Keynote Speaker Andrew Cuomo Says No to Death Penalty

On Saturday, October 23, 2004, hundreds of District Council 37 members, and activists from a broad cross-section of locals came together to formulate the union's legislative agenda for the coming year 2005. DC 37 is the city's largest public employees union.

The conference featured keynote speaker, Andrew Cuomo, spoke about his opposition to the death penalty.

"This conference serves to educate our members on the issues and on the importance of political action," said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts who also used the occasion to encourage a large turnout of union members, retirees and activists to vote for John Kerry on November 2. "John Kerry is a compassionate leader whose leadership talents, experience, intelligence, support for labor and dedication to public service is what our nation desperately needs. We will be out in large numbers on election day urging everyone to vote for John Kerry and our slate of endorsed candidates"

On the state level, the DC 37 legislative agenda formulated at the conference includes increasing the minimum wage, supporting the civil service system, increasing education funding through the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, childcare funding increase, and increasing funding for Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus.

On the city level, the legislative agenda includes funding increases for childcare, ending privatization, increasing civilianization in city agencies, and supporting child health clinics.

The conference featured panels on civilianization, immigration and education. Among those who participated in the panels were: DC 37 President Veronica Montgomery Costa, DC 37 Treasurer Maf Misbah Uddin, DC 37 Retirees President Stuart Leibowitz, Local 154 President Juan Fernandez, Local 2627 President Ed Hysyk, Councilmember Eva Moskowitz, Councilmember Allen Jennings, and Assemblyman Jose Peralta.

Also featured were workshops on education, health, pension and retirees issues. Among those participating in the workshops were: Retirees President Stuart Leibowitz, Local 1320 President James Tucciarelli, and Local 372 Executive Vice President Santos Crespo.