[ November 2021 ] Executive Board Elections

Out of the 1,097 ballots were mailed, 403 valid ballots were received by the American Arbitration Association (AAA). Voting increased by 176 ballots between this election and the April 2021 trustee election. Below, winners are underlined and bolded. 'RRF' = Rose Rank and File Slate (in purple) and 'HH' = Higher Heights Slate.

President: Digna Motta, RRF [196 votes] vs. Deborah Allman, HH [204 votes]

VP, Librarians: John Fahs, RRF [233 votes] vs. Luz Marin, HH [162 votes]

VP , Library Tech Assistant: John Cordovez [219 votes] vs.  Anthony Wyche, HH [179 votes]

VP, Clerical: Amanda Ayala-Castro, RRF [225 votes] vs. Leslie Brown, HH [172 votes]

Secretary-Treasurer: Shabana Noorhassan, RRF [246 votes] vs. Nina E. Manning, HH [152 votes]

Recording-Secretary: Michelle Perez, RRF [224 votes] vs. Asuncion Cora, HH [169 votes]

Librarian Rep, Branch: Genee Bright, RRF → ran unopposed, automatically appointed to role

Librarian Rep, Research: Miguel Rosales, HH → ran unopposed, automatically appointed to role

Information Assistant Rep: Dia Carter, RRF [221 votes] vs. Omar Escabi, HH [173 votes]

Clerical Rep: Norman Rivera, RRF [232 votes] vs. Regina Valentine, HH [164 votes]

Library Technical Assistant Rep: Lillian Cohen, HH → ran unopposed, automatically appointed to role

Research Representative: Tamika Gregory, HH → ran unopposed, automatically appointed to role

Bronx Rep: Alexandra Nader, RRF [228 votes] vs. Chandra Best, HH [169 votes]

Manhattan Rep: Sabrina Jesram, RRF [234 votes] vs. Velda Asbury, HH [165 votes]

Staten Island Rep: Position currently vacant

DIGNA MOTTA for PRESIDENT
28 Years at NYPL • Library Information Assistant, Grand Central Library • Position formerly held by Val Colon; Acting president Deborah Allman elected

Hi, I am Digna A Motta. I started my career as a page and am currently an IA (Information Assistant) at Grand Central but located at Webster. I am running for President of Local 1930 because I believe that we need a better local. A local that listens to the members and is willing to fight for the betterment of all, not a selected few. I want to be the President that I wish we had for the last 10 years. A President that is willing to hear and empathizes with their members. A President that is not going to forget where they came from and what they are fighting for. A President that is dedicated to bringing more education opportunities. Better communication and transparent Union for all.  Fun Fact: I am a huge Boyz II Men fan. I even named my youngest daughter, Natalie, after one of them. I have all their CDs, even the ones in Spanish.

JOHN FAHS for VP, LIBRARIANS  → [ ELECTED! ]
15 Years at NYPL • Adult Librarian, LB Services, Programs & Outreach, Andrew Heiskell Library • Position formerly vacant

I am eager to be a part of change in how the local has been run for the past 30+ years. I would emphasize political action over party planning and the expensive private events traditionally held exclusively for the Executive Board and their guests. I will advocate for more accurate representation of member titles and support the use of shop stewards to prevent the widespread problem of out-of-title duties being assigned. As someone who is not a supervisor, I have a better perspective on our rank and file member's needs than the current officers. I would work to reinstate the right to due process in disciplinary hearings that has been stripped from site manager union members. I would advocate to reinstate the local's education committee and the scholarship money that used to be given out by the local.  I support democratizing our District Council of AFSCME by taking the vote for the President of DC 37 away from the local presidents and giving it to our members. Fun Fact: I am starting to record audio books for the blind at the Andrew Heiskell Library in my spare time and just finished doing "Howl and Other Poems" by Alan Ginsberg.

AMANDA AYALA-CASTRO for VP, CLERICAL → [ ELECTED! ]
28 Years at NYPL • Senior Collections Processing Associate, Shared Services Selection and Ordering, BookOps • Position formerly held by Louise Stamp

My commitment is to bring about fair and equitable changes such as better representation, dignity and respect for all members, and most importantly build the trust between our Union and members, which has declined over the years. As a union member and employee of 28 years, I bring the experience necessary to navigate our union through these tough times. I plan to break the chain and I will actively stand with the members of this union and not hide in the background while issues and events progress.  I will make this local stronger by having the union visible with representation at all worksites not just in selected locations. This will bring strength to our local, and real union strength comes from effective member participation and communication.  I’m also a leader who inspires new ideas, and because I believe in our local Membership, I will make the effort to involve members in every aspect of our union decision making and make sure that employees are represented and acknowledged during contract negotiations. I will ensure that I focus on giving back to our members. By creating and using technology to report complaints, workplace violations, grievances and inquiries. Also have a more user-friendly, complete makeover of our local website with updated information. Improve representation for members by having sufficient Shop Steward’s available to represent members and end the prolonged wait. Together we can restore PRIDE and UNITY in our UNION.

