Local 1549 Delegates Meeting Report (December 2024)
Local 1549 held an in-person delegates meeting on December 20, 2024 at the NYC Seminar and Conference Center for Local 1549 delegates-only. The following is a summary of business discussed at the meeting.
OPENING
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence for members who have passed away, and a recitation of the AFSCME Code of Conduct. Local 1549 and DC37 staff were recognized thereafter.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Financial report summary (link for members only)
ELECTION COMMITTEE REPORT
Ben Neuwirth, co-chair of the Local 1549 Elections Committee, gave a report stating that Anthony Lackhan won his runoff election for president of Local 1549. 1,136 ballots were cast during the election which ran from November 26, 2024 to December 20, 2024.
Candidates for Sergeants-at-Arms and Officers-at-Large will need to participate in a re-run of the election due to a printing error on the ballot which affected the results.
ADMINISTRATORSHIP UPDATE
Administrator Ryan Welles gave an update related to AFSCME Strong goals, including new member sign-ups, VMO trainings (which are currently paused), and ongoing efforts to plug membership into the union’s work.
Administrator James Howell updated delegates that Local 1549 was continuing the process of moving into the newly renovated DC 37 headquarters at 125 Barclay St.
Howell also provided a proposed Local 1549 budget for 2025, details of which are linked in the private financial report summary page.
DC 37 UPDATE
DC 37 Division Director Tracey Ziemba provided an update on MetroPlus retention bonuses, Health + Hospitals uniform requirements, and updates about bringing in members off civil service lists and making provisional employees into permanent ones.
SWEARING IN OF OFFICERS
The meeting concluded with the official swearing-in of Anthony Lackhan as president and Lisa Rhymer as 2nd vice-president in accordance with the AFSCME constitution.