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More ‘237’ Politics

More '237' Politics

To the Editor:

For many years, School Safety Agents have requested that the union pursue the possibility of having civil service status applied to their title, which would add respect and certainty to their job. So, it is baffling to us that Eunice Rodriguez, School Safety Agent Level 3, in her Jan. 13 letter opposes the union's action on this matter.

It is apparent that Ms. Rodriguez does not understand the issues that are important to her title. Civil service status will not only bring dignity to school safety agents, it will also provide fair promotional opportunities.

Ms. Rodriguez's statement that the union is creating a smokescreen is a political statement, not a factual statement. As stated by the article in the Dec. 30 issue of The Chief, "Mr. Floyd noted that civil service status is not a collective-bargaining issue because it does not directly involve wages."

On the issue of uniformed service status, Councilman Leroy Comrie sponsored legislation which would confer "uniformed status" on all of its peace officers who work in mayoral agencies. (The Council does not have jurisdiction over nonmayoral agencies.)

The Council passed the legislation, which was subsequently vetoed by the Mayor, overridden by the Council and challenged in court by the city, where it awaits a decision by the Appellate Court.

In addition, Local 237 had legislation passed by both the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate that would grant 3/4 disability pensions to all of its peace officers. This legislation was vetoed by Governor Pataki. We will submit similar legislation this year.

Ms. Rodriguez does a disservice to the members of Local 237 when, for her own personal politics, she distorts the facts. In a fight like this, the union must show solidarity. If she is going to continue to take the opposite side of every issue that the union undertakes to improve the lives of its members, she will find herself on the wrong side of every issue, and help prevent us from reaching our goal.

GREGORY FLOYD, Secretary-Treasurer, Teamsters Local 237