Local 1549 Members ...In the Know! Local 1549 Newsletter • Vol. 5 No. 4 • June 2021 Exclusive Interview: Members Want to Know! Questions and Answers with Eric Adams Photo by Chrystle Bullock

Local 1549 and DC 37 endorsed Mayoral candidate Eric Adams (4th from left) shown with local’s top officers at the January 2020 Advocacy and Political Action Conference. Eric has always been there for us. NOW WE NEED TO BE WITH HIM! AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS people can have their own space. For those with mental and REZONING health illnesses, we need to stop the revolving door process There is so much housing going up, but none is and partner with real supportive housing, like the Fountain affordable. What can you do about that? House where you gave wraparound services, so they don't By making sure that we have a real public housing stock in have to be homeless. this city, and we must build more middle- and low-income Regarding rezoning, what is your stand in build- housing. And we could do so by realigning our agencies ing towers outside of the context of and not being properly. Every New Yorker should not be paying more in conformity with the neighborhood, like allow- than 30 percent of income for rent. And I am going to fight ing tallest structures, blocking views such as the to make sure that that's the standard across the board. proposed 960 Franklin Avenue in Brooklyn? How will the candidate improve the homeless The Franklin Avenue Project came to our office. We situation, violence, and delinquency, which has voted against it because we should not build outside of been on the rise ever since de Blasio has been the contextual environment that surrounds the commu- mayor of the city? nity. And we should always have community feedback on Homelessness falls into three categories, children and projects of that magnitude. families, that's the largest number in our shelters now. Single adults, that is the population that some of our young POLICING people are coming home from incarceration. And lastly, As you are a retired member of mental health illnesses. So, we need to treat each one with Police Department, what is your position on quali- a different plan so we can get a holistic approach. Children fied immunity as it relates to police reforms cur- and families should not be displaced. It is cheaper to keep rently being discussed? people inLook their forapartments. Special The Postal voucher mailing system paymentstelling you moreI'm a supporter about the of having SCREENING qualified COMMITTEES immunity. When and a are too low. Wehow need to to become increase the part dollar of amountit. Also that look it forperson the shouldSpecial not rankedhave immunity choice is when Mayoral you carry Poll. out an is equivalent to what apartments are now. The single adult action that is reckless or totally outside of the scope of your units should be repurposed in hotels into kitchenettes,We want toduties. hear Iffrom a police you. officer is acting within his or her scope not into shelters. They should become apartments where of their duties, we need to be supportive of that action. Continue on page 5 A City Election Like No Other By: Melissa M. Tirado, Local 1549 Hospital Executive Vice Chair ITH all the events that happened in 2020 and this year, there’s a good chance the New York City W2021 election isn’t on top of everyone’s mind. Vot- ing for the next mayor is always an important duty of New Yorkers. But the stakes are higher now we are facing historic challenges. With the economic fallout of the pandemic, the long-term city’s budget uncertainty, mass job losses, and an exodus of our citizenry, the future is uncertain. As our city enters a post-COVID recovery, our city is in a precarious position. With the vaccines in motion and New York almost at recovery, we have everything to gain by restor- ing common sense, problem solvers, and bipartisan thinking to our City Hall. This is a time of crisis and one of the most Hospital Chapter Vice Chair Melissa Tirado (L) with Vanessa Gibson (middle) at a crucial elections in our history. We cannot afford leaders who rally for First Responders at North Central Bronx Hospital. don’t prioritize the economic revitalization of New York City right candidate who will do something about the direction agencies. Help us elect the government you deserve. of this great city. Help us elect the government you deserve. With ranked-choice voting, we need to educate our family, This election is too important not to do your part. Help us friends, and ourselves. It’s time for us to help by voting for the restore New York by casting your vote.

Calling 911: Adams for Mayor! By Chrystle Bullock, 911 PCT and Local 1549 Officer at Large support Eric Adams for Mayor because he comes from me that he is fit for the tough job of being Mayor. Eric the NYPD. He would be instrumental in getting the has real plans to create affordable housing everywhere, IFirst Responders 911 Bill passed in Albany. He relates fight against police brutality and take on the homeless to us since he comes from a public service background. problem. New York needs a Mayor who doesn’t back down even A vote for Eric is a vote for a new New York. Let’s get when it’s tough. His 20 years as a Police officer assures out there and get him elected!

