Volume 42 Number 9 October 2012

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

www.sseu371.org

PUBLIC HOUSING

Union Fighting to Keep Social Services at NYCHA

SSEU LOCAL 371 PResIDeNT Anthony Wells and other labor and community leaders testied at a City Council hearing Sept. 27 to advocate against downsizing at the New York City Housing Authority. New York City wants to get out of social services all together and contract it out, Wells said in ery remarks before the Public Housing Committee of the Council. Wells was reacting to a $10-million cost-reduction study for NYCHA conducted by the Boston Consulting Group, in which it suggested reducing central ofce staff in order to increase the number of front-line workers at the authority. But this did not include social service workers, such as those who lead community centers for seniors and children at public housing facilities.

Should Have Asked Us

They didnt even ask us about what kind of questions they should ask, Wells said of NYCHA when it came to looking for cost-reduction measures. [Chairman John Rhea] does not have all the stakeholders at the table. We care about the residents because we are the residents. The presidents remarks were met by applause from public housing residents in the audience. People like me beneted from those community centers back in the day, said Committee Chairwoman Rosie Mendez. The residents are in agreement.

SSEU Local 371 President Anthony Wells, left, spoke about the vital need for social services in public housing. Joining him, at right, is Teamsters Local 237 President Gregory Floyd.

Wells also joined Mendez in denouncing the cost of the outside study on NYCHA, which Rhea had conducted after a similar study was done of public housing in Atlanta. But Wells noted that this was an apples-to-oranges comparison, saying that NYCHA is unique in its size.

Money Not Used

The New York Daily News recently reported that the authority had not utilized $1 billion in funds while residents often wait months for basic repairs. The authority immediately responded by removing

highly paid board members and replacing them with unsalaried appointments. Teamsters Local 237 President Gregory Floyd, who represents front-line staff at NYCHA, told the Council that it was unfortunate that Chairman Rhea spoke about selling off public housing assets. It seems like they forgot that NYCHAs assets are not just property, he said. They must remember the people who call those assets home or their job. Floyd continued, NYCHA housing is not a co-op in Riverdale or a condo in Bayside. It is not an entrepreneurial enterprise.

Our Newest Vice President

Page 3

Latino Heritage Celebration

Pages 4-5

Protecting Your Union Activity

Page 7

Ari Paul

CALENDAR
OCTOBeR
15 Black History Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 16 Alumni Association: 2:00 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 17 Delegate Assembly: 6:30 p.m. Advance Realty Building, 235 West 23rd Street in Manhattan 18 Community Service Workers Chapter: 10:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce 24 Political Action and BCW Committees: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor Civilians in Law Enforcement: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 15th Floor

The Time is Now

e are approaching the most important election in our history. On Nov. 6 we need to vote in huge numbers for our future. The choice is clear: We support President Barack Obama, who offers us the chance to survive into the future. There are so many reasons that we must vote in this election, but none more important than because people have died for us to have the right to vote. If we allow the many forces trying to legally disenfranchise us to win, those deaths will have been in vain. There are also many forces trying to destabilize and destroy unions. Externally, they attack our salaries, pensions and collective bargaining rights. Internally, they seek to destabilize the union under the cover of darkness with innuendo and smear. An attack on unions anywhere is an attack on the labor movement everywhere. These forces will not succeed because our agenda is clear. We must stop layoffs, protect our benets and pensions, insure that we are treated with dignity and respect and move our Union forward. Over the past year, we have prevented layoffs in child welfare earlier than in the past four years. In fact, we were able to get an additional 73 positions. With the support and involvement of the membership, the Assault Bill was passed and signed by the Governor. The bills passage was the culmination of a campaign that brought together other unions, including DC 37 Local 1549 and CWA Local 1180, as well as City ofcials and State lawmakers. This victory showed what effective organizing and coalition building can accomplish. We are ghting back to stop the devastating effects of the Governors Medicaid Redesign Teams plan that puts more than 900 workers in HRA at risk of layoffs. We have also started ghting in the Housing Authority, where more than 388 workers in social services and community operations face possible termination if the authoritys plan to get out of social services is successful. For the rst time in many years, we are working with DC 37 and our International Union, AFSCME, to ensure that we have the strongest union army for the challenges and ghts that lay ahead. Within our local, we are continuing to support our delegates through education and training. Our delegates are more involved than ever before. They are committed to mobilizing, educating and organizing our membership. Furthermore, they are armed with the knowledge and skills to be effective advocates on location. The stronger the Unions presence is on location, the more protections there are against those who seek to abuse and disrespect our workers and our contract. I was at our sister unions shop steward training. Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez believes as we do that a trained and energized representative is a powerful weapon in our ght. Rev. Al Sharpton was a guest speaker. He reminded us that the struggle for the rights that we enjoy was hard fought and deadly. We cannot forfeit those gains by being afraid, apathetic or lazy. He encouraged us to embrace the role of labor, not just in this election, but in the struggle. We can never forget the role that labor played in building the middle class and this country. On Nov. 6, lets do what we have to do: Vote! Anthony Wells

