DC 37's Lillian Roberts praises City Council resolution urging Congress to pass Employee Free Choice Act

Union says legislation would aid its current drive to organize Central Park Conservancy employees and prohibit anti-union intimidation now being practiced by management

(New York, N.Y.) — DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, head of the city's largest public employee union and other labor leaders and activists gathered at City Hall today for a news conference highlighting City Council Resolution 1180, which calls on Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). They also applauded the resolution's sponsor City Council member Joseph Addabbo, chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Labor, and his Council colleagues.

EFCA would protect the right of working people to join unions. It would establish strong penalties for employers who violate that right through intimidation, harassment or other anti-union tactics. It would also provide mediation and arbitration for first-contract disputes and force employers to accept card check recognition.

"Every worker deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and fairness in the workplace. They also deserve the right to choose to join a union," said Roberts. "Yet, even in a union town like New York, anti-union employers still seek to deny them that right. Today, the thanks to Council member Joseph Addabbo and his colleagues and their vote for Resolution urging Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, New York City workers have acquired an important weapon in the fight for economic justice."

DC 37 Organizing Director Edgar DeJesus added, "The plight of New York City parks workers employed by the Central Park Conservancy is a perfect example of why we need the Employee Free Choice Act. These hard-working men and women help maintain one of the city's crown jewels. They see what union membership does for their unionized colleagues. They want to join DC 37, but as soon as their employer found out that they were signing union cards, he launched a vicious anti-union campaign using fear tactics, misinformation and lies. The EFCA would give workers the protection they need and the freedom of choice they deserve."

The Council passed the resolution by a wide margin.

DC 37 is New York City's largest public employee union, representing 125,000 members and 50,000 retirees.