Volume 40 • Number 10
November 2010
Social Service Employees Rally for Their Safety
Photos: Pat Arnow
Union President Faye Moore rallied the crowd outside City Hall Park with VPs Beverly Mallory-Brown, Lloyd Permaul, Michelle
M
Akyempong and Anthony Wells.
ore than a hundred Union mem-
bers and supporters rallied at City
Hall Park on Monday, November
8 to demand mutual respect and
cooperation across all City agencies, in-
creased staffing to meet high social service
Health Care Reform and You: Changes Ahead
T he implementation of the historic
national health care reform bill (the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act) has begun, and many Union members
are wondering how it affects their benefits.
While many changes have and will take
place for plans around the country, the
Union has obtained a waiver for one of these
changes along with other labor organiza-
tions for whom this change would have
worked to the detriment of their members.
In terms of prescription drugs, the Union
Welfare Benefit Fund will maintain a $4,000
per member annual cap on drug spend-
Civil Service Roundtable Delegate Training in January CityTime Update
Page 4 Page 5 Page 5
demands, and better security for a safer
work environment.
“City Hall has to make safety a prior-
ity,” Union President Faye Moore told the
crowd. “The members of SSEU Local 371
are committed to providing social services
ing (only 2 percent of members exceed this
amount), however, the Fund’s Board of
Trustees can approve a member’s spending
beyond this amount on a case-by-case basis.
On November 23 the administrative fund
will meet to consider filing for an exemp-
tion from PPACA from the U.S. Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services for
pediatric dental care and prescription drug
coverage for children up to age 26.
Local 371 President Faye Moore explained
that the challenge in funding these types of
extensions stems from the fact that the City’s
annual contribution to the Fund has not
Brenda DeFares (left) and Janice Pemberton were among the
members who participated in the rally.
to the people of this City, and this Ad-
ministration needs to commit to protect-
ing them with interagency cooperation,
the proper amount of security, and profes-
sional respect.
Continued on page 7
changed in five years ($1,640 per full-time
member, $937 per part-time member).
“Since we don’t know the real impact of
PPACA on our funds, we have to rethink
our bargaining strategy in determining in-
creased contributions to our funds,” she said.
When asked about possible changes the
Fund will have to make to member ben-
efits, Moore added, “The goal here is to do
what’s best for the majority of the member-
ship and remain fiscally sound.”
As for medical insurance, which the City
handles, the age limit for children on mem-
bers’ plans will increase to 26 on July 1, 2011.
CALENDAR
November
24 Civilians in Law Enforcement Chapter:
6:30 p.m. Union Office, 15th Floor
25 Thanksgiving: an official City holiday
30 HPD Chapter Meeting: 6:30 p.m.
Union Office, 12th Floor
December
1 Hanukkah begins at sundown (not an official
City holiday)
Executive Committee Meeting:
6: 30 p.m Union Office, 12th Floor
6 Black History Committee Meeting:
6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor
7 Jewish Heritage Committee Meeting:
6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor
13 General Membership Meeting:
6:30 p.m. Advance Realty Building, 235 West
23rd St. in Manhattan
Black History Committee Meeting:
To be rescheduled
14 Shelter Chapter Meeting:
6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor
Committee of Concerned Social Workers:
6:30 p.m. Union Office, 15th Floor
15 Delegate Assembly: Canceled
16 Women’s Committee Meeting:
6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor
21 Alumni Association Meeting:
2 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor
22 Political Action Committee Meeting:
6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor
24 Christmas Day observed: an official
City holiday
25 Christmas Day
26 Kwanzaa begins (not an official City holiday)
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
Faye Moore
Executive Vice President
Yolanda Pumarejo
Secretary-Treasurer
Joe Nazario
V.P. Negotiations & Research
Anthony Wells
V.P. Organization & Education
Beverly Mallory-Brown
V.P. Grievances & Legal Services
Lloyd Permaul
V.P. Legislation & Political Action
Michelle Akyempong
V.P. Publicity & Community Relations
Michelle Conklin
Trustees
Michael Ballesteros
Yolanda DeJesus
Melva Scarborough
Editor
Ari Paul
Associate Editor
Jessica Ramos
Visit us on the web at www.sseu371.org
2 The Unionist | November 2010
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 find 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 Fund’s
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 carefully – it 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
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 first become
eligible for Medicare and each year from November 15
through December 31. Beneficiary’s 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 Medicare’s 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
19 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:
lT
 he Fund does not require that you join Medicare Part D for
prescription drug coverage;
lB
 ecause 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;
lA
 s a Fund enrollee and/or covered dependent eligible for
Medicare, you will continue to receive full prescription
drug benefits currently available to you under the Fund’s
prescription drug plan if you do not enroll in Medicare Part D;
l Ifyou 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 office
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.
You’ll get a copy of the handbook in the mail
every year from Medicare. You may also be
contacted directly by Medicare-approved prescription
drug plans. For more information about Medicare prescription
drug plans:
lV
 isit www.medicare.gov
lC
 all your State Health Insurance Assistance Program
(see your copy of the Medicare & You handbook for their
telephone number) for personalized help,
lC
 all 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should
call 1-877-486-2048.
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).
November 2010
Social Service Employees Union Local 371 Welfare Fund
John Brown, Administrator
817 Broadway
New York, New York 10003
212-777-9000
Union to City: Training Needed in ACS/DJJ Merger
“Proceed with caution,” the to better serve a unified membership. with the Union as it oversees the merger.
Union told the City Council Friday, In her testimony, Moore suggested that ACS and DJJ Commissioner John Mat-
November 12 regarding the merger of ACS “consider opening more City-run tingly testified that the merger will achieve
the Administration for Children’s Services non-secure detention group homes,” as it a $2-million savings for the City and
with the Department of Juvenile Justice. already operates two, in order to reduce would not result in any job losses.
“Will do,” the Council replied. the population of incarcerated youth. “We have to stay vigilant,” Gonzalez
President Faye Moore testified at a Council Juvenile Justice Commit- told the Unionist. “Our concern is that
joint hearing of the Council’s General tee Chair Sara Gonzalez vowed that the nobody is displaced and nobody loses their
Welfare and Juvenile Justice Committees Council would continue “our partnership” job and that there’s strength in training.”
about legislation that would formalize the
merger. She praised the goal of expand-
ing alternatives to juvenile detention, but
Women’s Committee Holds Domestic Violence Seminar
warned that workers in the two bodies
require different skill sets.
“ACS protects children; DJJ detains
children,” Moore said. “Local 371 stands
ready to work with the new agency to en-
sure that our members’ commitment to all
of these children is appropriately enhanced
with training, and reasonable policies and
procedures.”
The Union underwent a merger of its
own earlier this year, as it absorbed Dis-
trict Council 37 Local 1457, which repre-
sented nearly 400 DJJ employees, in order