30 SSEU Chapter: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 15th Floor

NOVeMBeR
7 8 Executive Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor Committee of Concerned Social Workers: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor

14 Womens Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 19 Black History Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 20 Alumni Association: 2:00 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 21 Delegate Assembly: 6:30 p.m. Advance Realty Building, 235 West 23rd Street in Manhattan 28 Political Action Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor Civilians in Law Enforcement: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 15th Floor

We can never forget the role that labor played in building the middle class and this country.

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 Armenta Weekes 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

The Unionist | October 2012

ON The FRONT LINes

s a Court Liaison for the Borough of Manhattan for the Citys HASA program, Rick de Ariaz is dedicated to keeping HIV/AIDS patients in their homes and helps them get in touch with agencies who can help them. De Ariaz is in court most days, dealing with arrears and other rent cases, talking to judges and defending clients. This often means getting to know clients and seeing if they can actually pay, and if not, make sure they can transition to a new place. A lot of the time, he gets to know each clients personal situation, and he tries to humanize each case for the court so they dont get evicted. The judges welcome me up to the bench. Im considered a friend of the court, he explained.

Clients Have a Friend in the Court

De Ariaz thrives off making connections with these clients who are in need of help. He says it is warming when he receives letters from the people he has helped.

Overseeing the Agency

As a supervisor, this also means keeping other HASA workers informed on cases and ensuring that cases are being attended to. De Ariaz, a Union Delegate, said that his experience as an active member of SSEU Local 371 has taught him how to manage workers through collaboration and not through micro managing. The ofces are very cooperative, he noted. De Ariaz also coordinates with nonprots such as Housing Works, the HIV Law Project, the Gay Mens Health Crisis

and others to nd services that HASA clients can utilize. But like many social services, he notes, the job has gotten harder since 2008 when the economy crashed, and more and more people are coming to HASA. He noted that when he arrives at a HASA center the line of potential clients runs out the door. You cant believe the lines, he said, noting that the increase adds to stress Rick de Ariaz: His word is gold for HASA clients. on the job and rising caseloads. Sometimes you watch it and youre just like, He says it is warming when he receives oh my God. letters and cards from the people he has In addition, the agency hasnt changed helped. that much since 1989, when De Ariaz In addition, he has worked to establish started, in terms of how much rent money working relationships with judges, which and other benets it provides to clients. It he believes makes a better system for the has never changed, and look at the cost, people he represents each day. he said. Food banks are almost gone. All I have a judge who says, youre word is of those other services are not there. gold here, he said. Thats not just good De Ariaz thrives off making connections for me, but it says to a client, youre going with these clients who are in need of help. to get a fair shake here.

Welcoming Our New VP!

The Executive Committee appointed and swore in Child Protective Specialist - Supervisor II Armenta Weekes from the Queens Field Ofce as the new Vice President of Organization. A Union Delegate for two decades, Weekes says she is committed and prepared for the tasks ahead. The Unions ofcers look forward to working with her on the various challenges facing the membership.
October 2012 | The Unionist 3

Pat Arnow

Ari Paul

From left: Pres. Wells, Sec.-Treas. Reyes, and Exec. VP Pumarejo.

