The Unionist September 2013

8/13/2019 The Unionist September 2013

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Volume 43 Number 8September 2013

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

CRISIS

INTERVENTION

SSEU Local 371 members

experience crisis on the job

all the time. The Union has

cultivated its resources to

help. Heres how its working.

Story on page 3.


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2 The Unionist | September 2013

SEPTEMBER17 Black Heritage Committee:6:30 p.m.

Union Office, 12th Floor

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

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

25 Political Action Committee:6:30 p.m.


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

26 Caribbean Heritage Committee:6:30p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

OCTOBER1 HHC Chapter:6:30 p.m.


2 Executive Committee:6:30 p.m.Union Office, 12th Floor

3 Black Heritage Committee:6:30 p.m.Union Office, 12th Floor

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

9 Womens Committee:6:30 p.m.Union Office, 12th Floor

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

16 Delegate Assembly:6:30 p.m.235 West 23rd Street in Manhattan

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

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

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

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

CALENDAR

Published monthly except for a combined issue in July/August and a Supplement in January by the SocialService 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: TheUnionist, SSEU Local 371, 817 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y. 10003.

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

PresidentAnthony Wells

Executive Vice PresidentYolanda Pumarejo

Secretary-TreasurerJuan Ortiz

V.P. Negotiations & ResearchRose Lovaglio-Miller

V.P. Organization & EducationArmenta Weekes

V.P. Grievances & Legal ServicesLloyd Permaul

V.P. Publicity & Community RelationsPatricia Chardavoyne

V.P. Legislation & Political ActionMichelle Akyempong

TrusteesVincent CiccarelloYolanda DeJesusMelva Scarborough

EditorAri Paul

Visit us on the web at www.sseu371.org

Fighting for

Our HealthR

ecently, there has been a lot of discussionsurrounding healthcare, so Id like to briefly discussthe impact of the Patient Protection and AffordableCare Act, sometimes called Obamacare, on the

Unions welfare fund. As of this January, welfare funds witha prescription drug benefit can no longer have a cap. Ourshas a $4,000-per-member cap that will be removed, causing asevere financial strain.

For example, in cases where members may be dealing with severe illnesses, the

drugs they need may cost between $100,000 to $200,000. If there are 100 such mem-bers it would cost the fund more than $10 million. This presents a challenge becausethere is only a set amount of money available and the City has not increased itscontributions in more than a decade. The welfare trustees, attorneys and healthcareconsultants have been working on this issue for the past three years. In the recent

past, we have asked and been granted a waiver toretain the cap. As we move forward, we will keepthe membership informed as to solutions that webelieve address this problem.

The Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) hasreached an agreement with the City on the termsand conditions of the Health Insurance Dependent

Verification Audit. Members are strongly advisedto adhere to the provisions of the agreement. Itshould be noted that only members with dependents on their healthcare insurance

will receive an audit letter. The deadline to provide proof of eligibility of dependentsmust be submitted by Oct. 4 (see page 7 for details).

Our Benefits

In general, there has been a continuous dialogue about healthcare benefits for Cityworkers. There are many who are misguided and blame the Citys economic woes onpensions and healthcare. They go as far as claiming that City workers do not con-tribute to their healthcare, an outright falsehood. As the battle for healthcare wageson, we will stand united and fight for our right to receive this basic benefit.

Finally, as we went to press, the election season began with the primaries Sept. 10.We fulfilled our duty to vote and make our voices heard. There is a lot at stake, suchas getting a contract that includes retroactive raises, cost containment on healthcareand more funding for the welfare funds. The issues of privatization and the civilservice merit system are also crucial to our future, and we must remain vigilant, in-formed and ready to fight union-busting and attacks on workers. Those who seek todivide, weaken and destroy the Union, whether they are in the Union or outside, willbe met with a collective and united fightback. We will participate in our destiny andshape the future of the Union. God bless you and God bless the Union.

Anthony Wells

We will...fight for

our right to receive

this basic benefit.


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September 2013 | The Unionist 3

CRISIS INTERVENTION

Using Our Job Skills To Help

Our Members

For Richard Bond, a Child Pro-tective Supervisor II based inBrooklyn, the idea had seemedperfect. Just before being elected

SSEU Local 371 president, Anthony Wellsapproached Bond, a trained social workerwith expertise in therapy, with the idea ofdoing mental health counseling for mem-bers going through traumatic situations.Bond wanted to put the idea into action.

