Volume 41 Number 7 July/August 2011

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

www.sseu371.org

Progress in the Fight Back

Union Stops Layoffs, After Thousands of Workers Mobilize

ho says you cant fight City Hall? SSEU Local 371 members participated in a massive fightback rally at City Hall June 14, protesting the Bloomberg administrations attacks on the civil service. While workers Citywide still face an uphill battle, the final budget agreement spared more than 50 Administration for Childrens Services workers our memberswho were targeted for termination. We know that our mobilization let the City know that we would not take these attacks lying down, said Executive Vice President Yolanda Pumarejo. And it brought people from different unions together. Workers know more than ever
Continued on page 3

Coming Together

SSEU Local 371 members were front and center at the massive fight-back rally against civil service cuts in June.

Mattingly Out, Richter In at ACS

ut with the old and in with the new. John Mattingly announced the end of his seven years as Commissioner of the Administration for Childrens Services last month, and will be replaced by former Family Court Judge Ronald Richter September 1. SSEU Local 371 has had a topsy-turvey relationship with ACS management over the last seven years, as our members have

fought against outsourcing to private agencies and downsizing, both of which harm ACS workers and the families they service alike. Union President Anthony Wells said in a statement, While we havent always seen eye to eye over the past seven years with Commissioner Mattingly on how to run the agency, we were able to work with him

to avert layoffs this year. We wish him well in his new endeavors. We now look forward to meeting the new Commissioner Ronald Richter to develop a new and effective working relationship to discuss the day-today issues affecting our members. Many social service advocates, including many in the City Council, called on
Continued on page 3

Caribbean Heritage Celebration

Page 4-5

Flexing Political Power

Pages 6

Fast Tracking Grievances

Page 8

Dave Sanders

CALENDAR
August
16 Alumni Association Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

After Progress, A Fight Ahead

heres no two ways about it: Mayor Bloombergs 2012 budget continues to reduce social services. Our members are expected to do a lot more with a lot less. We face the challenges of the Mayors vision of government, which doesnt line up with our reality. However, we can be proud of one thing. Due to SSEU Local 371s efforts, 53 Administration for Childrens Services workers who were being targeted for termination will be able to put food on their tables. As a result of the Unions negotiations, lobbying, and media campaign the needless layoffs were averted. But we continue to move forward because challenges remain. Governor Cuomo has a Medicaid Redesign Team plan that includes moving clients from home care to managed care. If implemented, the Lets get involved... plan would negatively impact CASA and hundreds of workers as well as home-care We will only be recipients. Once again we will use the tools of this Union in this fight, especially our most successful if we valued resource: the membership. Finally, we want to wish everyone a healthy work together. and safe summer. Enjoy your families and friends. Then lets get energized. Lets get informed. Lets get involved. Lets be united in our resolve to meet and conquer the challenges ahead of us. Whether the challenge is a new contract, CASA or day-to-day issues, we will only be successful if we work together.

september
7 Executive Committee Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor 12 Latino Heritage Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor 13 HPD Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor 14 Womens Committee Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor 20 Alumni Association Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor 21 Delegate Assembly Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Advance Realty Building, 235 West 23rd Street in Manhattan 23 Latino Heritage Celebration: See page 3 27 Shelter Chapter Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor 28 Political Action Committee Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

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 President Anthony Wells Executive Vice President Yolanda Pumarejo Secretary-Treasurer Joe Nazario V.P. Negotiations & Research Rose Lovaglio-Miller V.P. Organization & Education Ingrid Beaumont V.P. Grievances & Legal Services Lloyd Permaul V.P. Publicity & Community Relations Patricia Chardavoyne V.P. Legislation & Political Action Michelle Akyempong Trustees Vincent Ciccarello Yolanda DeJesus Melva Scarborough Editor Ari Paul Visit us on the web at www.sseu371.org

Anthony Wells

Have Questions? Get in Touch!

Do you have a question for the Unions officers? Do you have an idea for SSEU Local 371s leadership? Is something happening in the field that we need to know about? Our ears are open, and we want to hear from you, whether its about issues in the field, on location, or at the Union office. Please direct questions to the Vice President of Publicity and Community Relations Patricia Chardavoyne at [email protected] or call the Unions main switchboard.

The Unionist | July-August 2011

Union Stops Layoffs, After Thousands of Workers Mobilize

Continued from page 1

that now their sisters and brothers from SSEU Local 371 will be there for them, just as they were there for us. Anger at Bloombergs scapegoating of City workers has been growing. The night after the fight-back rally, student activists and workers erected a tent city, called Bloombergville, to protest the downsizing of public education, CUNY and essential services that help the working and lower classes. The Union won this battle primarily because of non-stop political organizing, media outreach and lobbying by both the officers and rank-and-file members.