Aleah Barley
SOCIAL WORK LICENSING
PREP COURSE
The Local 371 Women’s Committee held its annual seminar on domestic violence on October 13. The speaker was Cheryl
Arrangements have been made for workers in Williams, a noted life coach who spoke on a number of topics including the myths that have grown around domestic violence.
The Women’s Committee is co-chaired by Helen Wilson (seated), associate administrator of Local 371’s Welfare Fund, and
ACS to participate in a distance learning LMSW
Union member Margaretta Mormon.
Licensing Exam Prep Course. The preparation
course series, offered by Hunter College School of
Social Work, will be held on December 13, 15, 20,
EDUCATIONAL FUND OFFERS PREP COURSE
and 22, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the following
locations: The Educational Fund is offering an Online Civil Service Examination Preparation Course for the Associate Contract
Specialist Exam # 1505, scheduled for January 8, 2011. The online course will be available at: http://civil-tt.sseu371.
150 William Street, Manhattan
org from November 22 through January 8. Remember you must register in order to access the Study Manual.
2501 Grand Concourse, Bronx
Satterwhite Academy, Queens Supervisory Promotional Manuals will be available for members who have filed for the exam.
350 St. Mark’s Place, Staten Island
Manuals may be picked up at the Welfare Fund Office located at 817 Broadway, 15th Floor, NY, NY from 8:30 a.m. to
1274 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn
6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning Tuesday, November 23 through Friday December 3. Please bring work/
To register for the Prep Course, email David Mensch photo I.D. and proof of filing for exam along with completed coupon below.
at dmensch@hunter.cuny.edu. If you have questions
about the Prep Course, email Professor Harriet Associate Contract Specialist Exam
Goodman at hgoodman@hunter.cuny.edu. Information must be clearly printed to be processed.
For further information contact Yolanda Pumarejo at
the Union office (212)598-7053. Name _________________________________________________________________________________
Print Last First
Although taking an LMSW preparation course will
not guarantee you will pass the exam, the course Social Security Number___________________________
is designed to prepare candidates with test-taking
strategies and information about content areas on Home Address______________________________________________________________ Zip__________
the exam.
Work Phone ( )______________________________ Home Phone ( )______________________________
ALL UNION MEMBERS WHOSE JOBS REQUIRE A
SOCIAL WORK LICENSE ARE ENCOURAGED TO Work Location________________________________ Title_______________________________________
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS COURSE.
Please return coupon at the time you pick up manual.
Remember to bring work /photo I.D. and proof of filing for exam.