Vote for Change -It’s Up to You Local 1549 By Brenda Walker, Social Service Chapter Chair 020 proved to be quite pled with the changing of Members the year, changing NY primaries to June 22, for …In the Know! 2how people function the first-time voters will par- in the world forever. The ticipate in “Ranked Choice June 2021 current events that have Voting”, a definite game Vol. 5 No. 4 rained down on us follow- changer. There are Borough ing the pandemic led to a Presidents and the NYC Editor: Ralph Palladino plethora of issues from a Comptroller races. There record number of deaths, a are 37 NYC Council seats Contributor: Chrystle Bullock seriously contentious presi- up for grabs, and a highly dential race, crippling job contested Mayoral race.13 Graphic Artist: loss, Black Live Matter pro- candidates are running for E.J. Dobson tests, calls for police reform mayor that swear they have Communications 3rd VP: and a crumbling economy to Brenda Walker with Charles Barron. the magic pill to fix the ail- Jamaisa Johnson say the least. ing city. NYC Clerical-Administrative Fast forward to 2021, with the city’s at- So not only will we see New York City Employees Local 1549 tempt to reopen forcing us to navigate this change, but you want to have a hand in 30 Vesey Street, 12th fl. new normal. While the fog is lifting, New orchestrating that change. Read and listen New York, N.Y. 10007 York residents have serious decisions to to what the candidates have to say. You Phone: make that will reshape our future. There can read the Local 1549 recommendations (212)815-1549 are four hundred twenty-two (422) can- in this newsletter. So, let’s go Local 1549! email: didates entering the electoral arena that Early in person voting is on the table with [email protected] qualify for matching funds that will change assigned polling sites from June 12 – 22. the political landscape of New York. Cou- So, let’s go and make some change!

2 MEMBERSHIP Message from President Eddie Rodriguez Union Strong:Voting Counts! T is important that you vote in the up- in the form of endorsements of candi- coming city elections. It is fortunate dates. This is done after discussion with Ithat we elect our own bosses. We need and limited polling of members. After that to use this opportunity to elect leaders we discuss them and bring it to a vote by that will support us. our delegates and Executive Board. Voting is critically important to us. If Our parent umbrella union, DC 37 enough of “our” people did not vote in makes endorsements before we do. We the last national election last year, Don- have a right to agree or choose another ald Trump and Mike Pence would still candidate. Our track record of choos- be our leaders and not Joe Biden and ing good candidates when we do so is Kamala Harris. If people did not vote in excellent given our current State Attor- Georgia in the Senate Run-off elections ney General Letitia James and Congress- held last December giving the Demo- woman Nydia Velasquez to name two crats a majority of the Senate, then the we supported when DC 37 chose other Biden stimulus package would never candidates when they first ran for office. have passed, and we would have faced We made the right choices! We can agree cuts to our jobs and benefits. to disagree from time to time since we are working to- We are public employees. Our salaries and benefits wards the same goals of representing and defending you. are paid for by tax dollars. The decisions on where and Eric Adams is our choice for Mayor and Vanessa how these tax dollars are used are made by these elected Gibson is our choice for Bronx Borough President. public officials. Both are endorsed by DC 37. Hector Robertson is our Leaders who are elected to office in City Hall as Mayor choice for City Council in the 35th District in Brooklyn. and representatives are impor- Brian Benjamin is our choice for City Comptroller. tant for us. They make decisions like negotiating our The rest of our endorsements are located elsewhere wages and benefits, expanding affordable childcare, in this newsletter sent to Local 1549 members. Contact paid family leave, affordable housing, stopping CUNY Wanda Williams by email at [email protected] tuition increases, and not using layoffs or reducing our for information about the candidates and how you and benefits to balance the city budget. others can help get them elected. They make decisions around issues like affordable We also are providing more information in this news- housing expansion and using policing for public safety letter about these candidates and other election infor- while stopping the use of excessive force. These are mation including Ranked Choice Voting procedures. central issues for the public in this election. We know it is critically important to be engaged with We cannot tell you who to vote for, am I right! But we political leaders and vote. In numbers there is strength. do know those people who are running for office and what The stronger we are the better chance of winning. Help they promise. We therefore make informed suggestions make our Union Strong. VOTE!