Michelle Akyempong, the Unions Vice President of Legislation and Political Action, said We engaged in traditional modes of political organizing. Members met individually with City Council Members, which went a long way in showing lawmakers the negative human impact Bloombergs cuts would have had. She continued, We passed out flyers and met with other community activists. Because we showed the City that we could put so many of our members on the pavement and in the halls of power, the City had no other choice but to reach a deal that averted layoffs.

Latino Heritage Celebration

This years Latino Heritage Celebration will be September 23, at DC 37 headquarters, starting at 5:30 p.m. All members are welcome, and should expect an evening of fine food and Latino music. This years keynote speaker is Juan Cartagena, the president and general counsel of Latino Justice/Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund. His work has centered on criminal justice policy, workers rights, education and voting rights. The groups website says, Juan has taught several college courses and presently teaches a Latino civil rights law course for undergraduate students at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He has also written in the areas of Latinos and mass imprisonment, language rights, redistricting, civil procedure and issues surrounding the New York City charter. The musical guest will be noted singer Choco Orta.

Dave Sanders

Important Dates
March and Rally in Washington, DC, Saturday, August 27, for the unveiling of the MLK Memorial. Buses will leave from Union headquarters at 6:00 a.m., but space is limited. Call VP Ingrid Beaumont to reserve your space at (212) 598-7057. The Union will participate in the annual Labor Day Parade Saturday, September 10. Assemble at 817 Broadway at 9:00 a.m. The African American Day Parade will be Sunday, September 18 at 1:00 p.m., beginning at 111th Street and Adam Clayton Power Blvd. in Harlem. The next court date for Cherecce Bell and Damon Adams is Wednesday, September 14. The hearing starts at 9:30 a.m. 320 Jay Street, 15th Floor, Part 15, Brooklyn, NY.

SSEU Local 371 members, officers and staff said that building unity with other unions was key to the struggle for a fair budget.

Mattingly Out, Richter In at ACS

Continued from page 1

Mattingly to resign after the beating death of 7-year-old Nixzmary Brown in 2006 showed flaws in the way the agency was structured. As Andrew White, the director of the Center for New York City Affairs at The New School, said in an oped published at Thirteen.org, There was an immediate and astonishing increase in reports of abuse and neglect that has lasted right up until the present day. G. Oliver Koppell, the chairman of the City Council Committee on Mental Heath, Mental Retardation, Drug Abuse and Disabilities, said he was glad to see Mattingly go.
July-August 2011 | The Unionist

I dont believe he led the agency satisfactorily, he told WNYC. Union leaders agreed that Mattinglys tenure was marred by morale-reducing workplace policies.

Meeting of the Minds

Meanwhile, the Union hopes to have a constructive dialogue with Richter about labor relations and how to structure the agency going forward. We believe the new leadership will understand that cuts to the front-line workforce only mean more damage to New York Citys working families, Wells said.

Celebrating Caribbean Heritage

heres a reason why the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn is the most celebrated in the City. Its the same reason why when a massive earthquake devastated the island nation of Haiti, New Yorkers opened their wallets to help the victims. New York City is home to people from nearly every West Indian island, and many of them are dedicated workers in New York City government agencies. In fact, the West Indian community has been a

large mobilizing force in the New York City labor movement, including at SSEU Local 371. During the Unions Caribbean Heritage celebration at DC 37 headquarters June 17, members were greeted by one of the most memorable of the Citys Caribbean-born labor leaders. Roger Toussaint, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, the former president of Transport Workers Union Local 100 who led nearly 40,000 subway and bus workers on a three-day work stoppage in 2003, was

this years keynote speaker. He noted that in such tough times, worker unity was essential. The Caribbean social service workers have always had close ties with the communities they service, said Union President Anthony Wells. Nights like this one remind us of the special gift their community has. Members were also treated to a traditional buffet of West Indian cuisine as well as a night full of steel drum and calypso music. This night is dedicated to our late and beloved men-

tor, Charles Ensley, said VP of Grievances and Caribbean Heritage Committee Chair Lloyd Permaul, speaking of the former SSEU Local 371 President who led the Union for nearly three decades. He taught us how to celebrate the cultures of all members and that in unity there is strength.

The members of the Caribbean Heritage Committee worked hard to pull off another successful event.
4 The Unionist | July-August 2011

Members heard several different West Indian musical performers.

The flags of all the Caribbean nations flew high.

