Local 888’s outgoing president, Brenda Rodrigues, was feted at a Zoom retirement event — which was attended by members, public officials and labor leaders. Speakers took note of her contributions to Local 888, the SEIU and the labor movement in general,
“Brenda has been a great leader” who has spoken out against workplace injustice and walked picket lines to show solidarity with other unions, said Anita Christon, who was just re-elected recording secretary of Local 888. “She has helped many Local 888 chapters unite and win good contracts.”
Susan Nicastro, a Brockton City Councilor, added her praise of Rodrigues’ work ethic. “When she says she will do something, there’s not a lot of fanfare, she just does it.” Nicastro said she had been fortunate to work with Rodrigues on behalf of the Brockton Public Library Foundation and the Democratic Party City Committee.
Other speakers at the April 21 event added their praises.
“You went to work at the Brockton Public Library 40 years ago,” said Mary Kay Henry, president of the SEIU, commenting on Rodrigues.. “You had the guts to stick your neck out and to organize a union. And you have been making your mark on the labor movement ever since.”
The top SEIU official praised Rodrigues for her Local 888 leadership after the anti-union Janus ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court undermined public sector unions: “You rolled up your sleeves — and your leadership was key to Local 888’s ability not only to survive, but to thrive,”
Henry noted that the challenges didn’t stop there. The pandemic and the resultant economic crisis threw up many challenges for Local 888.
She credited Rodrigues and Local 888 with bargaining to protect members’ livelihoods and creating new programs, such as online member trainings. (For more info on member trainings, see https://www.seiu888.org/2020/10/08/taking-on-a-new-way-for-member-orientation/.)
Before being elected president in 2018, Rodrigues had served as Local 888's secretary-treasurer and as a board member.
Several public officials presented citations to Rodrigues. For example, Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan’s proclamation was for her years of service on behalf of Local 888 and her commitment to “improve the quality of public service within the city and in the commonwealth.”
Also in attendance were state Sen. Mike Brady (D-Brockton), who presented a congratulatory proclamation from the Senate and state Rep. Gerry Cassidy (D-Brockton), who presented one from the House along with Rep. Michelle DuBois (D-Brockton).
In addition, Harris Gruman, executive director of the SEIU Massachusetts State Council and Steve Tolman, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO spoke in honor of Rodrigues.