LOCAL 1549 ENDORSEMENTS for June 22, Primary MAYOR COMPTROLLER PUBLIC ADVOCATE Eric Adams Brian Benjamin CITY COUNCIL District 2, District 5, Julie Menin District 22, Tiffany Caban District 39, Bridgette Rein District 4, Keith Powers District 6, Gale Brewer District 28, Adrienne Adams District 42, Charles Barron District 21, District 35, Hector Robertson

BOROUGH PRESIDENTS Bronx, Vanessa Gibson Brooklyn, Jo Anne Simon Staten Island, No Endorsement Queens, Manhattan, Brad Hoylman

MEMBERSHIP 3 Voter Information Page How Ranked Choice Voting Works This information is from the New York City Campaign Finance Board. If you want more information about Ranked Choice Voting please go to the website: http://www.nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/rcv-resources/ You can only choose one candidate for each place: 1st, 2nd, etc. If you choose more than one your bal- lot will not be counted! How Does It Work? Ranked choice voting allows people to vote for multiple candidates in order of preference. You can now fill out the ballot saying who is your first choice, second choice, and so on up to your fifth-choice candidate for each position. Learn more about Ranked Choice Voting here: How to fill out your ballot: · Rank your top five candidates in order · Mark as many candidates as you feel comfortable · Mark your favorite candidate in the first column ranking (up to five) · Mark the rest, in order, in their respective columns · Choosing multiple candidates does not hurt your · Do not skip any columns first choice, but you can select up to five candidates. How to Mark Your Ballot Mark your ballot by order of preference. · Rank as many or as few candidates as you like · 2nd choice - Fill in second column · Choose one candidate for each column · Followed by your 3rd, 4th and 5th choice · 1st choice - Pick your favorite candidate

Voter Information: Important Dates and Rank Choice Voting (RCV) Information: ONE PAGER ON RCV AND OTHER RCV RESOURCES: · http://www.nyccfb.info/rcvresources · RCV Video: youtube.com/user/nyccfb · https://youtu.be/jqpst3uY-0w - English · https://youtu.be/FTxrd5-cnjw - Spanish GENERAL VOTING INFORMATION: · www.voting.nyc IMPORTANT ELECTION DATES: · June 12-22 – EARLY VOTING · June 15 – Last day to register for your absentee ballot (Might change to June 7th) · June 22nd – PRIMARY ELECTION DAY Zoom meeting with Eric Adams

Questions and Answers with Eric Adams...from page 1 We should not have that officer open to a lawsuit. He worse examples. Do you support Civil Service? was trying to protect lives. When someone does something I'm a civil service guy as I have advocated for years. reckless, like we saw with Abner Louima, who just en- We also need to civilianize the police department as well dorsed me the other day, or in the Diallo case of what you and move those police officers to patrol. saw, what happened with Sean Bell, whose mother also endorsed me today. Incidents like this should not have SUPPORTING PUBLIC HOSPITALS the immunity nor be able to have the taxpayers pay for it. What will you do to support public hospitals and clinics who are always financially strapped CHILDCARE with little money on hand to make payroll and Do you support more childcare subsidies and little administrative overhead to begin with? onsite childcare facilities in city agencies? Yes, I would support not only our health care system, I am a big supporter of early childhood investment. We our NYC Health and Hospitals, but also your fight to need to start early. I believe we can use office spaces for make sure funding goes into the members’ pockets and childcare. We can look at how to build out some of these public hospitals, and not into the private hospitals. My retail spaces that have closed. I put out a plan that I think hat's off to the union for fighting this for the longest to we can save about two hundred and fifty million dollars do real reform around hospital costs and procedures. and have universal childcare for those who are in need. 311, TRANSFORMING SERVICES and OPEN STREETS LISTENING TO WORKERS Do you support expansion Open Streets in One of your goals as mayor is to make local all boroughs? government more efficient. Some of your plans I'm a big open street person. I believe that we need to include making city agencies more transparent allow better use of our streets. You should do it with a with their information and creating a digital plat- real communication and input with local stakeholders, form to access all city services locally. 311 pro- people living in the community. vides many of these services already. Are there any plans on improving 311? And how will you be 911 AND FIRST RESPONDERS increasing the 311 transparency and efficiency? There is legislation in Albany for first responder’s First thing I'm going to do is sit down with 311 em- status for 911 workers in NYPD. Can you actively ployees and ask the question, “how do we get this right? support and increased pay for our work as well, How do we make it better?” That's the biggest mistake including the premium pay award for the covid we make in civil service. It is not done. Some of the best pandemic work and the federal stimulus package? ideas I came up with, if you look at my website, 100 Plus I do support it. I think you should get every elected official Steps Forward for New York City Employees, is from in the city to do a walk through at 911. Let them see what is that approach for years. They approach me and say, happening and the volume of stress with that job. And you “This is a better way to do it without wasting money. won't have one elected official that would vote against that. We’re not doing what's right, we can be more efficient.” So, I must start with that. And that is why I want to PROTECTING CIVIL SERVICE use the technology to do so. We're not going to get rid The city is replacing Civil Service clerical em- of the employees. We've got to increase the number of ployees with Non-Competitive titles who per- employees. We must identify problems in the city before form the same duties. ACS and HRA are the we just respond and be reactionary to them.