4

Ray Castros Conjunto Clasico plays on.

The Unionist | October 2012

Latino Heritage 2012

s luck would have it, just as AFSCME SecretaryTreasurer Laura Reyes took the stage at SSEU Local 371s Latino Heritage celebration Sept. 14 to talk about her personal journey and the struggles facing the public sector, members learned of two major victories. The Chicago teachers had settled their strike, forcing Mayor Rahm Emanuel to take many anti-teacher demands off the table, and a judge in Wisconsin struck down much of Governor Scott Walkers antiunion legislation. Reyes, the rst woman elected as the second-in-command at AFSCME, spoke from the heart about the challenges of raising a special needs child and her leadership as the president of the domestic workers union in California. She was elected to secretary-treasurer this summer at the AFSCME convention in Los Angeles along with Lee Saunders as president. Reyes spoke about the rise of anti-immigration rhetoric on the right and how labor activists could combat it. It is an honor and a privilege to have the secretary-

treasurer here, said Executive Vice President and Latino Heritage Committee Co-Chair Yolanda Pumarejo. In addition to Reyess inspiring keynote address, the group Conjunto Nuevo Milenio performed several traditional Panamanian dances. Nights like this are meant to celebrate our wide diversity, said Secretary-Treasurer and Committee Co-Chair Joe Nazario.

After the address, members got out of their seats and onto the dance oor as Ray Castros Conjunto Clasico took to the stage. This is the kind of enthusiasm Charles Ensley always taught us about, said President Anthony Wells. We speak about the labor movement and the challenges ahead of us, but also make room for cultural inspiration.
Secretary-Treasurer Laura Reyes.

Members enjoyed an evening of celebration and motivation.

The Latino Heritage Committee.

October 2012 | The Unionist 5

Photos pages 4 & 5: Pat Arnow

DISCLOSURE NOTICE OF NON-CREDITABLE COVERAGE

Important Notice From the Social Service Employees Union Local 371 Welfare Fund About Your Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare
Please read this notice carefully and keep it where you can nd it. This notice has information about your current prescription drug coverage with the Social Service Employees Union Local 371 Welfare Fund (Fund) and prescription drug coverage available for people with Medicare. It also explains the options you have under Medicare prescription drug coverage, and can help you decide whether or not you want to enroll. At the end of this notice is information about where you can get help to make decisions about your prescription drug coverage. 1.  Medicare prescription drug coverage became available to everyone with Medicare through Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage Plans that offer prescription drug coverage in 2006. All Medicare prescription drug plans provide at least a standard level of coverage set by Medicare. Some plans may also offer more coverage for a higher monthly premium. 2. I  t has been determined that the prescription drug coverage offered by the Fund is, on average for all plan participants, NOT expected to pay out as much as the standard Medicare prescription drug coverage will pay and is considered Non-Creditable Coverage. This is important, because for most people enrolled in the Funds prescription drug plan, enrolling in Medicare prescription drug coverage means you will get more assistance with drug costs than if you had prescription drug coverage exclusively through the Fund. 3.  You have decisions to make about Medicare prescription drug coverage that may affect how much you pay for that coverage, depending on if and when you enroll. Read this notice carefullyit explains your options. Consider enrolling in Medicare prescription drug coverage. Because the prescription drug coverage you have with the Fund is on average for all plan participants, NOT expected to pay out as much as the standard Medicare prescription
6

drug coverage will pay, you should consider enrolling in a Medicare prescription drug plan. Individuals can enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan when they rst become eligible for Medicare and each year. This year, the open enrollment period to join a Medicare drug plan is from October 15, 2012 through December 7, 2012. Beneciaries leaving Fund coverage may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for a Medicare prescription drug plan. This may mean that you will have to wait to enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage and that you may pay a higher premium (a penalty) if you join later and you will pay that higher premium as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. If you go 63 days or longer without prescription drug coverage that is at least as good as Medicares prescription drug coverage, your premium will go up at least 1% per month for every month that you did not have that coverage. You will have to pay this higher premium as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. For example, if you go nineteen months without coverage, your premium will always be at least 19% higher than what many other people pay. When deciding whether or not to enroll in a Medicare drug plan, you should compare your current Fund prescription drug coverage, including which drugs are covered, with the coverage and cost (including premiums, deductibles and co-payments) of the plans offering Medicare prescription drug coverage in your area. You should also consider the following:
l

prescription drug plan if you do not enroll in Medicare Part D;

l

If you join a Medicare prescription drug plan, you will NOT be reimbursed for the Part D premium by the Fund.