November 2010 | The Unionist 3

 Civil Service Roundtable Sheds Light
on Public Service and Politics
“The State of Civil Service in
New York City: A Roundtable Discussion,”
was the topic of the October 27 event,
held at District Council 37 Headquarters
in Manhattan. Union members and local
presidents of DC 37 packed the house for
an inside look at the history of civil service
and the current attacks against it.
SSEU Local 371 President Faye Moore,
in her capacity as chair of the DC 37 Civil
Service Committee that organized the event,
welcomed the esteemed panelists and guests.
The panel was comprised of prominent
authorities on the subject of civil service,
including City Council Member James
Sanders, Jr., who chairs the Council’s Civil
Service and Labor Committee (and is a
former Local 371 member); State Senator
Diane Savino, who chairs the State Senate’s
Committee on Civil Service and Pensions,
and is a former VP of Local 371; DC 37
Executive Director Lillian Roberts, who
is a VP of the NYS AFL-CIO and of the
Photos: Clarence Elie-Rivera
A packed room listened and submitted questions to the panelists about the current scapegoating of civil servants in the media and politics.
4 The Unionist | November 2010
NYC Central Labor Council, as well as
co-chair of the Municipal Labor Commit-
tee; and labor arbitrator and former chief
negotiator for DC 37 Al Viani, a former
president of Local 371.
Lisa Colangelo, reporter and civil service
columnist for the New York Daily News,
moderated the panel.
Roberts started the lively discussion,
declaring, “Tammany Hall is back,” a refer-
ence to the corrupt political organization
that held power in New York City in the
19th century.
Viani put the current assault on civil
servants into perspective, observing that
people look for a scapegoat when the
economy is bad, and that this is not the first
time civil servants have been blamed for
every ill in society.
Council Member Sanders warned that
the current administration “is trying to
make ‘civil service’ a bad word,” and uses
subtle tactics to replace unionized workers
Panelists seated l-r: Al Viani, Lillian Roberts, Diane Savino
and James Sanders. Standing is President Moore with Lisa
Colangelo at her right.
with high-paid consultants. He urged the
Union to educate the Progressive Caucus
in the City Council, stating, “They mean
well, but don’t have this history.”
Senator Savino stated civil service is, “an
arcane section of law,” that few legislators
are familiar with. Referring to the Long
Beach decision, she spoke of the DCAS
“five year plan” as “the unintended con-
sequence of legislation seeking a solution
where there was no problem.” She said
that rather than simply holding exams
as needed, the decision “was taken as an
opportunity to undermine civil service by
those seeking ‘flexibility’ to appoint who
they want, when they want.”
The Chief-Leader ran a full-page article
about the roundtable event, and a videotape
of the full panel discussion can be viewed on
the Union’s website at www.sseu371.org.
In closing remarks, President Moore
summed up by stating, “Civil service is
under attack. We will not win this fight if
we wait for someone else to step up and do
it for us.”