SHABANA NOORHASSAN for SECRETARY-TREASURER → [ ELECTED! ]
24 Years at NYPL • Secretary II, Andrew Heiskell Library • Position formerly held by Nina Manning

I am running for a position on the Executive Board because I would like to see a positive change! Most importantly, to stop the mismanagement of members’ union dues. The most important issue to me is  the financial transparency of the union.  If elected, I will seek an audit of the Treasury Report.  I will investigate and update Union members on the maturity dates and interest rates of all the current certificates of deposits. I will advocate for full detailed descriptions of all expenses that are undisclosed to members. Having worked with the Purchasing department, Finance department and Accounting department, I have the skills we need clean up our union's finances. I want to empower and make members aware of exactly how their union dues are being used. Fun Fact: I’d like to go whale watching one day, and I love anything having to do with water and nature.

MICHELLE PEREZ for RECORDING SECRETARY → [ ELECTED! ]
26 Years at NYPL • Collections Processing Assistant II, Acquisitions, BookOps • Position formerly held by Leslie Brown

My name is Michelle Perez and I’ve been working for the New York Public Library for 26 years: 20 years full-time and 6 years as a Page/Senior Page. I have experience working in various departments, starting in ACS and BLIS, then moving over to Bind and Processing and finally Acquisitions, where I work as a Collections Processing Assistant II. Through my coursework, including the executive secretary course, I gained essential communication skills, organizational skills, coordination, and decision-making skills. People at my workplace will tell you I am a person who is always willing to learn and help others. I am running for Recording Secretary because I believe we need a change. It is time for new perspectives and to have union leaders that want to help all Local 1930 workers at the library. Fun Facts: I love to travel all over the world and have been to Europe, the Caribbean, and Mexico. I speak and understand Spanish and some Italian. I love to help the community as much, as I can and regularly help fundraise for different causes.

GENEE BRIGHT for BRANCH LIBRARIAN REP → [ ELECTED! ]
8 Years at NYPL • YA Librarian, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library • Position formerly vacant

I am running for the Executive Board because I want NYPL's working conditions to improve so that its employees can feel appreciated and valued in the essential work they provide in research skills, critical literacy, and information ethics. I care about the union providing better support, communication, visibility, and an improved web presence for union members to view union information. Learn more about me at www.geneebright.com!

DIA CARTER for INFORMATION ASSISTANT REP → [ ELECTED! ]
23 Years at NYPL • Library Information Assistant, LB Services, Programs & Outreach, Andrew Heiskell Library • Position formerly held by Omar Escabi 

I am running for the executive board to establish and strengthen interpersonal communications between the local and its members, to repair the distrust between the local and its members by building a better transparent relationship using various platforms, and to encourage members to become proactive in all Union matters. The issues I care about most include the inequality of titles represented on the Executive Board for 25+ years. I will fight to stop representational disparities of the local1930 Executive Board. I will fight to stop unnecessary and wasteful spending of members' money and push those funds for Union education for members. I will fight to hold NYPL accountable for all branch violations. I will advocate for more Shop Stewards to assist in disciplinary hearings. Fun Fact: In my off-time I learn skills in masonry and carpentry, and enjoy a mystery audiobook.

NORMAN RIVERA for CLERICAL REP → [ ELECTED! ]
23 Years at NYPL • Office Aide III, Epiphany Library • Position formerly held by Regina Valentine

Hi. My name is Norman F. Rivera, I have worked for NYPL for 23 years, and I'm running for the Clerical Representative position for the Executive Board because we need more transparency in our union. For too long, our Local 1930 members have experienced lack of openness from the current executive board. I want to work toward regaining the trust of our members. I will advocate for those unable or afraid to speak. It's time to recommit to creating a better union. It's time to take our union back. Fun Fact: I enjoy sports and old vintage films. 

ALEXANDRA NADER for BRONX REP → [ ELECTED! ]
14 Years at NYPL • Adult Librarian, Bronx Library Center •  Position formerly held by Irma Cancel

Hi, this is Alexandra Nader. I have worked for NYPL for 14 years, always in the Bronx. I am running for a position on the Executive Board because the Union has done so much to support me and I want to give back. Management has tried to make me feel powerless several times in my time at NYPL and the union helped me feel capable of fighting them off. I have been successful and I want to share that with my union siblings. Having spent many years in the private sector prepared me to reframe the argument to my advantage and I can teach you all to do the same. Fun Fact: I was born in Beirut, Lebanon.

SABRINA JESRAM for MANHATTAN REP → [ ELECTED! ]
21 Years at NYPL • Library Information Assistant, Grand Central Library • Position formerly held by Velda Asbury

My name is Sabrina Jesram, and I have worked for NYPL since August 2000.  I am running Manhattan Representative because we need change. Union members were mistreated during the pandemic. We need to stand up and "not anymore!"  We need change and we need it now more than ever. Together we're stronger. Fun Fact: I speak 7 different languages.