This two-part course will provide an overview of the Union as well as trouble-shooting strategies,
which will benefit both newly elected and re-elected Delegates and Alternates. Training materials will be dis-
tributed, and breakfast and lunch will be provided to participants, who should plan to attend both days. The
course is free, but registration in advance is required. Union Vice President Beverly Mallory-Brown encourages
delegates to participate in the process by indicating their training priorities on the response form. “Our Dele-
gates and Alternates are so important, because you are the eyes and ears of the Union. We want to know what
the priorities are on your location, so we can focus on those issues,” says Mallory-Brown.
* * * DELEGATE TRAINING COUPON * * *
Name ____________________________________________________SS# ________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________ Apt. ____________
City ______________________________________ State ____________ Zip Code __________________
Phone (work) __________________________________ Phone (home) __________________________
Work Address __________________________________ Agency ________________________________
Please indicate the top 3 issues on your work location that you would like this training to cover:
1. __________________________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________________________
Fax Coupon to VP Beverly Mallory-Brown, (212) 477-4863, or mail to SSEU Local 371,
817 Broadway, NY, NY 10003. Coupons are due no later than October 31.

3
The Unionist

“Una raza, una fuerza, un poder”

O ne race, one strength, one power (una

raza, una fuerza, un poder) was the theme
for the 17th Annual Latino Heritage
Celebration as more than 300 Union mem-
bers and friends gathered at DC 37 headquarters on
September 12 to honor Latino culture. The Latino
Heritage Committee, chaired by Executive Vice
President Yolanda Pumarejo and Secretary Treasurer
Joseph Nazario, hosted an evening full of Latino food
and music. Pumarejo emceed the event.
President Faye Moore welcomed the audience,
including several fellow local presidents from DC 37
and special guests State Senators Diane Savino and
Eric Adams. After a buffet dinner of pernil, yuca,
pasteles, rice and beans, keynote speaker Assembly-
man José Peralta (Queens, 39th AD-D) addressed the
crowd on the importance of education and health cov-
erage in the Latino community, citing that a mere 35%
of the Latino population in New York State has health
insurance. In an abundance of facts and statistics, Per-
alta exalted the increased purchasing power of Lati-
nos and emphasized, “We need to elect someone who
understands the immigrant struggle and that some-
one is Barack Obama.”
Agua Clara, an Andean music ensemble, and two
dancers welcomed us to their South American home-
land through their charango (10-stringed Bolivian gui-
tar) and siku (panpipe), Incan instruments accompa-
nied by the more traditional guitar and drums. Later
on, Union member Billy Carrion y su Orquesta filled
the room with their salsa grooves. Keynote Speaker, Assemblyman
Vendors sold jewelry and other trinkets in the adja- Jose Peralta
cent hall, and posters were distributed to attendees to
commemorate the occasion.
–Jessica Ramos

President Faye Moore introduces State Senator Diane Savino and Union officers.
Photos by Charles Brown and Joseph Vicinanza

Dancing to the Latin beat.

4
 September 2008

The Latino Heritage Committee takes a bow for a job well done.

President Faye Moore and

State Senator Eric Adams

Assemblyman Jose Peralta, State Senator Diane Savino and

Executive VP Yolanda Pumarejo, chair of the Latino Heritage
Committee, pose for a photograph.

Far left, Billy Carrion y su

Orquesta perform; Andean
musical group Agua Clara,
photo left, and dancers
(center) perform at event.

5
The Unionist

Electing Obama Ticket in November is Focus of

AFSCME Convention
Continued from page 1
elect Democrats to the House and Senate. Local
371’s delegation of 21 delegates and 21 alternates
was led by President Faye Moore.