MEMBERSHIP 5 There is no better Seal of Approval than from one of your former employees What a former co-worker says about Eric Adams From Theresa Bell Garcia want to say that Eric is a reliable My supervisor is a grassroots person. leader who will take us into a better We need to campaign for him to get him in economy. I worked with Eric for some office. I wish the best for Eric. Thank you “time.I He was a fair and just boss who lis- all for your support, kindness and being a tened and had empathy and intelligence. great leader. And we support you and will He was like that all the time. work hard to get you elected.

Announcing the endorsement of Vanessa Gibson for Bronx Borough President LERICAL Administrative Local 1549 DC 37 AFSCME, representing 14,000 employees of the City of New CYork and the New York City Health and Hospi- tals (NYC H+H) and the Metro Plus HMO, announce the election endorsement of Vanessa Gibson for Borough President. The endorsement was unanimously decided by the Executive Board and reaffirmed by the Lo- cal 1549 Delegate Assembly. Vanessa Gibson has always supported the clerical em- Vanessa Gibson (2nd on right) with (l-r) Ralph Palladino, Eddie Rodriguez ployees in the City of New York. She was an outspoken and Alma Roper at a Bronx Press Conference. leader in the fight to civilianize the New York City Police Budget and Committee on Oversight and Investigation. Department (NYPD). She showed respect for our union She was one of the very few City Council representatives members by visiting the NYPD worksites at precincts to speak forcefully on issues and remain for the public’s and the 911 facilities. She made it a point to find out how testimonies. our members do their work. She always spoke up for our Vanessa is currently a Deputy Council Leader and co- members and demanded accountability from the NYPD as chair of the Council’s Women’s Committee. She has cham- the first woman and person of color to chair the New York pioned the rights of women and affordable housing, low- City Council Public Safety Committee. She showed the income families, seniors, LGBTQ rights, gender equity, same passion for protecting the rights of working people affordable housing, low-income families, seniors, employ- as chairwoman for the Council’s Subcommittee on Capital ment access, and meaningful opportunities for our youth. Charles Barron for NYC Council Brooklyn 42nd District Dear Local 1549, on behalf of unions and their workers, am a candidate for Council of the City on issues such as prevailing wages, living of New York running in Brooklyn's wage salaries, improved work conditions, I42 nd district. The district encompasses and protection and extension of workers Spring Creek Towers/Starrett City, East benefits, among other issues. New York, Brownsville, Canarsie and East I appreciate the profound work that Flatbush. your union undertakes on behalf of its My service to New York has included members and look forward to a contin- holding office in both the state and city ued positive, productive relationship on legislative bodies. Over the decades that I their behalf, as well as the residents of have been an activist and elected official, New York. I have voted for and fought aggressively In solidarity, Charles Barron

