Letters to the Editor
Local 372 Leader's Tyranny

To the Editor:

I am very grateful to your newspaper for the column titled "AFSCME's Turkey Ruse" (Nov. 23 issue). As a member of Local 372, I was horrified to learn about President Montgomery-Costa's huge pay raise that was given to her by Local 372's executive committee. How can these people justify not only the large increase, but having it be retroactive to Ms. Costa's first day on the job?

My last raise in Feb. 2007 came out to only 50 cents more an hour, and I struggle to keep my head above water. What has Costa done for the members to command such a high salary with all the perks? President Costa is richer and I am poorer today than I was 10 years ago when I first started with the Board of Education. Why is she being rewarded for not protecting the members from the cost-of-living increases in NYC? The actions from President Costa and her executive board show a lack of respect and regard for the needs of the members.

How can our Local 372 survive with only 547 votes being cast for a presidential election out of 26,000-plus members? Where is the representation for the will of the majority? We must change this system of voting at one location and get more participation from the members. A mail-in ballot like the Teachers have is a good choice. I read that Ms. Costa denies the members the mail-in ballot because of the cost. Well, it is our dues, and what better way to spend our money than to reserve our right to vote at our convenience with a mail-in ballot.

It is un-American not to allow Tony Ferina, a critic of President Costa, to run for her executive board. For only 27 people to have voted in that election proves that mail ballots are needed, and something must have been corrupt with not letting Mr. Ferina run. These results are insane, and we must have a change in order to get better officials and representation for the Local 372 members.

JAMES RINALDI, Local 372 member