CityTime has
Close to No Time
Defense giant Science Applica-
tions International Corporation has
squeezed nearly $700 million out of
New York City taxpayers’ pockets in the
last 10 years despite failing to uphold its
end of the bargain. SAIC was to get all
165,000 City workers on the biometric
hand-scanning system for only $63
million, 1,011 percent less than what has
been paid; yet only 71,000 workers are
currently on the system.
Back in June, NYC Comptroller
John Liu and the Independent Bud-
get Office
testified
before the
City Council
against the
infamous
boondoggle.
The City-
Time con-
tract has
expired since
and Liu has
not only
Liu warns City contractors.
refused to
renew it, but given SAIC until June 30,
2011 to complete its work for an addi-
tional $32 million, or it will be charged
$3 million per month until all workers
have been put in the system.
City Workers Save Money
Sharp criticisms of CityTime from
SSEU Local 371 and other unions were
directed toward SAIC getting paid close
to $1 billion for work City employees
could be doing, and the fact that the
old time-keeping system was working
efficiently. Instead, hundreds of workers
face layoffs every year. The Comptrol-
ler said in a statement September 28
that hand-scanning will be optional in
the future, and that City employees will
service 50 percent of the system. “Today,
we also reaffirmed our commitment
to responsible electronic timekeeping,
added safeguards to ensure City employ-
ees are treated professionally, and sent a
strong message that the days of private
companies holding us hostage are over,”
Liu said.
–Jessica Ramos
November 2010 | The Unionist 5
DHS Worker Assaulted by Security Guard
Union Intervenes and Presses for More Job Safety
A Superintendent of Adult Institutions
with 20 years on the job was assaulted
and placed in handcuffs by a Depart-
ment of Homeless Services (DHS) Special
Officer assigned to his work location. On
“Never in my life did I think this would
happen on the job.”
Workers at the location notified the
shelter administrator, who directed secu-
rity staff to release the Superintendent,
Sunday, August 1, Union member Charles who was then offered medical assistance.
Senu was the Superintendent in charge of At the behest of the Union, DHS opened
Operations during the 2:00 a.m. to 10:00 an investigation into the incident, and two
a.m. shift at the Bellevue/30th Street Shelter, Sergeants were transferred from the facility.
where he has worked since 1996. As a result of the assault, Senu suffered
Senu and one of the Assistant Super- injuries to his shoulder, elbow, and hand.
intendents of Welfare (ASW) had just He has filed a Workers’ Compensation
diffused a dispute between two shelter claim, and receives physical therapy three
residents when three DHS Special Of- times per week.
ficers came into his office and accosted The Union is responding to an alarm-
him, acting as if he was the one causing ing spike in these types of incidents: two
the disturbance. Child Protective Specialists were as-
According to Senu, the Sergeant saulted by Police Officers during a child
grabbed his right arm, twisted it behind protective removal on June 30, which was
his back, slammed him face down on the reported in the July/August 2010 issue of
desk, and ordered the two other officers the Unionist. Local 371 members rallied
to restrain him. He was then handcuffed at City Hall Park on November 8 to draw
and taken to an office waiting area, where attention to the issue of the safety of social
he was handcuffed to a chair and made to service workers on the job. (See story,
wait for half an hour. “Clients and staff page 1).
were watching in amazement,” said Senu. – Michelle Conklin
Sign Up Now for Delegate Training
Local 371 will hold a one-day orientation session on Saturday, January 22, 2011 for Delegates and
Alternate Delegates elected in 2010 at District Council 37, 125 Barclay Street, Manhattan (Rooms 1-4).
If you are interested in attending, you must fill out the coupon below and fax it to (212) 477-4863,
attention Beverly Mallory-Brown, Vice President of Organization. Space is limited, and the session is
filling up fast.
Workshops on a variety of subjects related to City workers will be presented, important materials will
be distributed, and a continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. The session will be from 8:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Delegate Training is an important annual service offered by the Union.
“When Delegates and Alternates complete this session, they will know how the Union is structured
and run, how to write and file a grievance, how to conduct a meeting, how to interpret and enforce the
contract, and much more,” said Mallory-Brown, the coordinator of delegate training. Union officers and
staff will be on hand to meet and assist participants in the training session.
Fax coupon to VP Beverly Mallory-Brown, (212) 477-4863. Please print clearly.
Coupons must be received by January 6, 2011.
Name___________________________________________ SS#________________________
Address_____________________________________________________ Apt.#_____________
City____________________________________ State_ ______ Zip Code__________________
Phone (work)______________________________ Phone (home)_________________________
Work Address_ ___________________________ Agency_ _____________________________
Ari Paul Joins
Union Staff as Editor
of the Unionist