Gore – Clinton – Obama

Speak to Convention
Speakers at the convention included former Vice
President Al Gore, who tied the urgency of action
on climate change with electing Barack Obama
President. He said, “This is a time of great anxi-
ety...We have never faced a situation like this before
and we have a tendency to believe that if something
never happened before it will never happen….But
think about the planet and all the people on it. We
had two billion people before World War II and
now we have six and two thirds billion and we are
going towards nine billion in my lifetime. We are
like a bull in a china shop…move and something
comes crashing to the ground. The North pole is
melting, and in five A large contingent of Local 371 officers, staff and convention delegates turned out for the demonstration against
years it may be gone in Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s use of layoffs and poverty wages to address budget shortfalls.
the summer… These
threats differ in degree Senator Obama spoke to the convention by satel- tive Board left vacant by the death of Joan Reed,
and time from those in lite hook-up. He said, “I am honored to have your and re-elected Local 1549 President Eddie
the past….As we endorsement…We can’t afford to let John McCain Rodriguez.
approach the inaugura- serve out George Bush’s third term…We need a Delegates also approved resolutions calling for a
tion of a new President President who doesn’t denigrate timetable of withdrawal of
on January 20, we have public service by privatizing jobs troops from Iraq and sup-
everything we need to every chance he gets, but who pro- porting strong measures to
bring a brand new day motes their value like AFSCME promote the environment.
U.S. Representative Sheila to the United States of does…If we can just unite this coun- Union President Faye
Jackson Lee of Texas, America. try around a common Moore said, “We had a
spoke at the convention. We need a wholesale purpose then there’s no obstacle we productive week. I want to
housecleaning in Wash- cannot overcome.” thank all of our members
ington, D.C. to get this who participated. We
administration out of Two Marches have difficult times ahead
there.” Delegates split in half on July 30 to and we look forward to
Senator Hillary Clin- participate in two labor struggles – working together to pro-
ton addressed the con- one at the University of California tect our members and elect
vention saying, “I am San Francisco Medical Center to sup- a new government in
going to work as hard port Local 3299’s fight for a fair con- Former Vice President Al Gore spoke November.”
as I can along with you tract and an end to poverty wages on the threats to the environment.
to ensure a Democratic and one outside of the
victory in November...I Moscone Center to protest
know Senator Obama California Governor Arnold
Arlene Holt Baker, the and have served with Schwarzenegger’s layoff of
Executive Vice President him now for four years over twenty thousand part
of the AFL-CIO, addressed in the Senate. I have time workers and a reduction
the convention delegates. seen his passion and in pay to minimum wage for
determina- more than 200,000 state work-
tion, his grace ers. California is facing a huge
and his grit. I budget deficit and the Gover-
know the best nor and Legislature are fight-
way we can ing over enacting a
stand up for budget.
you and for
everyone who Elections
knows we can In other convention
do better is to business, AFSCME President
Photos by Charles Brown

make sure we Gerald McEntee and Secretary

New York State Senator Hillary
Clinton addressed the delegates.
have a Demo- Treasurer William Lucy were
cratic Presi- reelected to those positions.
dent taking The DC 37 delegation elected
the oath of Veronica Montgomery Costa,
office on Jan- president of Local 372, to fill the Vice President Anthony Wells and other convention delegates study resolutions
uary 20, 2009. seat on the International Execu- on convention floor.

6
 September 2008

Marching in the Labor Day

Parade
U nder skies threatened by the rem-
nants of Hurricane Hannah, Local
371’s contingent joined tens of
thousands of other New York City
union members in the traditional Labor Day
Parade up 5th Avenue on Saturday,
September 6. The spirited Union group,
wearing orange shirts, was led by President
Faye Moore and the children of Local 371
members, who carried the Union banner.
They marched from 47th Street to 72nd Street
and Fifth Avenue chanting union slogans
and carrying signs produced by US Labor
Against the War that called for an end to the
War in Iraq and for our troops to be brought
home now. This year’s parade was dedicated
to the brave men and women who have sac-
rificed so much for this country in the armed
forces. Representatives from the “Wounded
Warrior Project,” a group that assists wound-
ed veterans when they return to the United
States, led the parade.

Photo by Tom Gogan

In top photo, VP Beverly
Mallory-Brown (r) marches with
Union contingent up 5th Avenue.
Photo left, Union contingent
poses for traditional Labor Day
photo in Union Square. Bottom
left, President Faye Moore led
Photo by Andrea Walters

the Union contingent in this

year’s parade. Children of Union
members in bottom photo carry
the Local 371 banner.
Photo by Charles Brown

Photo by Tom Gogan

7
The Unionist

Local 371 Arnie Goldwag, Civil Rights and Union Activist, Dies At 70

Jessica Ramos Appointed to

A rnie Goldwag, an early civil rights activist and
retired director of Local 371’s Health and
Safety Department, died on Saturday, August 9,
Have a Dream” speech. He
was arrested 27 times for civil
rights activities (photo below
2008 at age 70 following a long illness. A memori- at Brooklyn Board of Educa-
Union Staff al service was held at the Brooklyn Society for tion building, 1963), and he

