The Labor Day Parade was a chance for Local 1505 to shine, and shine we did! From getting blessings from Archbishop Dolan, to making some noise, we took the opportunity to celebrate all working people and DC 37’s 65th Anniversary. At the African-American Day Parade in Harlem (at right) we waved to the crowd from a DC 37 float. The theme of that parade was to elect Bill Thompson as Mayor — so don’t forget to vote! That’s me and my grand-daughter, waving at you!

HanDs On!, the newsletter of City attendants, City Debris Removers, City Park Workers and Park service Workers of the City of new York, Local 1505,

District Council 37, AFSCME is published quarterly at the Union’s Offices at 125 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10007 • Dilcy Benn, President. Alan Saly, Editor

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Local 1505125 BarclayStreetNew York, NY 10007

by Dilcy Benn, President

Optimism and Determination

A Message from Lillian Roberts

1505HANDS ON!

and other locations throughout the City. Please submit your names to me. DC 37 will provide a stipend to cover expenses. I want to extend a special thanks to all Local 1505 Shop Stewards for being my eyes and ears in the field. I encourage any member who is interested in serv-ing the local to contact me to become a a Shop Steward. Become a more active member, and help all of our Brothers and Sisters do better!

John Liu and President Dilcy Benn.

City Attendants, City Debris Removers, City Park Workers and Park Service Workers.

Sisters and Brothers,

I want to CongratuLate President Dilcy Benn and the executive Board on their recent election as leaders of Local 1505. as dedicated and hardworking members, along with your new leadership you help make DC 37 the great

union that we are. If you have been reading the Public employee Press, you know we have a big challenge ahead of us. our current mayor hands $9 billion a year of our tax money to private business con-tractors while he wipes out vital services, lays off union mem-bers and destroys the civil service system that has opened the door to upward mobility for generations of minorities, women and immigrants. Some of these private contractors are not lo-cated in new York and do not even have an office in new York. That has to change. that is why District Council 37 has endorsed mayoral candi-date Bill thompson. we need a mayor and a city administration that is more sensitive to the needs of working people, that will preserve the Civil Service system and benefits that have been achieved in the last 65 years. Bill thompson has been an ally in our fight against contract-ing out and to protect jobs. He will provide leadership that will assure the continued quality our parks and green spaces, im-prove public education, expand affordable housing, preserve health care for the poor, and protect social services vital to our members and the city’s middle class. Your local president and leadership have been working with

DC 37 on this, but we need every union member to join us in this crucial effort. Please volunteer to help get out the vote on election Day, tuesday, nov. 3rd, for Bill thompson for mayor and for DC 37’s other en-dorsed candidates. also, let your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers know how impor-tant it is that they vote in this election. DC 37’s Political action and Legislation Department is coordinating DC 37’s green Ma-chine team for the get out the Vote for working Families Cam-paign on election Day. to volunteer, please call (212) 815-1550. Your work as City attendants, City Debris removers, City Park workers and Park Service workers makes new York City’s urban parks and green spaces shine – maintaining quality places for relaxation and recreation in communities citywide. we hope you will bring that same energy and dedication to the union’s efforts election Day. together we can take back City Hall and elect a mayor who cares and who will value the municipal workforce. In solidarity, Lillian Roberts, Executive Director, DC 37

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I take oFFICe as your new Presi-dent with a great deal of optimism and determination. Let’s work to-gehter to make our lives better.

I am happy to be in this new position and I will work very hard along with my executive Board to serve our members. Feel free to call me at the Local’s office, at 212-815-1505 or, if it is an emergency, on my cellphone at 347-231-7483. You may also email me at local1505@veri-zon.net. My Board includes Vice Presi-

dent Dennis Fishley (Manhattan), Sec-retary Marley Laroche (86th Shops), treasurer Charles allen (Brooklyn), and executive Board Members at Large Danny Hernandez (Queens), Larry Can-dido (Manhattan), and kurt walford (the Bronx). Your Council representative is tony Mammalello. all of us are here for a reason, and that’s to make your job better, safer, and more rewarding. In november, we are endored John Liu for City Comptroller and Bill De-Blasio for Public advoate. Both men stand with us and understand that we do a great job servicing our City. Both men have been supportive of the union, and are not afraid to show it. we also support Bill thompson for Mayor. He is another man who has stood by District Coun-cil 37 when others did not. I am asking members to come out and help get the vote out on november 3rd. we are look-ing for volunteers on election Day to hand out flyers at bus stops, train stops,

VOTe on november 3 for Thompson, Liu and DeBlasio!

