Volume 43 • Number 7August 2013

Official Publication of Social Service Employees Union Local 371-DC 37 AFSCME, AFL-CIO www.sseu371.org

SSEU Local 371 members made clear that no cuts should be made to public housing.

United to Protect Public Housing

Homecare Ruling in CASASSEU Local 371 is pleased to announce some good news in the ongoing struggle at CASA.

The Union learned last month that the New York State Department of Health has issued a ruling that Housekeeping cases in Homecare will continue to be handled by local social service districts. This means that HRA workers in CASA will continue to do assessments on housekeeping cases. There are an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 housekeeping cases expected to be returned to HRA. Furthermore, all housekeeping cases will be handled by HRA.

“I am happy with the ruling,” said President Anthony Wells. “It means that more workers will be retained in CASA. There will be formal discussions with HRA on the impact of the ruling. We are expecting to meet with the Governor’s staff to discuss other programs in which our members can be utilized. The fight to protect and save our jobs continues.”

Despite averting most of the impend-ing layoffs at the New York City Housing Authority at the beginning

of the summer, SSEU Local 371 members participated in a rally July 2 in a fiery display to the City that this Union will tolerate no cuts or downsizing in public housing.

The rally, which took place outside City Hall, was organized by Teamsters Local 237, which represents most of the frontline staff at NYCHA. Our Union, representing social service workers in the authority, as well as groups representing tenants, stood in solidarity, showing all the candidates for mayor and other offices that the work-ing men and women of this City support public housing.

Our Message“This is a strong message we’re send-

ing,” President Anthony Wells said after the rally. “We haven’t completely won this thing yet, but we are in a much better position than we were. The Union is going

to be in talks with the agency about how to make sure not one worker will end up be-ing terminated.”

Beyond saving the jobs, the Union voiced its opinion that community centers, which the authority will transfer to other City agencies and eventually into the hands of

private-sector non-profits, are vital resourc-es for NYCHA tenants.

“The people rely on these centers,” Wells said. “This Union, Local 237, progressive politicians and tenants groups are saying that we should not be balancing the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable.”

Ari P

aul

2 The Unionist | August 2013

August20 Alumni Association: 2:00 p.m.

Union Office, 12th Floor

21 Delegate Assembly: CANCELLED

Civilians in Law Enforcement: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

22 Next Wave: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

29 Parks Dept Citywide Election: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

september 4 Executive Committee: 6:30 p.m.

Union Office, 12th Floor

10 Committee of Concerned Social Workers: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

11 Women’s Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

16 Latino Heritage Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

17 Alumni Association: 2:00 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

18 Delegate Assembly: 6:30 p.m. Advance Realty Building, 235 West 23rd Street in Manhattan

19 Next Wave: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

25 Political Action Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

Civilians in Law Enforcement: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

27 HPD Chapter: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

CALENDAR

Published monthly except for a combined issue in July/August and a Supplement in January by the Social Service Employees Union Local 371, District Council 37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO. Subscription Price $2.00 annually. Periodical postage paid at New York, N.Y.

POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: The Unionist, SSEU Local 371, 817 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y. 10003.

USPS# 348990 (212) 677-3900 ISSN# 0041-7092

PresidentAnthony Wells

Executive Vice PresidentYolanda Pumarejo

Secretary-TreasurerJuan Ortiz

V.P. Negotiations & ResearchRose Lovaglio-Miller

V.P. Organization & EducationArmenta Weekes

V.P. Grievances & Legal ServicesLloyd Permaul

V.P. Publicity & Community RelationsPatricia Chardavoyne

V.P. Legislation & Political ActionMichelle Akyempong

TrusteesVincent CiccarelloYolanda DeJesus Melva Scarborough

EditorAri Paul

Visit us on the web at www.sseu371.org

Overcoming Adversity

A s we reel from the verdict in the Trayvon Martin case, let us remember the precious gift of life. Let us remember that the struggles we face will not be overcome by apathy and fear. We must commit our

energies, ideas and actions to resolutions and the protection of life. This decision reminds us that life and values are not precious to all.

It is an injustice that must be addressed through the voices and actions of the people. It is about the dignity and sanctity of life.

