By MIKE LEE

After a late night counting ballots at the DC 37 Delegates meeting on Jan. 31, union activists elected Local 1189 NYC Psychologists President Dr. Leonard Davidman to serve on the DC 37 Executive Board.

“It is a privilege to be chosen by my fellow delegates to the union’s Executive Board and to be part of the decision-making process at a critical time in labor history,” Davidman said.
Leonard Paul, President of Quasi Public Workers Local 374, nominated Davidman to fill the position.

“Dr. Davidman is a born labor leader, a kind and caring person who believes in humanity. His forward thinking places the membership of DC 37 first and foremost on the agenda. He will be an asset on the Executive Board,” Paul said.

Davidman is no stranger to union leadership. This is his second stint as a member of the Executive Board, previously serving from 2004 to 2007. Since 1994, he has been President of Local 1189, representing psychologists and mental health counselors in Health+Hospitals’ facilities, Family Court Mental Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Criminal Court Forensic Clinics, the New York Police Department, and the Department of Correction.

As Chair of the Jewish Heritage Committee, he leads the annual celebration and, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, hosted the yearly DC 37 Chanukah celebration with Local 299 member NYPD Chief Chaplain Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass.

Davidman is a committed public worker and active leader in professional associations, including the Manhattan Psychological Association and the Forensic Division of the New York State Psychological Association, which included a term as president of the Association in 2015.

In April 2022, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine honored Dr. Davidman for his 50-plus years of service as a psychologist at Health+Hospitals.

“My commitment is to take care of my patients, proudly lead Local 1189, and set an example for my colleagues and DC 37 members,” Davidman said.