Volume 43 Number 9 October 2013

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

www.sseu371.org

Make Your Voices Heard: Vote Nov. 5!

Ari Paul

The Union helped Letitia James (above) virtually clinch the public advocates race. But its not over. Story on page 3.

CALENDAR
OCToBER 2013
16 Delegate Assembly: 6:30 pm, 235 West 23rd Street in Manhattan 17 Next Wave: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 21 Latino Heritage Committee: 6:30 pm Union Ofce, 12th Floor 23 Political Action Committee: 6:30 pm Union Ofce, 12th Floor 24 HPD Chapter: 6:30 pm Union Ofce, 12th Floor 30 Civilians in Law Enforcement: 6:30 pm Union Ofce, 12th Floor

Standing Up for Our Future

NoVEMBER 2013
6 7 Executive Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor Black History Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor

13 Womens Committee: 6:30 pm Union Ofce, 12th Floor 14 Committee of Concerned Social Workers: 6:30 pm Union Ofce, 12th Floor 18 Latino Heritage Committee: 6:30 pm Union Ofce, 12th Floor 19 Alumni Association: 2:00 pm, Union Ofce, 12th Floor 19 Political Action Committee: 6:00 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 20 Delegate Assembly & General Membership: 6:30 pm PS 40, 319 E. 19 St. in Manhattan 21 Next Wave: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor

his month I had the pleasure to be in the presence of some incredible labor activists, true trade unionists who know that when we come together as one the Union is stronger than any commissioner or mayor. SSEU Local 371 hosted a delegate training in the Catskills for three days of intense training in everyday workplace organizing and defending our rights and members on the job. Our theme this year was Stand, a reminder that we must be proactive, rather than reactive. This is important because the members are the ones who truly run this Union and make it strong. We cant simply implement our agenda through discussions with managers or with our political organizing alone. We need dedicated activists to hold management accountable at every work site, in every borough and in every agency. This month, I saw a group of delegates energized and willing to do that. We need that energy now more than ever, because we have a number of ghts in the near future. The Housing Authority is continuing to push its lay off agenda, and we along with other unions and politicians have let the authority know that we will not tolerate even one termination. We have to use that energy to make sure that Bill de Blasio is elected mayor and Ken Thompson is elected Brooklyn district attorney. We need them in ofce but we also need them to remember that we supported them, so that we can be sure that their agenda is our agenda.

We need dedicated activists to hold management accountable at every worksite...

Looking Ahead
I know that we can be successful, because we have been successful in the past and because these 300 delegates I met and worked with this month voiced their commitment to ght back. I was particularly impressed to see many delegates at the training who have less than ve years in the position, which should let us know that the Unions commitment to ghting back is spreading. Lastly, I was reminded that trade unionism means putting the Union before yourself. We may disagree about policies or strategies, but at the end of the day we agree on fundamentals: We want a fair contract. We want retroactive pay. We want to end to privatization and contracting out. When we come together as one we can make that happen. God bless you and God bless the Union. Anthony Wells

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 Juan Ortiz 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 Ensley Scholarship

The rst annual fundraising event for the Charles Ensley Scholarship will take place Thursday, Jan. 23 2014 at Russos on the Bay in Howard Beach from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. Honoring the legendary leader who served as SSEU Local 371 president for two decades, the scholarship will nancially support members pursuing a labor studies degree. Ticket prices are $125 per person or $1,000 for a table for ten. Members can also donate to the fund by sending a check payable to The Charles S. Ensley Memorial Scholarship to Deborah Williams, SSEU Local 371, 817 Broadway, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10003.

