Public Employee Press

CBTU honors three DC 37 leaders

More than 200 labor activists from the New York Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists came together Sept. 8 at Harlem’s historic Alhambra Ballroom for their 15th annual James “Jim” Bell Scholarship Dinner Dance.

At the event, the CBTU honored three DC 37 members: Local 957 President Walthene Primus, Local 1549 member Jackie Keller and Retirees Association Executive Vice President Audrey Iszard.

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr., the keynote speaker, praised CBTU’s work. “Now more than ever, there is a great need for CBTU to fight for fair wages, health care andaffordable housing,” said Thompson.

The organization’s Woman of Valor Award went to Primus, who chairs the DC 37 Women’s Committee and serves as a vice president on the union’s Executive Board.

Iszard received the Retiree of the Year Award and Keller, who has worked at the Police Dept. for 40 years and serves on CBTU’s Election Committee, won the Chapter Award.