Union leader whips
members into shape

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

As president of District Council 47, Cathy Scott heads a union with about 6,500 members.
It’s a diverse membership. Workers range from cafeteria employees at the University of Pennsylvania to keepers at the Philadelphia Zoo.
"And everything else in between," Scott said.
Scott, who lives with her husband John on Chandler Street in Fox Chase, was elected to a three-year term as president of the union last September. She captured 61 percent of the vote in a three-way race.
The union had been led since 1980 by Thomas Paine Cronin, who became a familiar face to Philadelphians as DC 47 battled various mayors during contract negotiations.
Scott was part of most of the Cronin years, serving as a full-time union official beginning in 1983.
At least so far, Scott has not become the household name that Cronin was, despite the fact that DC 47’s contract expired on Monday.
The contracts for police officers, firefighters and District Council 33 also expired on Monday, and Mayor Michael Nutter and union leaders have generally agreed not to negotiate in public.
The mayor and the unions have a good working relationship, despite their lack of support for Nutter in last year’s primary. DC 47 backed U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah because of his commitment to address poverty.
There is no talk of strikes or layoffs, and it’s possible the 22,000 unionized city workers will not have to accept givebacks, despite the rising cost of pension and health benefits.
DC 47 and 33, both members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), are extending their contracts later into the summer until an agreement is reached.
Police officers and firefighters are prohibited by law from striking. Their contracts will be decided in arbitration.
Scott has wielded influence at DC 47 for a quarter-century as a union official, but the presidency affords her the opportunity to push her priorities.
"It’s very exciting having the job," she said.
Last week, just before a scheduled contract negotiating session, Scott called a news conference at DC 47 headquarters at 1606 Walnut St. The topic had nothing to do with the negotiations.
Instead, Scott outlined perhaps her top priority — a wellness initiative to address common, preventable health conditions.
"I’ve been a strong wellness advocate," she said.
The union will provide $2 million for the program, administered by its health and welfare fund. In Scott’s view, DC 47 has a responsibility to maintain a healthy workforce.
Scott has worked on the initiative for all 10 months she’s been in office. The union has held focus groups with members and met with officials at Independence Blue Cross.
Among those speaking at the launch were Marlene Henkin, a special assistant in the state Department of Health, DC 47 vice president Rita Urwitz and union members Jean Merritt and Yvonne Boye.
All agree that DC 47 is ahead of the curve of what they expect to be a burgeoning wellness movement nationwide.
The focus will be on the following eight areas: nutrition and weight control; exercise and fitness; smoking and tobacco cessation; stress, anxiety and depression reduction; lowering of elevated blood pressure; reduction of abnormal cholesterol; blood sugar regulation; and cancer screening and preventive healthcare.
The program is free for members, who will complete a health risk assessment to prioritize actions to promote improved health.
Available resources will include scales, pedometers, glucometers, wrist weights, knee braces and walking shoes. There will be incentives such as clothing allowances, cash, rebates and gift certificates.
The union will work with the city Department of Public Health to encourage all citizens of Philadelphia to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Work sites will see reduced absenteeism and greater productivity if individuals try to prevent chronic and acute illnesses, the union believes. The focus should not be on sick care and disease management.
"What we really need to have is a focus on wellness," Scott said.
Scott, who turned 63 last month, has worked her way up the DC 47 ladder to be able to set wellness atop the union agenda.
A 1963 graduate of Little Flower High School, she earned a sociology degree from Penn State and served four years as a case worker for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
In 1971, she became a city social worker. By 1983, she was working full time for the union. In 1993, she was elected head of Local 2187, representing librarians, recreation leaders and others. She was part of several strikes as an employee and union official.
Scott retired in May 2007, four months before winning the union presidency.
The union leader was also victorious in April of this year, when she ran as a delegate for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in the 13th Congressional District in the Pennsylvania primary.
This will be her first time as a delegate. She was an alternate in 1988 and served on the platform committee in 1992. She’ll attend the convention, set for Aug. 25-28 in Denver.
"I’m excited about that," she said.
Clinton has dropped out of the presidential contest and thrown her support to fellow Democratic Sen. Barack Obama.
Though Clinton delegates will still be able to cast their votes for her at the convention, the losing candidates traditionally call on their delegates to ultimately side with the winner, making the nomination unanimous.
Scott is OK with that scenario.
"My commitment is for a Democratic president in November," she said. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com