Honor Local 372 Scholarship Dinner

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.