For more information about this notice or your current prescription drug coverage You will receive this notice annually and may receive it at other times in the future such as before the next period you can enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage, and if your prescription drug coverage through Fund changes. You also may request a copy of this notice or contact the Fund ofce for more information. For more information about your options under Medicare prescription drug coverage More detailed information about Medicare plans that offer prescription drug coverage is in the Medicare & You handbook from Medicare. Youll get a copy of the handbook in the mail every year from Medicare. You may also be contacted directly by Medicareapproved prescription drug plans. For more information about Medicare prescription drug plans: www.medicare.gov Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see your copy of the Medicare & You handbook for their telephone number) for personalized help, l Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
l l Visit

The Fund does not require that you join Medicare Part D for prescription drug coverage;

Because the prescription drug coverage you have with the Fund is on average for all plan participants, NOT expected to pay out as much as the standard Medicare prescription drug coverage will pay, you should consider enrolling in a Medicare prescription drug plan;
l

For people with limited income and resources, extra help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage is available. Information about this extra help is available from the Social Security Administration (SSA) online at www.socialsecurity.gov, or you call them at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). October 2012 Social Service Employees Union Local 371 Welfare Fund John Brown, Administrator 817 Broadway New York, New York 10003
The Unionist | October 2012

dent eligible for Medicare, you will continue to receive full prescription drug benets currently available to you under the Funds

l As a Fund enrollee and/or covered depen-

Protecting Your Union Activities

embers have expressed concerns that they may be the subject of retaliation by their agency if they become activists, delegates or alternate delegates, or if they participate in labor-management meetings at their location, le grievances, request Union assistance from location representatives or from the central Union ofce grievance representatives, testify as a witness in a co-workers arbitration or disciplinary case under the Unions Collective Bargaining Agreement with the City, or engage in other actions that involve the enforcement of their rights or the rights of their co-workers. Fears of retaliation include dismissal from employment, reassignment to a less desirable position, loss of overtime opportunities, denial of promotion, and the like. It is important for you to know that your right to engage in Union actions, called protected activities, is expressly protected by the New York City Collective Bargaining Law.

This law is administered and enforced by the New York City Ofce of Collective Bargaining. Under the Collective Bargaining Law, no Union member can be threatened or coerced from engaging in any protected Union activities. No Union member can be made to suffer any adverse employment action in retaliation for having engaged in any protected Union activities.

At Your Defense
A case led to enforce the law is called an Improper Practice case. The Union can le an Improper Practice Petition (IPP) with the Ofce of Collective Bargaining any time within four months from the date of any adverse action taken against you. The Unions grievance section and our attorneys le and handle such cases for you. And you get a formal hearing with the power to subpoena documents and witnesses. Neither City agencies nor managers lightly violate the law for this reason. The Union responds strongly when they do. When successful, an IPP requires that any adverse action taken against

you be cancelled and reversed. If you have suffered nancial loss (such as loss of salary and/or overtime), the agency will be directed to reimburse you for your damages. The agency will also be ordered to cease and desist from taking any unlawful action against you in the future for engaging in your protected Union rights. Dont be afraid to exercise your rights as a Union member to enjoy all of the benets and protections provided to you under the Unions Collective Bargaining Agreement with the City and the law. Dont be afraid to come to the aid of your fellow Union members when disputes with management arise. If you are a victim of retaliation for your efforts to assist, contact the Union ofce right away and your rights will be protected and enforced. If you have any questions regarding your rights under the law, or if you want to know whether a situation you are in is covered by that law, call the Union ofce and your questions will be answered. Lloyd Permaul, VP of Grievances and Legal Services

