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To the editor:
It's a shame that this world does not have more people like Marianne Pizzitola and less like the union leaders and so-called progressive City Council members who betray the people they claim to represent ("The city's Medicare Advantage ruse,” The Chief, Nov. 8).
Both Democrats and union leaders are supposed to represent workers' interests. But too often, it's their own selfish interests that are their concern.
No matter how pro-worker Democratic mayors claim they are when running for office, once elected, they act like any other stingy manager. They have money for their priorities, but not to pay workers good salaries.
Union leaders do not challenge Mayor Eric Adams, just as they did not challenge Bill de Blasio on this. Instead, they are trying to fund current workers' raises by cutting retirees' health care. This also hurts current workers, at least those who don't die, resign or are fired, before retirement.
Many Council members are not progressive enough or show the courage to stand up to the extortion threats of District Council 37 Executive Director Harry Garrido, who threatened to withhold support for any Council member who supported legislation that would guarantee retirees' current health coverage. If Garrido fought that hard for his workers' salaries, perhaps there would not be so many making poverty wages.
Ultimately, these Council members need to be challenged by real friends of workers in Democratic primaries. All the union leaders supporting this Medicare Advantage scheme must be voted out by their membership. State Senator Jessica Ramos, who has a record of being worker friendly, needs to be the replacement for two-faced Eric Adams.
Richard Warren
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reenjoe
Spot-on regarding ousting "union leaders" like Garrido and Nespoli. Look at UFT Mulgrew's quick reversal on MA after members of his United Caucus were slaughtered at the ballot box by the Retiree Advocate slate.
Wednesday, November 20 Report this
DOTHERIGHTTHING
EVEN FIREMEN NEED HEROES
Sunday, November 24 Report this