Unionism is about the dignity and rights of working men and women. The Union is there to be the voice of the members. Often times the Union is attacked from outside for protecting the rights of all its members. Well, it is not for the Union to judge or decide which members to fight for: We fight for all.

Other times, the attacks on the Union come from within. Personal ambitions and gains become the motivation for lies, mistruths and innuendos. Verbiage about commitment to members and unionism are not reflected in the destructive and negative actions. While we struggle to save programs, preserve benefits, stop the outsourcing of jobs and shape our political future, others seek to tear down and destroy the only institution that is dedicated to workers.

But we will not let this tear the Union apart. The stakes are too high to allow any person, group or thing to distract or detract us from our mission. The agenda is clear: fight back against any and all forces that stand in the way of our jobs, benefits and rights.

Find your motivation to be involved. Whether it is the Next Wave Committee, which brings young and new workers into the movement or the Political Action Committee, which educates and involves members in the political process. Get involved. There are so many avenues and forums to be involved in the Union. Find one. Decide that the value and dignity of workers can only be preserved from your action and involvement.

The Trayvon Martin verdict, the Supreme Court ruling stifling the Voting Rights Act, the attacks on unions and working men and women, and the attacks on affordable and public housing are all calls to action. The August 24 March on Washington, as the Rev. Al Sharpton says, “is not a commemoration but a continuation of the 1963 March.”

It is another opportunity to show that we will participate in our destiny. It is a journey that must make as those before us to preserve, ensure and protect the rights they fought and died for.

God bless you and God bless the Union..

– Anthony Wells

Unionism is about the dignity and rights of working men and women.

“

”

August 2013 | The Unionist 3

IT’S SAID EVERy yEAR that this election is the most important in history. Well, starting next year we will finally be able to live in a post-Bloomberg New York. So it is important that we elect into office leaders who will advance the interests of working men and women.

Our Political Action Committee, led by Vice President for Political Action Michelle Akyempong, has been working around the clock to vet the candidates.

The primary is Tuesday September 10. The general election is Tuesday, November 5.

With that, Union members are encouraged to reflect on this list of SSEU Local 371 endorsed candidates.

The 2013 Union EndorsementsMayor: No endorsement

Comptroller: Scott Stringer

Public Advocate: Letitia James

Manhattan Borough President: Gale Brewer

Bronx Borough President: Ruben Diaz Jr.

Queens Borough President: Leroy Comrie (dropped out)

Brooklyn Borough President: Eric Adams

Staten Island Borough President: No endorsement

City Council Districts:1. Margaret Chin

2. Rosie Mendez

3. Yetta Kurland

4. No endorsement

5. Micah Kellner

6. Noah Gotbaum

7. Joyce Johnson

8. Melissa Mark-Viverito

9. Inez Dickens

10. Ydanis Rodriguez

11. No endorsement

12. Andy King

13. James Vacca

14. Fernando Cabrera

15. Ritchie Torres

16. No endorsement

17. Maria del Carmen Arroyo

18. Annabel Palma

19. John Duane

20. Peter Koo

21. Julissa Ferreras

22. Costa Costantinides

23. Mark Weprin

24. Rory Lancman

25. Daniel Dromm

26. Jimmy Van Bramer

27. Daneek Miller

28. No endorsement

29. No endorsement

30. Elizabeth Crowley

31. Donovan Richards

32. Eric Ulrich

33. Stephen Levin

34. Antonio Reynoso

35. Olanike Alabi

36. Robert Cornegy

37. Kimberly Council

38. Sara Gonzalez

39. Brad Lander

40. Mathieu Eugene

41. Darlene Mealy

42. Inez Barron

43. Vincent J. Gentile

44. David G. Greenfield

45. Jumaane Williams

46. Alan Maisel

47. Todd Dobrin

48. Ari Kagan

49. Deborah Rose

50. Mendy Mirocznik

51. No endorsement

4 The Unionist | August 2013

Social Service Employees UnionLocal 371817 BroadwayNew York, N.Y. 10003

Periodicals PostagePaid at New York, NY

M embers at the Adult Family Intake Center (Department of Homeless Services) in Manhattan will have

the option to work a compressed schedule, which means four workdays and three days off, the Union has learned.

