By Diane S. Williams

As the head of the city's largest municipal union, representing 125,000 active members and 50,000 retirees, DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts is a leading figure in New York City's labor movement.
In recent months, her responsibilities have grown as four important labor institutions have recognized her role in fighting to protect workers' rights and benefits by electing her to leadership positions.

In April, the 2.3-million-member New York State AFL-CIO elected Ms. Roberts as vice president of its Executive Council. The organization works for economic and social justice for all New Yorkers.

She also was elected vice president of the New York City Central Labor Council, which unites more than 400 union locals representing over 1 million members. The CLC champions the rights of working men and women citywide through grassroots organizing and political action.

Since June, Ms. Roberts has served on the Labor Advisory Board of the Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives in the Bobst Library at New York University, whose mission is to preserve and disseminate the history of the labor movement.

In a June vote, the Municipal Labor Committee elected Ms. Roberts to fill a partial term as its secretary.
The MLC includes public employee unions representing 300,000 members and negotiates with the City of New York on health, welfare and payroll-related benefits.

On Sept. 12, the MLC reelected Ms. Roberts to a full term as secretary.

The group also reelected incumbent vice chairs Veronica Montgomery-Costa and Helen Greene. Ms. Montgomery-Costa is president of DC 37 and of Board of Education Employees Local 372; Ms. Greene is president of Health Services Local 768 and a vice president of AFSCME, DC 37's national union.

MLC adds Ensley to Steering Committee
In the Sept. 12 vote, SSEU Local 371 President Charles Ensley, who is also an AFSCME vice president, was elected as a vice chair.