6 MEMBERSHIP Hector Robertson for City Council 35th District-Brooklyn lack of it. As a member of Community Board 9, I saw firsthand how the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) pro- cess does not work. The ULURP process is required, when a property owner is requesting a zoning change. I will introduce legislation to change/modify this process which does not work for all in the 35th CD. Second, I am the only candidate with 30 years of experi- ence in the private industry working for the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and diagnostics companies. This ex- perience has allowed me to work in many clinical trials across the country and around the world. It also has allowed me to develop budgets, collaborate with diverse team members to accomplish a successful clinical trial and bring helping to bring Hector Robertson with President Rodriguez and Ex VP Alma Roper. lifesaving drugs into the market to help others. He is part of the Local 1549 family! I understand the private sector is not the same as working O all Local 1549 members living in the 35th Council for a municipality. Yet, I think the skills I have acquired over District in Brooklyn, I would like to take this opportu- the years will become helpful in making informed decisions Tnity to thank you for your support as I run in this 2021 and getting things done for the city and district. election cycle to become the next City Council representative I ask that you continue to support me. I have no doubt that for the 35th CD. There are a couple of compelling reasons that I am the best candidate for the district. If you are a Local 1549 sets me apart from them: member living in the 35th CD, your vote will make it happen. First, I am the only candidate that has worked as a commu- Thanks, nity and tenant organizer for over 25 years in Crown Heights Hector Robertson and understand the real issues related to the housing and the Candidate for City Council for the 35th CD.

Brian Benjamin for City Comptroller Comes from a DC 37 family! From Brian Benjamin: city Comptroller, I will use my experience UR city’s union workers are in finance and investing to protect the pen- critical, and as the son of sions of New York City’s union workers, “O hard-working union members and responsibly manage our city budget. I who are retired on city pensions, I under- look forward to working together to build stand the importance of protecting their a stronger New York City, and I am proud rights,” said Brian Benjamin, “As the next to have the support of Local 1549 today.” Brad Hoylman for Manhattan Borough President TATE Senator Brad Hoylman has affordable housing and keeping tenants spent the last eight years fighting in their homes, supporting public hos- Sfor progressive reforms that make pitals and public schools, and screening a real difference in New Yorkers’ lives. every child for dyslexia. He led the fights to protect tenants dur- His strong record and platform have ing the COVID-19 pandemic by passing earned him endorsements from former the Tenant Safe Harbor Act, strengthen Borough President C.Virginia Fields, vaccine requirements to protect children Congressman Jerry Nadler, County Chair and the immunocompromised, bring more Keith L.T. Wright, Senators John Liu and funding to public hospitals, make police Jessica Ramos, as well as labor support reporting more transparent, end discrimi- from the UFT, RWDSU, UFA, IATSE 829 nation against transgender New Yorkers, and more. ban ICE from targeting undocumented Brad has lived in Manhattan for three New Yorkers outside court houses, and get decades; he lives in the Village with his justice for victims of child sexual abuse. husband David and daughters, Lucy and As Borough President, Brad will con- Silvia. Brad would make history as the tinue to make an impact by creating more first LGBTQ Borough President.

MEMBERSHIP 7 DC37 Local 1549 Clerical-Administrative Employees 30 Vesey Street, 12th Floor 1549LOCAL New York, N.Y. 10007 NYC CLERICAL ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEES DC 37 • AFSCME • AFL-CIO

SAVE THE DATE: June 30. 6 pm Local 1549 General Membership Meeting VOTE IN THE JUNE 22, PRIMARY. Do not let others make decisions for you. You may not like them.

Inside this newsletter: Interview with Eric Adams; Ranked Choice Voting Information; Hear from the candidates; Local 1549 Endorsements; Why Vote? For more updated information go on Local 1549 website and Facebook. Website: Local1549.com Go on Facebook: Local1549, AFSCME and like the page.

Note that if you have moved and did not receive previous newsletters from Local 1549 for a while and this newsletter had to be forwarded to your new address, please telephone DC 37 at 212-815-1000 and ask for “Membership Records”. Tell them you are a Local 1549 member and need to change your address. STAY CONNECTED Eric Adams and Alma Roper