DHS is offering the alternative schedule as part of a pilot program in to order allow Fraud Investigators to handle their cases before and after traditional work hours. It also has the obvious advantage of getting one more day away from work.

New HoursThe alternative schedules are 8:15 a.m.

to 6 p.m. with Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday off; 8:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. with Thursday, Friday and Saturday off; or 8:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. with Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off.

The pilot program was set to begin Aug. 8. Management said it will reevaluate the program in February.

“We champion any kind of alterna-tive schedules,” said associate director of research and negotiations Vela Sutton. “As long as members are happy with it, we’re happy with it.”

Pilot Program: Compressed Time in DHSSwAp- HRA Job Opportunity Specialist, at Crotona Job Center /Homeless Diversion Unit, would like to swap to a Job Center in Brooklyn preferably, Clinton Hills, Dekalb Avenue or Bushwick Avenue. If inter-ested, call (347) 243-7958.

SwAp- HRA Sup II, at 47 Vanderbilt Ave. in Brook-lyn, would like to swap to HASA Queens, APS Queens or OCSE Queens. If interested, call (929) 221-1138 or (917) 400-3052.

SwAp- Child and Family Specialist at 150 William Street in Manhattan, would like to swap to Child and Family Specialist Bronx Field Office. If interested, please call (718) 710-1895.

SwAp- Supervisor II at Brooklyn field office, 2554 Linden Blvd., would like to swap to a Supervisor II Field office in the Bronx, or 55 W. 125th Street. If interested, call (718) 348-6697 or (914) 548-8054.

SwAp- Job Opportunity Specialist, FIA/HRA at Job Center #64 in Brooklyn, would like to swap to Job Center #70 in Brooklyn or Job Center #63 in Brooklyn. If interested, call (347) 446-4998.

SwAp- Job Opportunity Specialist, FIA/HRA at Job Center #13 in Manhattan, would like to swap to Job Center #99 in Staten Island. If interested, call (718) 213-2111.

SwAp- Community Assistant at 150 William Street in Manhattan, would like to swap to ACS downtown Courts, 350 Jay Street, 370 Jay Street or 330 Court Street in the Administrative Unit/Data enter division. If interested, call (212) 341-8979.

SwAp- Job Opportunity Specialist at East River Job Center #37 in Manhattan would like to swap to Job Opportunity Specialist position at Dyckman Job Center #35. If interested, call (212) 945-8267.

BULLETIN BOARDMEMBERs’

Condolences are extended to the family and friends of Karen Eatmon-Harrigan, former ACS Caseworker at 150 William Street, who died July 4. Condolences may be sent to Kevin Harrigan, 75 Roberts Place, Roosevelt, NY 11575.

Condolences are extended to the family and friends of Ms. Marion Jolles, SSEU Local 371 retiree and former HRA Sup II, at Queens CASA, who died in March.

Condolences

Don’t Comply with the Health Care Audit!A Manhattan judge has issued a temporary restraining order against a City survey about employee health care. The municipal labor movement’s legal argument was that the City should have negotiated with the unions before going forward.

Therefore, the Union is asking members not to participate in the study. Please do not send any documents or take part in this survey until you hear otherwise from SSEU Local 371.

“Protecting our members’ health care plans is a top priority,” said President Anthony Wells. “This is a notable victory in that regard. Any just and equitable health care plan in the next contract can only come about through good faith bar-gaining between the City and the unions.”

Official 15-Day Election Notice Official 15-Day notice is hereby given for the nomination of (9) delegates and (18) alternate delegates for the Citywide election from the Parks Department on Thursday, August 29, 2013, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at the Union office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10003. This also serves as a fifteen day notice of the election on Thursday Septem-ber 5, 2013 of (9) delegates and (18) alter-nates from 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at the Union office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10003.

Official 15-Day Election Notice Official 15-Day notice is hereby given for the nomination and election of eight (8) members of the Delegate Assembly to the Executive Committee, and will be conducted at the Delegate Assembly on Sept. 18, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. at the Advance Realty Building, 235 West 23 St. between Seventh and Eighth Aves., in Manhattan.