She wants the "HANDS ON" to be alternating red and navy blue letters!

WINTER 2009 • Vol. 1 No. 1

THe new York State workerS’ Compensation Law provides you with cash benefits, medical benefits, and rehabilitation treatment if you are in-jured or become ill as a result of your

job and are unable to work. If you are injured, you must notify your su-pervisor and immediately seek medical atten-tion. You must inform the doctor that your in-jury is work-related so that he can fill out a C-4 form, the Doctor’s Initial report to the work-ers’ Compensation Board. Your supervisor must fill out a C-2 form, the employer’s report of work-related Injury/Illness. You should fill out a C-3 form, the employee Claim. all of these forms are available on line,

Stay Healthy on the Job—File your Paperwork!

Active Members are the key to a success-ful union! Our Shop Stewards respond to worker’s complaints in the field and prevent a “problem” from becoming a “situation!”

CPW’s at the Bronx

They go back and forth on the staten Island Ferry, all day long. In the terminals on the Manhattan and Staten Island sides, the attendants see the same customers, day in and day out. Most riders probably don’t realize the dedication it takes to do this job! From left to right, Colleen Mooney, Bobby Chestnut and Colleen’s sister, Linda Graves, a Local 1505 Shop Steward, work the Staten Island Side and Edna Hayes works the ferry. Between them, they have over 75 years of service. Linda Graves lives on Staten Island and has three children, two fully grown. “It’s the people I work with who make this job worthwhile,” she says. Bobby Chestnut says, “I’m at a good place in my life. ” For her part, Edna Hayes, is looking to move up.

DO Tell the Union immediately if you are summoned to any investiga-tive interview.

DO Tell the investigator that you want your Union to be part of the ques-tioning. It’s your right!

DO Fill out new green enrollment cards after a step-up for the summer.

DO Document your out-of-title work day by day and file a grievance imme-diately! DON’T believe false promises!

DO Call the DC 37 Personal Ser-vice Unit for substance abuse prob-lems or personal issues at 212-815-1260 between 9AM and 1PM.

DO Update your beneficiary forms if you have added a child or re-married.

DO Call the Union if a co-worker passes away, so their family can re-ceive benefits.

DO File workers’ compensation pa-pers immediately if you are hurt on the job. Make copies for your files.

DOn’T Be afraid to call your Union if you are not sure of a question or pro-cedure.

Local 1505 Do’s and Dont’s

Ferry Riders, This Crew Works for You

HANDS ON!Tony’s message:

SInCe 1997, I have repre-

sented this Lo-cal in numerous grievance and disciplinary hearings. each year, the union has gained the respect of man-agement as well as the confidence of our membership, as we service your needs. one constant battle is to en-sure your rights are protected when you are called upon by any investiga-tory unit in your agency. If you are called upon to speak with anyone outside your chain of command, you should have representation. Far too often, members are called into an in-terview and find themselves the sub-ject of an investigation. If you believe that is happening, tell the investigator to discontinue the interview until a union representative is present. — Tony Mammalello

at http://www.wcb.state.ny.us. You must get cop-ies of the entire workers comersation package from your supervisor to document your claim. You must file the paper work immediately. If your injury required a trip to the emergen-cy room, you must find a doctor who accepts workers’ compensation for follow-up treat-ment. Make sure your supervisor has submitted the C-2 to your agency’s liaison to the workers’ Compensation Board. remember, an injury that doesn’t appear to be serious at first may become aggravated later on. that’s why filing a claim is important, even if you do not require emergency treatment right away. See a doctor and protect your ability to get treatment for the injury if it becomes worse.

CPW’s on Staten Island

Sanitation Shop Steward Dominick Steella