Praises Spitzer Priorities
DC 37 Backs State Health-Care Budget

By MEREDITH KOLODNER

One day after tens of thousands of private hospital workers jammed the streets outside Governor Spitzer's office protesting his proposed budget cuts, District Council 37 officials stood alongside the Governor to praise that same health-care budget.

MAF MISBAH UDDIN: Effusive about Governor.

Union officials and hospital workers joined Mr. Spitzer at a press conference at Elmhurst Hospital March 16 to laud his commitment to public health care. City labor leaders said that they saw nothing divisive about proclaiming their support publicly even as 1199 SEIU, which represents workers in the city's private hospitals, is locked in a battle over the Governor's proposal to cut $1 billion in state health care funding.

'You're the Man'

"We are bringing our support to you," said DC 37 Treasurer Maf Misbah Uddin, speaking on behalf of Executive Director Lillian Roberts, who was ill. "You are the man, you are the Governor, and District Council 37 is with you."

DC 37 locals represent 15,000 workers in the city's public health-care system, and union leaders said that after years of threatened cuts, they were relieved at the change of course.

ARTHUR CHELIOTES: Fair to public hospitals.

"The reason we are standing with you is that for the last 12 years, we have never been able to support the budget," said Togba Porte, second vice president of Local 420, "but we are here today to say that we support the budget of this Governor."

The city's Health and Hospital Corporation would lose $32 million if the Governor's budget passed, according to HHC officials. But union officials said the spending plan would benefit city residents.

'Puts Patients First'

"This is the first budget prepared by a Governor that I can remember that puts patients first," said Ralph Palladino, a vice president of Local 1549, who spoke in place of President Eddie Rodriguez, who like Local 420 President Carmen Charles had a prior commitment.

Elmhurst Hospital workers with green DC 37 t-shirts draped around their shoulders and across their chests applauded vigorously for Mr. Spitzer's spending priorities.

The Governor praised Councilwoman Helen Sears and State Senator John Sabini, who both spoke in favor of the budget, for their support. "Sometimes it takes courage to go out there articulating what is right and good for the community against powerful political forces," he said.

The Governor refrained from the harsh language that has pervaded the debate between himself and some opponents of his health-care cuts.

'Rewarding HHC'

"We have to reallocate resources and we all know that when you do that, there's some discomfort and that causes some people to protest and object, and that's fine," he said.

Mr. Spitzer noted that Elmhurst Hospital would receive an additional $6.5 million if his budget passed. "A system like HHC that provides great care to so many individuals is a great system and we should reward it, and HHC is rewarded in this budget," he said.

Union officials attending the event said they did not believe their support was a problem in terms of labor unity.

"I don't think there will be divisions," said Mr. Uddin. "We are representing our members. If you remember, 1199 in previous elections supported Pataki because he had a deal with them for $1 billion dollars for [that union's] members. We did not even support [Pataki], and that did not create a rift, so I think this should not create a rift."

Other officials said their support was based on issues larger than membership representation.

'What System's About'

"I think it goes beyond who the employer is, it goes to what the health system is about," said Arthur Cheliotes, president of Local 1180 of the Communications Workers of America.

He said he understood 1199's protest, but that his union nonetheless supported the Governor's approach. "We feel that the public hospitals have demonstrated that they support the communities who need health care," he said. "So why shouldn't they be getting their fair share? Why would we be opposed to that?"