Second That Emotion

To the Editor:

I am writing a brief response to the letter written by Fitz Reid, executive vice president of District Council 37, Local 768. As a member of Local 768, I must respond generally to the many inaccuracies in Mr. Reid's letter to The Chief.

It is unfortunate that Mr. Reid has used much of his time to criticize the many great strides that Local 768 and DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts have made to represent the membership of Local 768. As for the reference to Lillian Roberts's salary, this was voted on by the delegates of the council (please note Mr. Reid is a delegate).

"Perhaps his recollection of how the local negotiated wage increases for the members based on the last two city contracts fails him. Perhaps he is not aware of the current negotiations between DC 37 and the city seeking a fair and equitable wage increase and overall contract for our members that reflects the rising cost of living in New York City. Mr. Reid and our members were the beneficiaries of prior wage agreements reached with the city. It should also be noted that Local 768 is in the process of addressing issues regarding an agreement reached with the city about the use of equipment in the field by Public Health Sanitarians.

Local 768 continues to aggressively fight for the benefit of all of our members in the area of worker safety, staffing, pensions, benefits and salaries. The goal of Local 768 is to continue to put the best interest of our members first by continuing to provide quality services, representation, benefits, wages and civil service promotional opportunities to all of our members. It is very evident that Mr. Fitz Reid is unable to differentiate what is vital for the success of Local 768. Instead he wants to focus on petty personal hostilities that he apparently has towards certain individuals. Local 768 will continue to do the right thing and put its members' interests first and above all else.

ALBERT WILLINGHAM