A ri Paul became the editor of the

Unionist, after the Union’s Execu-
tive Committee approved the hiring
October 6.
Before coming to the Union, Paul

LeShane Lindsey
spent three years as a staff reporter for
The Chief-Leader, covering municipal
unions and the civil service. Prior to that,
he was a strategic researcher for UNITE
HERE, assisting in organizing cam- Moore Speaks on Public Sector Panel
paigns in the food service and laundry in- Union President Faye Moore was a panelist at a roundtable discussion on the current attack on public sector
dustries around workers. The event took place on October 14 and was organized by the Left Labor Project. The panel also
the country. included Communications Workers of America Local 1180 President Arthur Cheliotes, Transport Workers
Paul, a resi- Union Local 100 Representative Steve Downs, and Ed Ott, distinguished lecturer in labor studies at the Murphy
dent of Brook- Institute. The panel took place at Local 1180’s lower Manhattan headquarters and was moderated by Lester
lyn, has a B.A. Muata Green of DC 37 Local 2507.
in history from
the Univer-
sity of Michigan
and an M.S.
in journalism
from Columbia
5 YEARS AGO November 2005 15 YEARS AGO November 1995
“TRAPPED IN KATRINA’S WAKE “UNIONS AND CITY REACH TENTATIVE
University. When 30-year-old [Union member] Adzua Opare, AGREEMENT: ENSLEY VOTES ‘NO’
“I am very her mother and 78-year-old grandmother flew to The Municipal Labor Coalition, headed by
excited to join New Orleans at the end of August for five days of District Council 37 Executive Director Stanley
the proud legacy at the Unionist,” Paul music, food, sightseeing, and fun, the last thing Hill, reached a tentative agreement November
said. “And I look forward to meeting and they expected was to be thrust into a nightmare 17 with the City on a five-year-contract with no
working with the membership.” they’d never forget. But when Hurricane Katrina raises in the first two years and a total worth of
hit with 160-mile-per-hour winds on Monday, 13.29 percent in wage and benefit increases.
August 29, the day they planned to leave, and Local 371 President Charles Ensley, criticizing
the levees gave way a day later, they found the bargaining process and the content of the
Is your themselves trapped in a situation that was out
of their control. ‘I saw people dying in front of
package, voted ‘no,’ as did Local 420 President
James Butler, representing municipal hospital
location me,’ says Adzua, ‘And the police would come
by and leave a plastic bag to put them in. I saw
workers.”

hosting babies pass out. People were having seizures 20 YEARS AGO November 1990
a holiday
and they gave them a blanket. But through it “CITY UNIONS TAKE 1990 CONTRAcT FIGHT INTO
all, everyone was orderly and tried to help each THE STREETS; TELL MAYOR NOT TO BALANCE

party for clients? other out.’” BUDGET ON WORKERS’ BACKS

A sea of determined City workers backed by
10 YEARS AGO November 2000 strikers from the Daily News, Greyhound, and
If so, have the Unionist cover it! Every “LOCAL 371 GETS OUT THE VOTE Eastern flooded City Hall Park on Wednesday
year, the Unionist travels around Responding to the most hotly contested election night, November 7, demanding a contract now.
the City to report on holiday parties in modern history, AFSCME activists from all over Led by Stanley Hill, head of District Council
members of SSEU Local 371 have the country descended upon states like Michigan 37’s 140,000 members, and Barry Feinstein
organized for their clients. and Pennsylvania that were up for grabs in the of Teamsters Local 237, the crowd of nearly
presidential sweepstakes. Savino [Local 371’s 10,000 chanted loudly and clearly, ‘What do we
For more vice president of legislation] was impressed by want? A contract. When do we want it? Now.’
information, the enthusiasm generated by organized labor in The rally came a day before Mayor David Dinkins
please call this election campaign. ‘Everywhere we went, was scheduled to release his revised financial
Jessica Ramos at workers told us that this was the first time union plan for Fiscal Year 1991, designed to close
(212) 677-3900, volunteers had come to their homes to speak projected budget gaps. Dinkins has been under
extension 3011. about why it was so important to vote and what severe pressure from the financial community
was at stake for working people.’” to keep contract costs down.”

