WHEREAS:
Lillian Roberts was a fearless, tenacious, trailblazing and history-making labor leader who dedicated her life to fighting for working people as an AFSCME member, International Vice President and Executive Director of District Council 37 (DC 37); and
WHEREAS:
Lillian Roberts’ activism began as a shop steward while working as a nurse’s aide at the University of Chicago Hospital, where she organized psychiatric hospital workers in Illinois; and
WHEREAS:
In 1964, Lillian Roberts was elected the first Black woman to serve as an AFSCME International Vice President, breaking barriers and paving the way for generations of labor leaders; and
WHEREAS:
After joining DC 37 in New York City, Lillian Roberts helped lead the successful welfare workers’ strike and organized 20,000 hospital workers, transforming DC 37 into one of the nation’s most influential labor organizations and a powerful force in New York politics; and
WHEREAS:
While organizing mental health care workers, Lillian Roberts was jailed by New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller for defying the no-strike provisions of the Taylor Law. She served 11 days in jail after receiving the harshest sentence imposed under the law, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to workers’ rights; and
WHEREAS:
Lillian Roberts helped found the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists in 1972 and, in 1981, became the first Black woman to serve as New York State Industrial Commissioner, overseeing the enforcement of labor laws and advancing protections for workers across the state; and
WHEREAS:
Lillian Roberts was a skilled coalition builder who, during New York City’s 1975 fiscal crisis, united labor unions to help avert financial collapse, preserving collective bargaining rights, protecting tens of thousands of public service jobs and helping rescue America’s largest city from bankruptcy; and
WHEREAS:
Lillian Roberts returned to DC 37 in 2002 to lead the union during a pivotal period, continuing to organize workers, fight outsourcing and privatization and negotiate historic contracts. During her tenure as executive director, she established enduring member programs, including the DC 37 Education Fund, Municipal Employees Legal Services and the Municipal Employees Housing Program; and
WHEREAS:
Throughout her more than 70 years in the labor movement, and until her passing this summer at the age of 98, Lillian Roberts exemplified extraordinary courage, vision and unwavering commitment to working people, inspiring generations of leaders and demonstrating that unions are a powerful force for justice in every corner of American life.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME recognizes the life, legacy and vision of our sister, Lillian Roberts, a transformative leader within AFSCME and the labor movement; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will continue her fight to organize strong unions, win good contracts, provide safe workplaces and ensure fair treatment on the job; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That AFSCME, in partnership with DC 37, will continue to honor Lillian Roberts through the Lillian Roberts Endowed Scholarship at the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies to help AFSCME members and their children pursue their goals of higher education.
SUBMITTED BY: Henry Garrido, President and Delegate
AFSCME District Council 37
New York