Public Employee Press

Parks Dept. honors division director

In a Sept. 14 ceremony honoring outstanding Latinos, the Dept. of Parks and Recreation Latino Society recognized DC 37 Division Director José Sierra.

“We honor you as a prominent labor leader,” said Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, a society officer at the group’s 20th anniversary celebration. “We know that through the work you do, you admirably represent a labor force that is the heart of our city. In fulfilling our mission to support the efforts of Latinos in Parks and provide guidance and mentoring, we look upon you as an example for our future aspirations.”

Quoting the late baseball great and humanitarian Roberto Clemente, Sierra said, “ ‘Anytime you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you have wasted your time on earth.’ I am very grateful to work for a union that makes a difference in its members’ lives, and I am also deeply honored to receive this award from an organization that makes a difference in the lives of Latinos.”

Sierra heads DC 37’s Blue Collar Division, which services seven locals that represent about 6,500 members, including seasonal workers and Jobs Training Participants.

Bronx Borough Commissioner Hector Aponte and Park Supervisor Rico Albacary of Local 1508 were also honored at the event.