Bond, like more than two dozen otherUnion members, began to volunteer forwhat would become the Unions CrisisIntervention Unit, an arm of the Unionsrobust health and safety program,launching officially in March 2012. Sincethen the CIU has intervened in morethan 30 separate incidents. Trained inhelping the public, these members aredispatched to work locations where othermembers are experiencing crises. Bond,

an original member of the CIU, has beendeployed to four interventions so far.

The very first one was a supervisorin HRA who lost her 9-year-old grand-daughter in an auto accident, Bond said.The members were distraught about theway the child died, and the person wasa beloved member of their team. Theyunderstand death, but sometimes theydont understand death when it comes to

a child.

Trained to Help

Bond uses the same techniques in socialwork with the members as he would in hisCity job. It is perhaps a situation tailor-made for SSEU Local 371: Our membersare trained to help members of the publicwith their traumas, and our members jobsare themselves traumatic. So who better tohelp than their fellow members?

Richard Bond: Addressing grief and stress on the job for members who need help the most.

AriPaul

SUPPORT BELLAND ADAMS!

We encourage all SSEU Local 371

members to join us in supporting

former members Chereece Bell and

Damon Adams when they returnto court Oct. 8 at 9:30 a.m. at

the courthouse at 370 Jay Street,

Brooklyn.

As Marilyn Clark, a Child and Fam-ily Specialist, explained, she brings herskills in doing group facilitations into thesettings with members. As a person whofacilitates group meetings it helps keep-ing the group focused and giving every-one the opportunity to say what they

need to say.Clark noted that many of the situationsfor which she intervened were regardinga member who died, leaving co-workersin mourning. Unfortunately, she ex-plained, management has often had a coldattitude toward members when a co-worker has died. Its good to give themthat opportunity to come together andtalk about the person and how theyrefeeling in terms of the person no longer

Continued on page 4


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being there, Clark said.Retiree Derek Saunders, a clinical

social worker who has been active withthe CIU from its inception, concurred.Management is not really concerned

because theyre just focused on the work,not how their colleagues are feeling, hesaid. So it is very, very important that wecan go in and speak to the workers. I havedone some grief counseling and I findthat they are very glad that were there.

Death on the Job

Bond recalled other incidents of theCIUs work, including when a belovedmember of an ACS site staff died sud-denly in her sleep. The outpouring wasoverwhelming, he said of the members

grief at the time. It reminded me of myown mothers death. People came in whoknew her. It was touching.

He noted that investigating these typesof issues has also increased the ability ofthe Union to address other problems in thefield. When the CIU responded to a mem-ber at the Department of Juvenile Justicewho was brutally beaten by an inmate, ithighlighted the perennial issue of assaultson the job. And Bond recalled, I alsoresponded to a First Ave. childrens center

incident where one of our adolescents camein with a straight razor. But there wereother issues there. We had to go down toput a lid on the emotions that were goingon. This was not just a crisis intervention.This was an organizational issue.

Staten Island-based Child and Fam-ily Specialist Marcelle Monroe recalledhandling an incident in which workers ather office were accidently locked inside awindowless room. The members began topanic, especially after police were unableto release them. Firefighters were eventu-ally able to break the lock, but needless tosay the members needed to address theiremotions after such a trying incident.I was able to meet with them and helpthem debrief and go through the pro-cess, Monroe said.

Feeling the Support

Brenda Cunningham, a Delegate at thechildrens center in Manhattan, noted thatthe CIU was instrumental in helpinga very stressed-out staff that often deals

with sex offenders and at-risk youth. The

Using Our Job Skills To Help Our MembersContinued from page 3

Marilyn Clark: Using her skills of group facilitation when her comrades need support.

Our members are trained to help members of the public with their traumas,

and our members jobs are themselves traumatic. So who better to help

than their fellow members?

staff was really frustrated and not gettingany support from management. CIU gaveus an outlet so we could express how wefelt, she recalled, noting that 30 percentof the staff came to meet with the CIU.

She suggested that other work locationscall on the CIU if they are having prob-lems. If they feel like they have nowhereelse to turn they should call on the CIU,she said. It brought us closer.

Alexis Davis, of the Unions health andsafety staff, said that the CIU has grownsignificantly as word of it has spreadthroughout the membership. Ive beengetting very positive responses from thepeople who have had the interventions,she said.

A Grand Plan

The CIU is also a part of a grandereffort to address workplace concerns. Forexample, the Unions Next Wave Com-mittee will host a stress-relief programmembers will be able to take advantage of.

