August 16, 2013
By Stephanie West
Local 372 of District 37 AFSCME, New York City Board of Education Employees, has endorsed Cathy Guerriero for Public Advocate.
"We have never had a candidate meeting that ended in a standing ovation – I have never seen anything like it. This was a first. Cathy Guerriero's support of our members, especially our Parent Coordinators, showed us that she is indeed an advocate for children in the public school system and their parents.
Cathy understands the integral part our members — school aides, health aides, lunchroom workers, parent coordinators, school crossing guards and SAPIS workers — play in ensuring that our schools run smoothly" said Pamela Armstrong, Chairperson, Local 372 Political Action Committee.
Santos Crespo, Jr., President of Local 372, said, "We know that no matter what, Cathy Guerriero will stand for us and will always be our friend. We look forward to working with her as Public Advocate because nothing is as important to us as providing the support, safety, communication and good nutrition that New York City’s public school children need in order to excel in life."
Local 372-New York City Board of Education Employees — is the largest local within District Council 37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, and represents 26,000 workers throughout New York City’s public schools.
"Education is my highest priority as a parent and a teacher, and it will be my top priority as Public Advocate,” said Guerriero. “The hard working members of Local 372 have been there for our children as parent coordinators, crossing guards, school aides and school lunch workers. They provide important services and deserve elected leaders who understand and can relate to their set of issues and challenges. As the next Public Advocate, I will demand that the next Mayor bargain in good faith with them. I will demand that the next Mayor keep the parent coordinators on the job as vital links to the parents of children in our public schools. I will stand hand-in-hand with my friends at Local 372 and work to give our children the education they deserve."