6 The Unionist | November 2010

Social Service Employees Rally for Their Safety
Continued from page 1

Increased demands for social services have

caused crowded and unsafe work conditions
in Job Centers and other agencies across the
five boroughs. On June 30, police assaulted
two Child Protective Specialists while
conducting a Child Protective Removal. On
August 1, a Special Officer at the Bellevue
Shelter assaulted a Superintendent of Adult
Institutions (see story on page 5). Seven
violent incidents against PATH workers and
numerous instances of clients threatening
workers and security staff at Job Centers
have been documented this calendar year.
To make matters worse, as service
demands have soared Mayor Bloomberg
has imposed a hiring freeze and demanded
that agencies cut their budgets, overbur-
dening the workforce.
Representatives from several DC 37
locals–including 372, 420 and 1549–the More than 100 Union members and supporters demonstrated for worker safety outside City Hall Park. The Union is responding
United Federation of Teachers, DC 1707, to an uptick in assaults against City workers.
and Transport Workers Union Local 100
attended and spoke at the rally, many stat-
ing the importance of worker solidarity in
these times.

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio rallied members.

Union President Faye Moore, center, is flanked from left to right by Tammie Miller of the United Federation of Teachers, Togba Porte of
DC 37 Local 420, Santos Crespo of Local 372, Local 371 VP Anthony Wells and Eddie Rodriguez, president of DC 37 Local 1549.

Member Denise Relf, with President Moore, spoke in favor of

Member Francine Johnson marched up Broadway. Member Alfredo Crossman urged more safety on the job.
the assault bill.

November 2010 | The Unionist 7

Congratulations
Congratulations to Linda McAdams, Caseworker at Kings- Periodicals Postage
bridge Field Office, on her retirement December 17 after 21 Paid at New York, NY
years of City service.
Congratulations to Olga Kovner, Fraud Investigator at Social Service Employees Union
IREA/BEV, on her retirement November 12 after 13 years of
City service. Local 371
Congratulations to Jacqueline Diaz, CPS Supervisor I at 817 Broadway
the ACS Queens Field Office, on her retirement September New York, N.Y. 10003
24 after 22 years of City service.