While all of the volunteers in the CIU

are licensed social workers, the Union has

provided training specifically on crisis in-tervention before they went out into thefield. It heightened our skills, or gave usnew skills, said Monroe.

Clark believes that the CIU will bea larger presence in the Union in themonths and years to come and thatmore social workers will be inspired tobe involved in the CIU. As a part ofthe start-up committee, I did a lot ofinterviews for a lot of the members ofthe team, she said, noting that mem-bers who have encountered the CIU aretelling their co-workers about it. Wevegotten a lot of people who are interestedand more and more people are becomingaware of the Crisis Intervention Unit. Soits growing.

Saunders noted that the program issure to grow, stating, I find that some ofthe members really, really look forwardto us coming. They really do.

If your location is in need of the CIUsservices or you are a licensed social workerwho would like to get involved, please contact

Alexis Davis at (212) 777-9000.

Dave

Sanders


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Summer BBQ!

THE UNION HELDits first membership

wide barbeque in Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx,

Aug. 4. Members were treated to a wide variety

of food and drinks, and families were able to

sprawl out, play sports and mingle on what was

a perfect summer day. The plan was hatched by

Executive Committee member Al Crossman, who

hopes to see more events like this in the future.

Left: Executive VP Yolanda

Pumarejo plays dominos

with members. Right:

Members and their families

enjoyed food and sun.

Writing to Inspire, and Working to Serve

Maxcine Worrell, a Job Oppor-tunity Specialist based in theBronx, didnt intend to be an

author. In 2003, she was on maternityleave and began writing inspirationalshort stories and poems for her daughter

to read when she was old enough. Hermotivation was simple: Worrell had herown struggles in the past, like difficultiesin school, but was able to overcome thatand she went on to graduate college withhonors. Faith and hard work, can helpanyone overcome challenges, she said.

A Clients Vision

Then it hit her on the job. As a JOSworker, Worrell encountered manydesperate and struggling people, someof whom fell into substance abuse andothers who contemplated suicide dueto the stress of being out of work. Shebegan to give out her pieces in order togive her clients hope. One of them whohad been deeply moved by her writingtold her to publish them. So she did.

Deep Impressionis a collection ofthese works, which Worrell decidedto self-publish. If I can change onepersons life, I can help more people if

I put it into book form, she recalledthinking at the time.

Her drive to be an inspirationalwriter is rooted in her commitment tosocial services. Its beyond public as-sistance, she said of her job, which she

has held since 2002.

Drawing on Experience

The passages reflect on Worrells ownpersonal struggles and ability to over-come them, as well as passages aboutothers, including reflections on histori-cal figures and civil rights leaders.

She hoped that members, who oftenstruggle with things on and off the job,would be interested in the book. Tome, what I see at work is that memberscome into work with the things in theirlives. You can separate these things,she said, insisting that sometimes per-sonal issues are brought into the workplace. I see a lot of projection.

Writing is also a form of inspirationin and of itself for Worrell. For me,the writing is more of a spiritual nature.Mine is a blessing from God, she said.

The book is available through itswebsite at upbrowbookpublishing.com.

If I can change one persons life,I can help more people if I put itinto book form.

-Maxcine Worrell

AriPaul

StressReliefWorkshopIs your workload creating

stress? Are you experiencing

unfair treatment or bullying

on the job?

If so, the Next WaveCommittees stress

management workshop

might be right for you. The

Unions Crisis Intervention

Unit is helping to produce

this event.

When: Sept. 19

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Where: 817 Broadway,

12th Fl., Manhattan.


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T

he massive convergence onWashington, DC Aug. 25 wasntjust a commemoration of the 50th

anniversary of Martin LutherKings famous I Have a Dream speech,but a recognition that in 2013, the UnitedStates must continue to work to achieveDr. Kings vision of good jobs, equalityand justice.

Thats part of the inspiration that lednearly 150 SSEU Local 371 members,whose very jobs are inherently aboutaddressing the social ills of poverty andinequality that Dr. King spoke about,to be a part of this historic moment. Asmembers recalled, being around so manyactivists from around the country was anexhilarating experience.

Progress?

Since Dr. Kings time we have over-come Jim Crow, however, the countrystill suffers from other injustices. Thissummer the Supreme Court struck downa central part of the Voting Rights Act.A broken criminal justice system led tothe acquittal of George Zimmerman,a verdict that shocked the nation and

the world. Poverty and unemploymentcontinue to ravage the country in a post-Lehman Brothers age, and most acutelyharms communities of color.

