Fire Dispatcher Union, '371' Go Green for AG

Fire Dispatcher Union, '371' Go Green for AG

By HOWARD MEGDAL

Former Public Advocate Mark Green got a boost in his campaign to capture the Democratic nomination for State Attorney General when five city unions endorsed his candidacy on the steps of City Hall last week.

MARK GREEN: Gains labor support. Among the endorsers were David Rosenzweig of the Uniformed Fire Alarm Dispatchers Benevolent Association; Charles Ensley, president of District Council 37's Local 371, which represents the city's child care and social workers, and Stuart Leibowitz, president of DC 37's Retirees Association.

'Took Giuliani Down'

Mr. Rosenzweig said Mr. Green's support of his union in its fight with Mayor Rudy Giuliani, whose administration attempted to eliminate many of the city's fire alarm boxes, demonstrated the qualities he sought in a candidate. "His total effort helped to save the fire alarm boxes in New York City," Mr. Rosenzweig said in a May 3 phone interview. "He's one of the few people who took Giuliani down."

Mr. Leibowitz focused on a victory Mr. Green won on the issue of Medicare Part B in July 2001. Mr. Green helped persuade the City Council to override Mayor Giuliani's veto, and restore the city's 100-percent reimbursement to seniors of their premiums paid for the program.

"He was a great supporter for seniors on the issue," Mr. Leibowitz said in a May 3 phone interview. "But don't get me wrong: he's been a supporter of ours down the line."

"This is an easy and positive endorsement because we've worked with and know Mark for a decade," Mr. Ensley said at the press conference. "He cares deeply both about children in need and about the rights of social workers."

Mr. Green faces a six-person field for the nomination, with former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Andrew Cuomo the frontrunner. The primary will be held Sept. 12.