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Letters to the Editor
Fitz Reid's letter in the Dec. 7 issue of The Chief was filled with inaccuracies and misstatements for the purpose of discrediting the leadership of Local 768 and District Council 37 and has the appearance of sour grapes. Mr. Reid ran for various offices in the local, the most recent of which was the presidency of Local 768, without success. He seems to be reflective of a strange school of behavior which says that, although I lost I still want the office and will get it by any means necessary including lies and distortions. Let's review the record. I, along with Executive Director Lillian Roberts, am committed to the membership of both the local and the council, which can be documented through our leadership. This includes a contract which resulted in the largest ratification vote in favor of a contract in the council's history. Despite the opposition of Mr. Reid and a number of those who profess to know what the membership wants, 97 percent of the council, along with a similar number of Local 768 members, enthusiastically voted in favor of the last economic agreement, and will receive their final payment in February 2008. Fitz Reid's characterization that the council has not addressed issues regarding the equipment that Public Health Sanitarians are required to use in the field is incorrect. An agreement was reached in the past with the city on this issue. Since the agreement was negotiated, some issues have arisen which the union is attempting to resolve in labor/management discussions with the city. Mr. Reid has been involved in these discussions with the city since their inception. In addition, Local 768 and its leadership are currently working to address the many issues impacting Public Health Sanitarians, such as workplace safety and recent legislative mandates, including the monitoring of the use of trans-fats in food preparation by city restaurant establishments. An issue of special concern is the pensions and a comprehensive review of the role of the Public Health Sanitarians as workers via the Salary Review Panel, which the city agreed to in the last contract to address pay inequities in DC 37-represented titles. Unfortunately, Mr. Reid failed to inform The Chief's readers that he was present at the bargaining sessions and that he had the opportunity to raise issues impacting Local 768's membership. Our leadership continues to fight for all members of Local 768 in the areas of wages, working conditions, and benefits, and to provide quality and professional servicing and representation. The salaries of the officers of the local and the council are established by their respective executive boards, and if Mr. Reid has a problem with the process he should consult with them. The views stated in Mr. Reid's letter to The Chief are not representative of the views of the leadership of Local 768. Perhaps Mr. Reid needs to focus on his role as an officer of the local and the council and commit himself to working with the leadership for the improvement of the workers' benefits and compensation. As a member of the DC 37 executive board and president of Local 768, I can assure you that I am working hard to do just that. Let's work together before we resort to throwing stones.
DARYL RAMSEY, President, Local 768 and DC 37 Executive Board Member | |||||
