Local 237 President Carl Haynes announced the promotions of four union officials, which took effect May 1. Mal Patterson was named director of the Citywide Division, succeeding Gregory Floyd, who had been serving as both director of that division and secretary-treasurer of Local 237 since being elected to the Executive Board in January 2005. Patterson, a Local 237 veteran of 26 years, was previously deputy director of Citywide’s civilian unit.



Donald Arnold was named director of both the Citywide and Housing Divisions’ Skilled Trades Department and the Health and Safety Department. Arnold, previously deputy director of the Prevailing Wage Division, has served as a union representative for 11 years.

Pete Gutierrez, previously an assistant director of Citywide’s law enforcement unit, was named deputy director, and Randy Klein, previously a Citywide business agent, became assistant director. Gutierrez, a union representative for about 23 years, and a member for more than 30 years, is a former hospital police officer and U.S. Air Force veteran. Klein has been a union representative for seven years, and he has 25 years experience as a city employee, formerly a supervisor of stock workers, a shop steward and grievance rep at the Sanitation Department.

Citywide Assistant Director Al Soto was promoted in February 2003 and retains his position. Appointed a business agent in 1992, Soto has been a Local 237 member for more than 30 years and is a former hospital police officer.

The promotions signal advancements that will “benefit all members,” said President Haynes, adding, “I am pleased to acknowledge the outstanding performance of these dedicated officials by entrusting them with even greater responsibilities and opportunities to serve our union.”