2 The Unionist|October 2013

Political Victory Is Within Reach

he landslide election of Letitia James for public advocate in a run off vote Oct. 1 indicates that the political winds in New York City are changing, and its because of the grassroots efforts of unions like ours. Unions and community groups are also coming together to push Bill de Blasio and Scott Stringer into the mayor and comptrollers ofces, respectively. These political developments show that it is near certain that the post-Bloomberg era will be dened by the 99 percent, and not by the insatiable avarice of the parasitic business elite, said Michelle Akyempong, the Unions vice president for political action. That is something to celebrate. James, a virtual lock in the General Election, will be the rst African-American woman to hold the Citys third highest ofce. This Union knows James well, as she has been a regular xture at our events and has stood with us at rallies against privatization, outsourcing and CityTime. But more than that, she has used her City Council seat to grill administration ofcials when necessary, especially when it came to social services and housing, a trait she will bring to the ofce of the ombudsperson.

Daneek Miller, left, spoke to members last month.

October 2013|The Unionist

Continued on page 8 3

Photos: Ari Paul

History Made

Akyempong and the other dedicated members of the political action committee worked tirelessly to inform voters about the race and why James was the right choice. SSEU Local 371 knew it was important to back James, and with phone banking and outreach our Union showed that our voice matters, Akyempong recalled after learning of Jamess victory. There are two lessons from this. One, when SSEU Local 371 members come together and organize a campaign we are powerful enough Bill de Blasio attended SSEU Local 371s holiday party last year and was to shape policy in this warmly received. City. Two, when James ing classes. We are making it clear that is the public advocate the new administrations agenda must be next year she will remember who put her our agenda. there. The 1 percent is scared, and that should The Union also helped in the primary remind us how powerful our voice is. victory of Daneek Miller, president of De Blasios opponent, a hoary antique from Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1056, the Giuliani administration, has pulled virtually ensuring him a City Council seat irrelevant moments from the Democrats in Queens, again showing the strength of past to paint him as some sort of dangerous SSEU Local 371s organizing. Having a radical, and the outgoing mayor denounced labor leader in the City Council will show him as a racist. Akyempong, long rethat, in general, labors political inuence garded as an astute observer of the political in the City is on the ascendance. The Unions work is not done, however. scene within the labor movement, scoffed at this, saying, Members should not fear We need to mobilize to ensure that de these asinine accusations, as they are the Blasio is elected mayor. President Andeath rattles of a bankrupt ideology. thony Wells said, Unions, tenant groups and other social justice organizations are building a campaign behind de Blasio that A New DA The Union has endorsed Ken Thompis showing the nation that a new kind of son for Brooklyn district attorney. He progressive political agenda is possible, defeated incumbent Charles Hynes, who one that listens to the middle and workhas needlessly over-prosecuted two of our Special NYCHA Meeting former members. Thompson, a Democrat, will face Hynes, running as a Republican, The Union is holding special meetings for members in the General Election. He will need our working in the Housing Authority concerning community centers and the campaign to save jobs. support to put him in ofce. Thompson, a successful civil rights attorney, spoke to the The meetings will be held Oct. 29 at the Unions SSEU Local 371s executive committee, headquarters at 817 Broadway in Manhattan on and vowed not only to restore a semblance the 12th oor. of justice to the ofce if elected but also to The rst meeting will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. make labor rights a focus. The second meeting will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Stand! The Union Co

n a show of renewed energy and solidarity, more than 300 delegates and alternates packed into a conference facility in upstate New York this month for intensive training in grievance handling, labor relations and most importantly, organizing the rank-and-le against management attacks and getting workers more involved in the Union. What was incredibly refreshing about this training was how many newer delegates were in attendance. As several delegates noted, it was an opportunity for workers to meet their compatriots in other agencies and other boroughs. This years theme, Stand, is meant as a sense of pride in union activity and that ones activism here is why members have good civil service jobs with benets and a pension. But it is also a reminder that

John English of AFSCME spoke about Wisconsin.

President Anthony Wells inspired members about everyday organizing.

