For the first time in its 125-year history, the city’s largest police union has a new name.
On Jan. 8, some 400 delegates of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association voted to the change the organization’s name to Police Benevolent Association. The vote was 390-10 to adopt the new more gender-neutral name.
“This change is long overdue. Our union hasn't represented anyone with the title of ‘patrolman’ since 1973,” PBA President Patrick Lynch said. “We do, however, represent more than 24,000 New York City police officers — both men and women — who want a union that is fighting to improve their lives and working conditions now, in the 21st century. That fight is our most important tradition, and it will never change. When we hit the streets to demand fair treatment and a market wage, we will still chant ‘P-B-A.’”
A PBA official said Lynch tried to make a similar change back in 2002, three years after he was elected by the members. At that time, the delegates voted down the measure.
Article via the NY Daily News.