Musical guest Say Explainer

At left, VP Lloyd Permaul greets keynote speaker Roger Toussant (right). Above, the Union officers invoked the leadership of the late former President, Charles Ensley, with his nephew Bradley Funnye.
July-August 2011 | The Unionist 5

Photos pages 4 & 5: Dave Sanders

Using Union Political Power

their political muscle in a joint meeting of the Unions Political Action Committee and the Committee of Concerned Social Workers June 22, which included a presentation by City Councilman Daniel Dromm. The theme of the event was the fight for marriage equalitywhich would later result in victory after the Governor passed a measure to allow gays and lesbians to wedand for the Unions assault bill, which would raise penalties for those who attack social service workers.

sseu LocAL 371 members flexed

thousands of workers speaking in unison. A sample letter can be found here, and on the Unions website. The fight for marriage equality was supported by many unions, including this

one. Union members have always been on the front-lines fighting for the rights of all people, said Akyempong. This victory reminds us of how much political influence we have.

Honorable Assembly Member: I am a member of Social Service Employees Union Local 371. The purpose of this corresponden ce is to ask for your support on Bill # A4672. We are the front line workers who provide social services to the most vulnerable chi ldren and families in New York City; from child protective ser vices to public assistance. In recent months, the number of inst ances of workplace violence has increased. Workers have bee n attacked in the office and the field on a weekly basis. We are req uesting similar protections in the workplace that have been affo rded to our colleagues in the Transit Authority, Traffic Enforceme nt and Nurses. We are respectfully requesting tha t you support this bill. Thank you, Name: Address: SSEU Local 371 member

Passing the Assault Bill

The assault bill, which is in line with similar protections for Traffic Enforcement Agents, Sanitation Workers and New York City Transit workers, has passed the State Senate, but needs passage in the Assembly. The two committees addressed the need for the bill, and the Union is urging all of its members to contact their Assembly Member, urging them to pass the bill. In a situation like this, we need every individual member to be involved, said Union Vice President of Legislation and Political Action Michelle Akyempong. The government cant ignore the voices of

City Council Member Daniel Dromm spoke to SSEU Local 371 members about the importance of political organizing and union political power.
6 The Unionist | July-August 2011

Pat Arnow

Sign Up NOW for Delegate Training

SSEU Local 371 will hold Delegate Training from Friday, October 21 through Sunday, October 23, 2011. The event is open to Delegates and Alternate Delegates who have been elected in 2011. Place: The Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center One First Stamford Place Stamford, Connecticut 06902. If you are interested in attending, please complete the coupon below and fax it to (212)4774863, Attn: Ingrid Beaumont, Vice President of Organization. Space is limited. Reserve your seat. A variety of workshops, guest speakers and other events will occur. Materials will be distributed. Delegate training is an important and useful tool offered by the Union. Officers and Staff will be on hand to facilitate and maximize participation. Transportation will be provided from different areas. Return this coupon by fax to VP Ingrid Beaumont, (212) 477-4863. Please print clearly. Coupons must be received by September 21,2011

Union Educational Fund Offers Online Prep Course

The Unions Educational Fund will offer an online examination prep course for the Caseworker (Exam No. 2307) and Child Protective Specialist (Exam No. 2308) titles computerized (walk-in) exams. The course can be accessed at http://civil-tt.sseu371.org through August 31, 2011. Manuals will be available to current SSEU Local 371 Benefit Fund members effective August 9 and can be picked up from the Fund office at 817 Broadway 15th Floor from 8:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Please bring your job ID.

Delegate Training Coupon

NAME _________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS ___________________________________________________ APT.# _____ CITY ________________________________ STATE_______ ZIP CODE ____________ PHONE (WORK) __________________________________________________________ HOME/CELL PHONE ______________________________________________________ WORK ADDRESS _________________________________________________________ AGENCY _______________________________________________________________ *EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION* NAME _________________________________________________________________ CONTACT PHONE NUMBER __________________________________________________ RELATIONSHIP ___________________________________________________________ ROOM MATE PREFERENCES _________________________________________________ T-SHIRT SIZE ____________________________________________________________

LCLAA News
The Union is happy to announce that Executive Vice President Yolanda Pumarejo was appointed to the international board of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. Union Secretary Treasurer Joe Nazario also received an award from the LCLAA at this years educational conference.

Official 15-Day Election Notice

Official 15-day notice is hereby given for nomination and election of eight (8) members of the Delegate Assembly to the Executive Committee will be conducted at the Delegate Assembly on September 21, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at Advance Realty, 235 West 23rd Street, (between 7th and 8th Avenues) Manhattan.