New Delegate Training

DOZeNs Of NeW delegates gathered at DC 37 headquarters Oct. 6 for a day of training and education for the Unions front-line advocates. Delegates are some of the most important people in the Union, as they are responsible for building power at each location, dealing with issues and ultimately creating an empowering environment where the management is fearful to ght the Union. SSEU Local 371 ofcers and staff went over the delegates role on locations, collective bargaining, grievance procedure, how to work with the Unions organizers and the history of the union. It is important to build with new front-line delegates, said President Anthony Wells. In addition, there were many seasoned delegates who came to help out the new ones and refresh their own abilities. Increased interaction with delegates has been a major part of the Unions campaign to build power in all of our work sites. We need you to be warriors, Wells said. The Union begins with you.
7

Pat Arnow

October 2012 | The Unionist

Condolences
Condolences are extended to Anthony Sweeney, delegate for CASA, SSE Chair and Caseworker on the death of his sister-in-law, Margaret, who died in September. Condolences can be sent to her son, Mr. John Sweeney, 128 John Street, Hauppauge, New York 11788. Condolences are extended to the family and friends of Richard Albrecht, Supervisor at HRA 250 Livingston Street, 6th Floor, who died Sept. 16, 2012. Condolences are extended to Isabel Santos on the death of her brother, Eliseo Leo Santos Rosario, who died Sept. 16. Condolences can be sent to SSEU Local 371, 817 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10003. Condolences are extended Pamela Davis, Caseworker at Ofce of Child Support Enforcement, Ofce #3 in Manhattan, on the death of her husband, Robert Davis, who died Sept. 12. Condolences are extended to the family and friends of former Executive Committee Member Anna Montlavo Eberhart, who died Aug. 29. Condolences can be sent to her husband, Mr. Joe Eberhart, 3163 West 44th Avenue, Queens, NY 11103 or daughter Myra Negron, 153 S. Oxford Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217.
Social Service Employees Union Local 371 817 Broadway New York, N.Y. 10003

Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY

Welfare Fund: No Co-Pay for Generic Contraceptives

The BOARD Of TRusTees of the Unions Welfare Fund has voted to eliminate the co-payment provisions for generic contraceptive drugs covered by the Funds Prescription Drug benet, effective January 1, 2013. This means Fund members and their eligible dependents will no longer be required to pay $5.00 for a 30-day supply, or $10.00 for a 90-day supply, of generic oral contraceptives covered by the Funds Prescription Drug benet. The co-payment requirements for brand-name contraceptive drugs$30.00 or 30 percent (whichever is greater) for a 30-day supply, or $70.00 for a 90-day supplywill remain in effect. The Trustees voted to eliminate the copayments for generic oral contraceptives in order to align the Prescription Drug benets coverage of contraceptives as nearly as possible to the provisions for coverage of womens preventive health care measures set forth in the new national health care lawalthough the Fund is not required by the law to provide such coverage. Members who have any further questions should contact the Welfare Fund, at (212) 777-9000, Ext. 3054.

Congratulations
Congratulations to retiree Neal Frumkin on the birth of his grandchild Kira Lisette White Sept. 11, entering the world at 7 pounds and 20 inches, and for his son Jesses completion of his Ph.D in computational biology.

BULLETIN BOARD
SWAP- Job Opportunity Specialist at Crotona Job Center #46 in the Bronx would like to swap with Caseworker at Queens Center #53 43-00 Northern Blvd, LIC; Queens FSCC Satellite, 34-00 Northern Blvd, LIC or East River Queens #37, One Honeywell Street, LIC. If interested, please call (718) 901-4583.

MemberS

CCSW Scholarships Awarded to Four

Ofcial 15-Day Election Notice

Ofcial 15-day notice is hereby given for the nomination and election of two (2) delegates and four (4) alternates for the Citywide delegation from the Department of Transportation (DOT). The election will take place on Monday, Nov 19, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in the Union Ofce, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, Manhattan.

The Unionist | October 2012

Photos: Dave Sanders

The Unions Committee of Concerned Social Workers awarded MSW scholarships to, above, Sajal Javid (second from left), Edith Robinson (center) and Jeremy Babb (second from right). In the photo at right, in the center is recipient Ava Feurier.