When I met Norman Seabrook

Upon hearing about the recent arrest and indictment of Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association President Norman Seabrook, I immediately thought of the oft-used phrase “a Greek tragedy.” It’s important to point out that Seabrook has a presumption of innocence and, as U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara indicated, the charges are allegations that have to be proved in a court of law.

I met Norman decades ago when I was a City Council member and a very active member of the Council’s Public Safety Committee, which had oversight over the Correction Department. I took a strong interest in the plight of correction officers who were forced to work double shifts, causing some to be literally asleep on their feet.

As a Public Safety Committee member I had the privilege of making unannounced visits to Rikers Island. I took full advantage, making a number of trips and talking to correction officers who confided in me about the toll of mandatory overtime. I began to take the Correction Department to task over the practice because of the adverse impact it had on the officers and inmates. I publicized this problem by writing an opinion piece in Newsday, holding press conferences and demanding hearings. I also attempted to enlist the union leadership of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association to garner support for ending this dangerous policy. However, my calls to then-COBA President Stan Israel (now deceased) to join me at press conferences fell on deaf ears. He simply would not show up or express any interest in the issue, despite the outcry from his members.

I did, however, hear from a young correction officer who worked on Rikers Island named Norman Seabrook. He asked if he could join me at my press conferences. My impression of him was immediately favorable. He was articulate, sincere, smart and had a compelling handle on the stress the officers were under. I told him he could join the press conferences and he was very effective driving home the difficult work conditions his colleagues labored under. Additionally, he would call me at home to tip me off to the latest travesty that was taking place on Rikers Island. Although at the time I did not know he was aiming to challenge the incumbent president of the union, I wasn’t surprised that he became a candidate and waged a successful campaign. I was also moved when he asked me to preside over his swearing in as president.

Norman had all the hallmarks of an idealistic champion for his members. He truly knew the job, understood the concerns of his members, and could convey them to the public, press and public officials. What also impressed me about Seabrook was that this was a talented man from a hardscrabble background, who, against all the odds, became the head of the largest municipal correction union in the country. He has many critics in and out of the labor movement and without passing judgement on the merits of the critiques, even his staunchest antagonists will acknowledge that he is a very effective labor leader. Under his leadership and political savvy he significantly improved the compensation and benefits of New York City correction officers.

Human beings are complicated and 21 years as the head of a large labor organization brings with it many temptations. However, I prefer to remember the idealistic young correction officer who would call me at home because he was concerned about his brothers and sisters and wanted to improve their working conditions.

Sal Albanese is a former New York City Councilman.