Official 15-Day Election Notice

Official 15-day notice is hereby given for the nomination of eight (8) delegate and sixteen (16) alternates for the New York City Housing Authority on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Union office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10003. This also serves as 15day notice of the election Tuesday, September 20, 2011 for eight (8) delegates and sixteen (16) alternates from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Union Office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10003.
July-August 2011 | The Unionist

Congratulations
Congratulations to Frenchie Williams, Office Manager at SSEU Local 371, on the marriage of her daughter Anya Williams to Carlton Peters on May 27, 2011 Glendalough Manor in Atlanta, GA Congratulations to Ronnell Dunham (Union Activist) & Joe Garrett who welcomed Zoey Amielle Garrett on June 22, 2011. She was 6 pounds and 18 inches long! Social Service Employees Union Local 371 817 Broadway New York, N.Y. 10003

Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY

Condolences
Condolences are extended to Lori Williams, Community Coordinator at the Office of Manhattan Borough President 163 West 125th Street 5th Floor, on the death of her sister, Ava Arrington who died on July 7th 2011. Condolences may be sent to Lori Williams at 240 Nagle Avenue, Apt. 4B, NY, NY 10034 Condolences are extended to Anthony Alexander, Counselor, at Horizon Juvenile Center on the death of his sister, Carmen Orowsky, who died on July 2, 2011. Condolences may be sent to 2059 St. Raymond Avenue, #3F, Bronx, New York 10460 Condolences are extended to Nicole Gadson and family on the death of her mother, Gail Gadson (who died July 5), Child and Family Specialist at 2 Washington Street, NY, NY. Condolences are extended to Dolores Rodrigues, Supervisor III at Adult Protective Services in Manhattan and family on the death of her nephew, Deqauan Mercurius who died on July 16, 2011. Condolences may be sent to Ms. Dolores Rodrigues & Family, 54 Hubbard Place, Brooklyn, New York 11234 Condolences are extended to Ruby Wilson and Family, on the death of her daughter Juliette WilsonPerez, a Child Protective Specialist Supervisor II, at the Manhattan Division of Child Protection who died on June 25, 2011. Condolences may be sent to Ruby Wilson 1430 Amsterdam Avenue, #4J NY, NY 10027 Condolences are extended to Yessenia Rodriguez and Family, on the death of her mother Amalia Santana, a Caseworker HRA-HASA, at 98 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn who died on July 25, 2011. Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Yessenia Rodriguez 446 Gower Street, Staten Island, NY 10314 Condolences are extended to Deirdra Haynes, Caseworker at Adult Protective Services in Brooklyn and family on the death of her son, Shawn Williams who died August 2.

New Fast Track Program

he Union has launched a pilot program of submitting member grievances involving disciplinary penalties of 30 days or less to the New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH), instead of arbitration. All members having their cases submitted to OATH will continue to be represented at their OATH hearing by the Unions attorneys. Disciplinary cases involving penalties in excess of 30 days, including discharge cases, and all contractual grievances, will continue to be submitted to arbitration. This new procedure promises to substantially shorten the time in which the less than 30 day penalty cases will be heard and decided, and will result in substantial cost savings to the Union. The Unions grievances section will closely monitor the results of this program, and make any necessary adjustments.

We will report to the members in the coming issues of the Unionist as to the success of this program. Lloyd Permaul, VP of Grievances and Legal Affairs Need to get in touch with the grievances section? Email the VP at [email protected], or call the main switchboard and ask to be connected to a grievance representative who can assist you.

BULLETIN BOARD
SWAP- Community Assistant at 78 Catherine Street would like to swap with Community Assistant at 300 Skillman Avenue, Brooklyn NY. If interested, please call (212) 877-4434. SWAP- AJOS at (Center 67) 45 Hoyt St., Brooklyn, NY looking to swap with AJOS at (Center 54) 165-08 88th Street, Jamaica, NY. If interested please contact (347) 995-6127. SWAP- Caseworker at OCSE in Manhattan would like to swap with Field Caseworker in HASA in Brooklyn or any non-field position in Brooklyn or Manhattan. If interested, please call (917) 723-0956. SWAP- Caseworker at HASA in Manhattan Homemaking Unit non-field position. Looking to swap with Caseworker in Queens If interested please contact (212) 620-9817. SWAP- AJOS worker at (Center 99) in Richmond, Staten Island would like to swap sites to 109 East 16th Street, New York, NY. If interested please contact (347) 398-4891. SWAP-AJOS worker at (Center 99) in Richmond, Staten Island would like to swap sites to 109 East 16th Street, New York, NY. If interested please contact (718) 390-6786.

MEMBERS

Election Upheld
The Judicial Panel of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has rejected a challenge to SSEU Local 371s General Officers Election, which was concluded at the end of May. The panel upheld the outcome of the elections. Union President Anthony Wells said, Now more than ever is a time for unity, and for the members to put all differences aside and work together for a common cause.
8 The Unionist | July-August 2011