By MIKE LEE The Lillian Roberts Women’s Leadership Academy graduated its third cohort on June 19. The LRWLA, normally an in-person, six-month program that requires participants to dedicate a full Saturday, once a month for the duration of the program, was held virtually due to COVID. Claire Menelas, Assistant Director of the DC 37 Ed Fund, said that with an overwhelming response, the program was split into two cohorts, with the next program scheduled to begin this September. The program, held in collaboration with the American Federation of State, City and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), District Council 37’s national union, the LRWLA is a leadership program designed to support and develop female workers to become leaders in their professions, their union, and in their communities. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was converted into a 14-week course, and the first fully only-online class. Participants dedicated three hours to the online class facilitated by Dr. Anika Daniels-Osaze. Menelas co-facilitated on DC 37-centered information, including a General Shop Steward course. Also participating was AFSCME’s Yolanda Medina, Director of Education and Leadership Training, and Tsika Paspanodya, Education Coordinator. Named in honor of long-time DC 37 leader and former Executive Director Lillian Roberts, the Leadership [...]— Jul 26
By DIANE S. WILLIAMS Two fast-acting DOT workers helped rescue a driver from a burning SUV in a fatal crash July 10, on the Staten Island Expressway. The Department of Transportation crew was making road repairs Saturday around 8:30 a.m. on the Brooklyn-bound highway leading to the Verrazano Bridge. “The SUV was traveling in the high-occupancy lane on the left when it hit the wall with such force that it crossed three lanes and stopped near the work zone where we were,” said Assistant City Highway Repairer Michael Sasso, a DOT employee since 2013. “It happened so fast. How no other cars were hit is a mystery.” Sasso and coworker Eusi Pickering, a Local 376 Highway Repairer, ran to the wreckage to find an unconscious driver slumped across the front seats of his Buick. Sasso said, “The OnStar operator called 911 as we worked to figure out what to do.” The SUV started to leak fluid and the engine began to smoke. Sasso and Pickering raced against time to help the driver. They assumed he was alive as they pulled him from the car. “We decided to move him because we thought he would burn if we left him in [...]— Jul 16
By DIANE S. WILLIAMS Local 983 is working around the clock to build union membership in a massive campaign to enroll 1,500 new City Seasonal Aides. The Parks Department hired the CSAs to clean up public parks across the five boroughs. “Our grievance reps are working 15-hour days in order to get these newest Parks employees to join the union,” said President Joe Puleo. Since June, the local has signed up about 1,000 members as part of their all-out effort. During the COVID-19 lock down, New York City residents are using neighborhood parks, beaches and boardwalks, urban forests and nature trails more than ever. These greenspaces are essential to the well-being of New Yorkers seeking reprieve from the confines of their apartments and homes. But in 2020 and throughout the pandemic, public parks quickly became overrun with trash and debris. DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido, local union leaders and the Play Fair Coalition of parks advocates successfully lobbied City Hall to increase the Parks Department budget to $603 million. City Hall added $117 million to pay for more staff, cleaning and maintenance. “The Parks Department launched a citywide cleanup that includes converting Jobs Training Participants to City Seasonal Aides. [...]— Jul 16
By MIKE LEE Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, DC 37’s essential workers stood tall in serving the public under the most difficult situations the city has ever faced. Communities throughout New York City suffered, both from the unprecedented health crisis and the economic dislocation that it created. Two-thirds of the union’s 150,000 workers were deemed essential and went to work in-person every day. Some paid the ultimate price for their sacrifice. Our essential workers were not our only heroes, however. Other DC 37 members went above and beyond in taking the time to help at-risk communities; volunteering to help those most in need. Their contributions were vital in keeping people whole. A prime example has been the work of Local 2627 member Elias Barreto. Barreto, a 20-year veteran of the Department of Transportation in Internet Technologies, stepped forward with others to help his community. He volunteered his services for 14 months. While serving as Deputy Director of Application Development, he was able to focus his energies two-fold, both on his important work at the Department of Transportation and helping communities in desperate need of help during the pandemic. “I volunteered since I was a kid because my aunt and uncle are [...]— Jul 9
By DIANE S. WILLIAMS A group grievance filed on behalf of Licensed Creative Arts Therapists in Local 768 was settled in May. The union recouped about $10,000 in total retroactive pay owed to four Bellevue Hospital therapists who were not paid RIPs, recurring incremental payments, from 2017 to 2019. “The local filed the group grievance for these members to enforce the terms of the contract that provide RIPs after two years of service,” said Local 768 President Carmen de Leon. The licensed therapists use art and music to help patients heal. Their skills are especially useful as patients and Bellevue Hospital staff cope with increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The therapists contacted the union when they realized the Payroll Department failed to add the RIPs to their biweekly paychecks in March 2017. Council Rep Joel Vera Viera filed the group grievance that initially included 10 therapists. Linda Ruiz, a Local 768 delegate and shop steward, collected all the data and kept the lines of communication open between the union members, the union leadership and Bellevue management. “Throughout the grievance process we sorted out eligibility as not all grievants were entitled to the differential,” explained Viera. “In the end, four therapists [...]— Jul 8