Over the course of three days, delegates and alternates were inspired and energized for the ghts ahead of them.
4 The Unionist|October 2013

All photos: Ari Paul

omes Together for Delegate Training

these things should not be taken for granted, and that members need to stand up and ght against any attempts by management and the 1 percent to violate our contract, cheat us out of overtime, weaken our union rights and push us out of the middle class. management sit down and negotiate, said Union President Anthony Wells. Lobbying, political outreach and media campaigns are important, but they are built on the work that every day leaders do at all locations, large and small. Having strong leaders on the shop oor to inspire to the rankand-le to recognize that they are the backbone of this union is what makes SSEU Local 371 a mighty, mighty union. The Unions Organizing section had built off the model of the Unions previous out-ofcity delegate training weekend in 2011. This years weekend event was bigger and more comprehensive for sure, said section VP Armenta Weekes, whose staff worked tirelessly for weeks to make this years event what it was. We hope to improve upon this model and have other events like this in the future. The three-day training also offered celebrations and commemorations of the Unions history, including a slideshow on the life and career of Joseph Nazario, the Unions secretary treasurer and career-long union activist who died last year.

Members First
An organized workplace and strong delegates and alternates are what make this Union strong, theyre what make

State Sen. Diane Savino

Newer delegates spoke to each other about their roles as leaders in the Union.
October 2013|The Unionist

Henry Garrido, associate director of DC 37.

5

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.  It 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, 2013 through December 7, 2013. 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 2013 Social Service Employees Union Local 371 Welfare Fund John Brown, Administrator 817 Broadway New York, New York 10003 212-777-9000
The Unionist|October 2013

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-

Updates from the Fund

THE UnIonS WELFARE FunD has a few updates that are important to the health and wellbeing of our members, including a whole host of improvements at our dental ofce and some changes regarding the prescription drug benet. when the dentist is explaining their course of treatment. Since the installation of the new software, we have begun to use digital x-rays. There are many advantages to digital x-rays namely, that the patient is exposed to approximately 85 percent less radiation than normal x-rays. These x-rays can be enlarged, do not have to be developed and are available instantaneously. To compliment the new digital software, a new digital panoramic x-ray unit has been installed. An implant referral program was created for those members who are patients of the Funds dental ofce. There is a select network of specialists who insert the implant at their private ofces. The patient then returns to the Funds dental ofce to have the crowns over the implants placed and the treatment plan is completed. Additionally, a near-term goal is to reduce the waiting time for appointments for new patients and to reduce the time between appointments for existing patients. There will be additional changes in the future. The Welfare Fund will inform you as they occur.

Formulary Changes to Coverage under Prescription Drug benet

The Welfare Fund was recently notied by Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI), the Prescription Benet Management (PBM) for the Funds Prescription Drug benet that it intends to introduce signicant changes to its National Preferred Formulary effective January 1, 2014. These changes will affect coverage for certain prescription drugs (mostly for Asthma drugs) under the Funds Prescription Drug benet. The Fund is working to convince ESI to delay implementation of the changes, and hopes to report progress on this matter in the near future.

Modernization of the Dental Ofce

Over the past 24 months, the Welfare Fund has been improving and modernizing the Dental Ofce. The rst and perhaps most important step, was to hire a clinical manager, Dr. Ronald Milth, who is responsible for instructing our dentists on new techniques, review treatment plans, insuring that the dentistry performed is of high quality and provide leadership to the dentists. The next phase was to modernize our computer systems. New practice management software was installed that will allow the dental ofce to become paperless. All records, including x-rays, are stored electronically in the system. New monitors were mounted in each operatory that enables the patient to see their x-rays clearly

Welfare Fund Update (correction)

Acceptable documentation for student certication: Copy of bursars receipt or a letter from the educational institution each semester certifying your dependents status as a full time student.

