Senate Resolution No. 1831

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMENDING Local 372 NYC Board of Education
Employees upon the occasion of hosting its Annual
Scholarship Dinner Dance on May 3, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of
and publicly acknowledge organizations and individuals of worthy purpose
whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in the great City
and State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Local 372 NYC Board of Education Employees upon the occasion of
hosting its Annual Scholarship Dinner Dance on Wednesday, May 3, 2017,
aboard the Hornblower Infinity Yacht; and

WHEREAS, Founded by lunch worker Harry Gray, Local 372 is comprised
of approximately 23,000 New York City Board of Education Employees
working together for the benefit of its members and the children of New
York City public schools; and

WHEREAS, Harry Gray was a worker and a fighter who truly believed in
the power of people and the power of unions; in 1941, he began
organizing other workers who talked about forming a union; two years
later, his goal came to fruition when his "union talk" unified 500
Central Kitchen workers; and

WHEREAS, As more people got involved, the organizing efforts grew;
Goodman "Goddie" Kerstein took over Harry's role and kept the momentum
going, leading to the organization of not only the workers of Central
Kitchen, but also the lunch workers in elementary schools; as more and
more people joined the effort, Local 372 NYC Board of Education
Employees was officially established; and

WHEREAS, In 1945, the members of Local 372 won their first pay
increase of 15 cents, bringing them from 50 cents an hour to 65 cents an
hour; the members also negotiated 20 vacation days and 12 sick days for
all monthly/annual workers; and

WHEREAS, In 1946, members won the right to participate in the Board
of Education retirement program; additionally, full-time workers' pay
week was cut from 42 hours to 37.5 hours with no decrease in pay; and

WHEREAS, Since 2002, Local 372 has raised significant funding for
scholarships to help children of members who are pursuing college
degrees; many of these children are the first in their families to
attend college; and

WHEREAS, The success of the City and State of New York, and of our
nation, depends on organizations such as Local 372 NYC Board of
Education Employees and its members who have dedicated their lives to
nurturing our most precious resource, our children; and

WHEREAS, Labor unions, through the integrity and dedication of their
leadership, have assumed an essential and integral role in ensuring the
welfare, safety and economic stability of the workers of this State and
Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Local 372 NYC Board of Education Employees upon the occasion of
hosting its Annual Scholarship Dinner Dance on May 3, 2017; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Shaun D. Francois I, President, Local 372 NYC Board of
Education Employees.