Condolences
Condolences are extended to Tracey Jordan, Supervising
Investigator at DJJ, on the death of her mother, Grace Lawrence,
on October 5. Condolences are extended to Tracey Jordan, 177
Willis Avenue #13C, Bronx, NY 10454.
Condolences are extended to Warren Dandridge, Union
Delegate and Associate Contract Specialist at Small Busi-
ness Services, on the death of his mother, Pearl Dandridge,
on November 1. Condolences may be sent to Warren
Dandridge, 70 Heberton Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10302.
Condolences are extended to the family and friends of
Spencer Evelyn, Associate Fraud Investigator in HRA/BFI, on
his death on October 16. Condolences may be sent to Sheila
Evelyn, 832 East 221 Street, Bronx, NY 10467. Carmen Davis-Jones, Executive
Condolences are extended to Eulyn Damon, Caseworker
at Brooklyn APS, on the death of her mother, Florry Damon Committee Member, Dies
O
on October 14. Condolences may be sent to Eulyn Damon,
1253 Rogers Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11226. ur Union family mourns the loss of of the challenges
Condolences are extended to Brenda Parris, Supervisor at
Linden Model Center #67, on the death of her young daugh-
Carmen Davis-Jones, Executive she faced in her
ter, Sarah Parris. Condolences may be sent to Brenda Parris, Committee member, Supervisor I life, she always
216 Rockaway Avenue #20E, Brooklyn, NY 11233. and Delegate at Adult Protective Services, found the time
Condolences are extended to Odessa Boyd, Supervisor I 400 8th Avenue in Manhattan, who died on to help others.
at HRA/FIA in Brooklyn on the death of her father, William L.
Boyd on October 10. Condolences may be sent to Odessa October 11. Her co-workers
Boyd, 1048 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221. Carmen understood the meaning of at APS remember
Condolences are extended to Peggy Rodriguez, Associate struggle. Her mother died when Carmen her as a friend
Fraud Investigator I at HRA/BEV in Brooklyn on the death of
her mother, Mrs. Gladys J. Hodge of Spring Hope, North Caro- was only six. Her first husband died when and Delegate who represented them well,
lina. Condolences may be sent to Peggy Rodriguez c/o HRA/ Carmen was pregnant with her ninth child. and truly had their best interests at heart.
BEV, 250 Livingston Street, 5th floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Yet, less than a year later, she returned to Carmen is survived by 11 children and
Condolences are extended to Antoinette Dreckette, Senior
Fraud Investigator, on the death of her husband, Samuel school, earned her GED, and went on to 10 grandchildren. Condolences may be
Dreckette on October 3. Condolences may be sent to Antoi- earn her Bachelor’s degree. sent to her daughter Dunana Davis at 532
nette Dreckette c/o HRA 444 Linden Boulevard, Brooklyn,
NY 11203. Carmen always wore a smile, and was a Flushing Avenue, Apartment 2C, Brooklyn,
Condolences are extended to Iris Bracy-Cooke, Union role model for those who knew her. In spite NY 11222.
Delegate and Caseworker at the Crotona Job Center, on the
death of her daughter, Theresa Bracy-Jackson. Condolences
may be sent to Iris Bracy-Cooke c/o Crotona Job Center,
1790 Grand Concourse, 3rd Floor, Bronx, NY 10457.
Long-time Union Member and Staffer Retires
Isabel Santos, DC 37 Union Representative, retired September 1 after 43 years of service.
Members’ She became a member of SSEU Local 371 as a Case Aide at the Public Service Career Training
BULLETIN BOARD Program in 1967 right after the Union’s landmark strike ended that same year. Santos said she learned
WANTED- Top cash paid for your old jazz, soul, R&B and gospel the power of unionism from her father, at the time a member of the cafeteria workers union.
albums. Call Howard at (212) 873-4016.
Santos saw first hand how civil servants struggled to attain better job
FOR SALE- Large ceiling fixture, dolly, luggage, dishes, pots,
glassware, gift items, never worn size small ladies’ clothing
protections and higher pay. After much upheaval to let Case Aides become
including dark brown Borghese faux fur jacket, never worn boots Caseworkers in the Human Resources Administration, the title became provi-
and shoes size 8, large American flags, books, new cordless
telephone with clock radio, electrician’s meters and tools, lots
sional in 1976. Santos helped set up three AIDS Division (HASA) Centers, and
more. Call (718) 430-1769 and leave a message. in 1988 left HRA to join the Union staff as an Organizer. In 1990, she became
SWAP- CWS at IOC System Support Program, 150 William a DC 37 Rep.
Street, would like to swap with CWS in Manhattan, Bronx or
Queens. If interested, please call (212) 676-7448.
Santos is a founding member of the DC 37 Lesbian and Gay Issues Com-
SWAP- CPS at ACS/FSU 2501 Grand Concourse in the Bronx
mittee and the Local 371 Women’s Committee, and has served on various
would like to swap with CPS at 1200 Waters Place in the Bronx. heritage committees over the years.
If interested, please call (718) 679-7561.
“I have spent two-thirds of my life working for the Union, working for the
SWAP- CPS at ACS 190-25 165 Street in Queens would like
to swap with CPS in the Bronx. If interested, please call (516)
members, and it has been very gratifying,” Santos said. “I saw my role as a vehicle for members whose
754-2051. rights are being violated and believe I’ve made a great contribution to the [labor] movement.”
CLASSIFIED ADS are free to Union members and agency Noting that she will join the Union’s Alumni Association and the DC 37 Retirees Association, Santos
shop fee payers in writing only (typewritten if possible) to THE
UNIONIST, 817 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003. Include your
emphasized, “It’s important to stay active now. Unions are in trouble and they need us.”
work phone with ad copy, but work phone numbers will only be SSEU Local 371 wishes Isabel Santos a long and happy retirement!
printed with swap transfer ads. In no instance will ads run longer
than three months. No real estate or business ads accepted. The
Union neither endorses nor is responsible for these offerings. 8 The Unionist | November 2010