Report: ACS Managements Ignorance Led to Child Deaths

Brooklyn grand jury this month issued a biting report noting that the Administration of Childrens Service ignored recommendations to overhaul the agency that could have avoided 19 child deaths. The ndings in the 102-page report vindicate much of what SSEU Local 371 has said in rallies and before the City Council: The ACS workforce is understaffed and overworked, making it impossible for the front line workers to adequately serve the clients the agency is mandated to protect. And the Union has said in the past that unless this decit is addressed children will die.

are indicative of the existence of a systemic failure within the troubled agency. SSEU Local 371 President Anthony Wells said, The Grand Jury report chided ACS for not implementing these recommendations, failing to properly supervise workers, failing to provide adequate training, and failing to support its workforce. The report also recommends that more than a single

Helping Bell and Adams

The report also bolsters the legal defense of two former ACS workers and SSEU Local 371 members, Chereece Bell and Damon Adams, who are facing charges of negligent homicide in the tragic death of Marchella Pierce in Sept. 2010. The Daily News reported, The panel concluded [Pierces] tragic death, along with at least 18 others citywide between 2005 and 2010, could have been prevented and that serious errors and shortcomings
October 2013|The Unionist

Members protesting ACS and the DA in March 2011.

caseworker do the initial investigation where there is high risk, alleged criminal activity and/or where there are a large number of children listed on the allegations. The report also discusses the implementation of caseload limits and limits on the amount of overtime on a weekly basis. Andrew White, the director of the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School, which publishes the journal Child Welfare Watch, noted that since Ronald Richter took the helm of the agency in Sept. 2011 some of the problems in these arenas have been addressed. Nonetheless, its not impossible to nd aws today, he told the Unionist. There are still a lot of improvements to be made, no doubt about it. The Union has also had a good working relationship with Richter, Wells said, and hopes to work with him on these issues. Bells attorney, Joshua Horowitz, told the Daily News, The report makes it clear these unfortunate tragedies were fairly common. Chereece was an excellent worker whos being unfairly blamed for endemic problems.
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Pat Arnow

Condolences
Condolences are extended to the family and friends of Jose Otero, Assistant Fraud Investigator and Delegate at BEV in the Bronx Field Ofce, who died in October. Condolences may be sent to Yosmari Lotz, c/o Bronx Field Ofce, 555 East Tremont Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10457. Condolences are extended to Elma Francis, Child and Family Specialist at 150 William Street, on the death of her mother, Julia Hazel Dalmau, who died Sept. 24. Condolences may be sent to Elma T. Francis, Child and Family Specialist, Administration for Children Services, 150 William Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10038. Condolences are extended to the family and friends of Bashir Dademade, at HRA/ the Fair Hearing Division, who died in September. Condolences may be sent to Sarah Dademade, 636 Lenore Lane, Elmont, NY 11003.
Social Service Employees Union Local 371 817 Broadway New York, N.Y. 10003

Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY

Political Victory Is Within Reach

Continued from page 3

15-Day Election Notice

Ofcial 15-day notice is hereby given for the nomination and election of three (3) members of the Election Committee to be elected by the membership for the General Ofcers Election. To be eligible to run for election as a committee member, one must be a member in good standing. The nomination and election of these three (3) members of the election committee will be held at the General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, November 20, 2013, 6:30 p.m. at PS 40, 319 E. 19 St. between 1st & 2nd Aves., on the right side of the street in Manhattan.

This is the rst time I can remember a candidate for District Attorney in any of the boroughs coming to speak to our executive committee, Wells said after the meeting. This shows our strength and inuence. The game is being played, and were in the ballpark. Akyempong noted that political organizing doesnt stop after Election Day. When these ofcials who we helped elect take their oaths of ofce Jan. 1, we as unionists and as voters must also vow to continue to agitate and hold these leaders to their promises, she said. This will mean coming to political action meetings, going to rallies and going to City Council meetings and showing that our voices will be united long after the votes are tallied.

Ken Thompson addressed the Unions Executive Committee.

African-American Day Parade, 2013

Lists Extended
The Unions Research and Negotiations section has shown its skills in labor-management jujitsu and is happy to report two list extensions. The Sup I (social services and social workers) list has been extended to Feb. 2015 and the Associate Fraud Investigator list has been extended to Oct. 2014. This is a big victory for our membership, and shows the strength of our ability to get these lists extended, said section Vice President Rose Lovaglio-Miller. We hope to provide more good news like this in the future.

Members marched proudly in last months parade through Harlem.

8 The Unionist|October 2013

Ari Paul