J essica Ramos was unani- Ethical Culture on August 18. was proud of it.
mously approved as an edi- Goldwag, a city worker since 1968, began work- As Health and Safety Coor-
torial associate with the ing for Local 371 in 1992 as an organizer specializing dinator (r), Goldwag was a
Publicity Department by the in safety and health. While attending Brooklyn fierce fighter for Local 371
executive board at its College, Goldwag got involved in the civil rights members. His presence at
September 3, 2008 meeting. movement, and was a charter member of the Brook- work location inspec-
Ramos is New York City lyn Chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality tions put fear in the
Council Member Hiram (C.O.R.E.), where he served as community relations hearts of city managers.
Monserrate’s former event coordinator and com- coordinator. Brooklyn CORE, with a membership He was tenacious in the
of well over 200, was one of the largest chapters in struggle to eliminate
munity organizer. She was elected Judicial
the country. In this capacity, Goldwag was also asbestos in city build-
Delegate in 2006 for the 39th Assembly District,
advisor to a high school CORE group, and he orga- ings, to clean up fire haz-
serving from 2007-2008. She is also currently
nized a CORE chapter at Brooklyn College. ards, to repair leaky roofs
Queens Regional Director of New York Latinos for
He quickly became a battle-tested veteran of that and ceilings, to eliminate
Obama and a member of Trade Unionists in
movement with forays into the deep south to fight for deadly fungi growing in
Solidarity with Colombia and the United Nations
civil rights in the workplace, in schools, in voting city workplaces, and in
Young Professionals for International Cooperation many other battles for
booths and elsewhere. When Kwame Ture (Stokely
Latin American Affairs Committee. Carmichael), the former head of the Student Non-Vio- decent working conditions. He brought a passion to
She attended Hofstra University in Hempstead, lent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), died in 1998, his work that was unmatched by other workers.
Long Island, where she studied International Busi- Goldwag said, “He (Ture) and his associates at As a Union activist, Goldwag served as a Dele-
ness. She lives in Queens. Howard University were my teachers when I was an gate, Executive Committee member, and Disctrict
inexperienced civil rights recruit. We plotted and Council 37 Delegate. He began his career as a Hos-
BFI 30th Anniversary Celebration demonstrated together in the City of Baltimore and
because of our militant hit-and-run sit-in tactics we
pital Care Investigator and later became a Case-
worker in HRA. During his career, he was also the
The Bureau of Fraud Investigation, formerly
forced the city to desegregate public restaurants.” In chairperson of the Brooklyn Chapter of the New
known as BCFI, will be celebrating 30 years of
the early 1960s, Goldwag moved into an apartment in York Civil Liberties Union. He retired on May 1,
work this coming October 23 from 7 to 11 p.m. at
Bedford Stuyvesant as part of CORE’s housing inte- 2008 after 40 years of service.
St. Maggie’s Café, 120 Wall Street. There will be Arnie Goldwag was born on January 18, 1938 in
gration campaign by having white volunteers move
two hours of open bar and buffet dinner preced- into black neighborhoods. Goldwag was also part of Brooklyn to Harry and Bessie Goldwag. He attend-
ed by an array of appetizers. A live DJ will the CORE group that walked from Brooklyn to Wash- ed Yeshiva as a youngster. He leaves his loving
provide music. For more information, please ington, D.C. for the historic 1963 civil rights march wife Gilda, who he married in 1967, along with
e-mail bcfianniversary@yahoo.com. where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous “I numerous friends and colleagues. —Martin Fishgold

Congratulations
Congratulations to Sheila Furs, community liaison worker,
Department of Homeless Services, Intake Diversion & Vacancy
Control, on her retirement August 21 after 27 years of service.
Look for New Benefit Books
A new book detailing the SSEU Local 371 Bene-
fit Funds is on its way to members, and should
arrive by the end of September. The book con-
tains updated information on the Union’s Welfare
Fund, Legal Services Fund, and Educational
Fund. Benefit information can also be accessed on
the Union’s web site (from your home computer!)
at www.sseu371.org, or by calling (212) 777-9000.

