Public Employee Press

Union mourns activist Ella Woodley

Ella Woodley, a longtime activist in Municipal Hospital Employees Local 420 and staffer for District Council 37, passed away Oct. 30 in Florida.
Born in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Woodley migrated to New York City in 1949 and became a Licensed Practical Nurse two years later.

She helped organize and build Local 420 at Bellevue Hospital, where she served her co-workers as a Local 420 shop steward and chapter chair. Woodley was known for her determined advocacy on behalf of the members of the local, and was never afraid to take on management as she defended union workers.

In 1985 she went to work as a grievance rep for Local 420 and then became a council rep for DC 37. In 1993 she was promoted to assistant director of the Hospitals Division.

“These are heavy times for unions,” she said as she retired in 1995 after 30 years in the labor movement, “but I know our members are in good hands and DC 37 will keep up the fight.”

Woodley left behind a daughter, a son, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

“Ella Woodley was a stalwart unionist who helped DC 37 grow and fought hard for the rights of our members,” said Executive Director Lillian Roberts.