FINAL Message from thIS Chapter Leader

This will be my final message to you as chapter leader. I will be retiring as a laboratory specialist effective July 1, therefore I cannot continue to be the chapter leader. Elections will be held soon.

June 1 will mark my 10th year of serving as your chapter leader. The last 10 years have been a great experience for me. I would like to highlight some of those experiences.
I was able to hold some very informative chapter meetings with guest speakers from the various offices of the UFT. The Health and Safety department of the UFT has helped me bring to you the staff development training each January. I think you will agree that training is far superior to what was offered to our members previously by the city.
The cooperative effort we have with the International Chemical Workers Union in presenting our chemical emergency spill response training has expanded our professional development. This training is the first paid training for our chapter members.
Five years ago the chapter was awarded the Trachtenberg Award. This was a first for our chapter.
My participation in the fact-finding process that the UFT engaged in for the previous contract impressed me with the effectiveness of our union leadership. I have no doubt that the leadership will be successful in the current negotiations.
Marching in the Labor Day parade (yes, there is a Labor Day parade) gave new meaning to the word solidarity.
It was my pleasure to represent you as a delegate to the New York State United Teachers Representative Assembly and the American Federation of Teachers conventions over the past number of years.

I will continue to work with the UFT health and safety department. I will be continuing the laboratory inspections and will still be involved in developing and presenting the January staff development training sessions. I will be also be organizing and training at the ICWU chemical spill response course in August. I will continue to see you at these sessions.

I would like to thank UFT staff Chris Proctor, Ellie Engler, Tom Pappas, Michael Mendel, Howard Solomon and Leo Casey and the Communications staff for their untiring help and assistance during my 10 years as chapter leader.

I would also like to thank all of you for your support over the years.

See you at the Labor Day Parade.

Sincerely,
Catherine Henihan