Condolences
Condolences are extended to Local member
James Cottrell, AJOS III, Fair Hearing, 14 Boerum
Place, on the death of his sister, Linda Cottrell, on
July 31. Condolences may be sent to James Cottrell
120 Donizetti Place, Apt. 22B, Bronx, NY 10475.
Condolences are extended to Carlton Watler on
the death of his wife, Letricia Watler, Community
Coordinator, on July 23. Condolences may be sent
to Carlton Watler 33 Ridgefield Avenue, Staten
Island, NY 10304.
Condolences are extended to Carole Harding
and her family on the death of her husband,
Deputy Commissioner Paul Harding of HRA’s
General Support Services.
Condolences are extended to the family of for-
mer Union member Lynette Gee on her passing on
August 27. Condolences may be sent to Lynne Gee
505 West 143rd Street #23, New York, NY 10031.
Condolences are extended to Louis Cajigas,
Caseworker, on the death of his father, Santos
Cajigas, in Puerto Rico. Condolences may be sent
to Louis Cajigas c/o WEM 109 East 16th Street,
New York, NY 10003.
Condolences are extended to Beverly Taylor,
Community Assistant at NYC Department of
Transportation Manhattan Borough Engineering
Office, on the death of her daughter, Tanya
Roach. Condolences may be sent to Beverly
Taylor 1 St. Paul Court #6B, Brooklyn, NY 11226.
Condolences are extended to Myrna Parsons-
Coward, Supervisor II in PD Queens Field Office,
on the death of her husband, Lloyd E. Coward, on
June 21. Condolences may be sent to the Coward
Family 172-10 133rd Avenue #1E, Rochdale
Village, NY 11434.
Condolences are extended to Patricia Ogbahon,
Assistant Superintendent of Welfare Shelters, on the
death of her mother, Mrs. Enoma Osarenren, on
August 7. Condolences may be sent to Patricia
Ogbahon 719 East 49th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11203.
Condolences are extended to the family and
friends of Ulric James, CPS from ACS Brooklyn on
his death. Condolences may be sent to Mrs. M.
James 69 Remsen Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212.
Condolences are extended to the family and
friends of Tohma Faulkner, Brooklyn Field Office
Delegate and Political Action Committee Member on
her death. Condolences may be sent to Stephanie
Faulkner 85 Decatur Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216.

Swap, Buy & Sell

FOR SALE – 55 inch Panasonic television.
TV is 5 years old with original parts.
Asking $500.00. All serious buyers can
call (718) 978-7005. (7)
FOR SALE – MOTORCYCLE. ?05 YAMAHA
V-Star Silverado Cruiser, red & black, like
new, 5,200 miles. $5,900. Call 631-
943-6202 before 8 a.m. or after 3 p.m. (5)
WANTED – Top cash for your old jazz, soul,
R & B and gospel albums. Call Howard
at 212-873-4016. (1)
SWAP – AJOS I, Center 18, 132 W. 125th
Street, would like to swap with AJOS I at
any Brooklyn center location. Call
Oluremilekun Kelani at 917-294-7828. (6)
FOR SALE – Electrician’s meters, dolly,
Kenmore heavy duty 90 series washing
machine, lady’s size small dark brown
borghese fake fur jacket‹very good condi-
tion, gift items, clown collection, tie rack,
never used cordless telephone with clock
radio, large ceiling fixture, large flags, lots
more. Call 718-430-1769 and leave a
message. (6)
FOR SALE – 1998 Honda Civic Lx 4dr Sedan,
Green, 72,000 miles, $4250. Call Patricia
at 347-834-7481. (6)
SWAP – Job Opportunity Specialist (JOS) at
Riverview Annex Model Center, 132
West 125 Street in Bronx, would like to
swap with JOS in Brooklyn or Downtown
Manhattan. If interested call Natela at
646-206-9309 or 347-713-1117. (9)
SWAP – Caseworker at CASA X would like to
swap with caseworker at CASA II. If
interested call Giovanny at 917-977-
0012. (9)
CLASSIFIED ADS are free to Union members
and agency shop fee payers in writing
only (fax, mail, or e-mail). Include your
work phone and social security number
with ad copy. Please contact the
Unionist’s new editorial associate,
Jessica Ramos, at (212) 677-3900,
extension 3011 if you have any ques-
tions. In no instance will ads run longer
than three months. No real estate or busi-
ness ads accepted. The Union neither
endorses nor is responsible for these
offerings.