Worst of all, governors continue todownsize government, especially the socialservice programs like the ones that em-ploy our members here in the City, at thetime the country is gearing up for anotherforeign military intervention. As MLK fa-mously said, A nation that continues yearafter year to spend more money on mili-tary defense than on programs of socialuplift is approaching spiritual doom.

A Unions Dedication

SSEU Local 371 has always had a com-mitment to civil rights, not just the labormovement, given the role social servicesplay in our society. The late CharlesEnsley, the Unions heroic president wholed the membership for two decades, wasclose with countless civil rights leadersduring his time in power. That is some-thing that has stuck with SSEU Local

371 and will remain part of its mission.

Jayme Steadman, a Sup I at ACS, re-called, It felt so good to come together asa union, being able to come back to whereour forefathers went before, adding that

it was momentous to meet other activistsfrom around the country. Being in thenations capital was uplifting and gave us areal sense of hope. As a union committedto racial and economic justice it is impor-

A DREAM, INDEED

Organizing Around MLKs Vision

MLK at the original march.

This year workers traveled to the nations capital to rally for jobs and justice.

SSEU Local 371 has

always had a commitmentto civil rights, not just the

labor movement, given

the role social services

play in our society.

tant to be a part of broader struggles andtoday our members demonstrated thatsolidarity, said Executive Vice PresidentYolanda Pumarejo. We must continue toshow up and keep the dream alive.

As a local union, our mandate in thisbroader struggle is clear. We can helpelect candidates who want to serve the99 percent, not Wall Street and the realestate industry. We can raise wages forworkers and push for more social ser-vices. Thats why whatever SSEU Local371 fights forwhether it is investing inprograms to combat homelessness and

provide affordable housing or to stopefforts to outsource public services toprofiteerswe must keep in mind thatour struggles are linked to the widermovement of achieving Dr. Kings dream.


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Important Health Insurance Audit Info

Last month, SSEU Local 371 sent a letter to membersinforming them of the recent agreement between theCity and the Municipal Labor Committee regarding

the health insurance audit. This was an issue of much con-cern for workers. Please consult the letter, reproduced below,to stay updated on the situation:

DearSSEULocal371Members,TheHealthInsuranceDependantVerificationAudit(audit),theCitysentouttoemployeesandretireeswaschallengedbytheMunicipalLaborCommittee(MLC),becausetheCityfailedtonegotiatecertainmandatorysubjectsofcollectivebargaining.TheMLCobtainedaTemporaryRestrainingOrderfromtheNewYorkStateSupremeCourtagainsttheCity,prohibitingfurtherimplementationoftheaudit.Thereafter,theCityandtheMLCmetan

danagreementwasreachedtopermittheAudittocontinueunderthefollowingconditions:1.ThedeadlinetoprovideproofofeligibilityofdependentsmustbesubmittedbyOctober4,2013.ThisisanextensionfromtheSeptember20,2013date.2.IfanemployeeorretireeselfreportsdependentsthatneedtoberemovedbyOctober4,2013thatemployeewillnotbesubjecttoA)recoupmentofmoneyfrompremiumsorclaimsincorrectlypaid,orB)disciplinarycharges.3.IfanemployeeorretireesubmitsproofofdependenteligibilitybyOctober4,2013deadlineandtheirdependentseligibilityisdenied,thereisathree-stepappealprocessthatendswithanexpeditedarbitration.Duringtheappealprocess,nodependentwilllosecoverage.Ifaftertheappealprocessadependentisultimatelydeemedineligible,theCityhasindic

atedthatitwillnotseekrecoupmentwhenthereisreasonabledisagreement(s)ormisunderstanding(s)ofeligibility.4.Further,theconfidentiallyandprivacyofsubmittedproofwillbeprotected.Oncetheproofisaccepted,itwillbedestroyedandtheCitysconsultantwillverifythedestructionofthesubmittedproof.Ifthereisanybreachofconfidentialityorprivacy,theMLC,theindividualorhis/heremployeerepresentativewillhavearighttofilealawsuitagainsttheCitysconsultantoritssubcontractorsthatreceivedthesubmittedproof.5.Inaddition,theCitywillsupportlegislationthatwillensurenocriminalchargeswillbebroughtagainstanyemployee/retireeifthatemployee/retireeselfreportsdependentswhomustberemovedbyOctober4,2013.Also:Ifyoudonothaveanydependentsyouwillnotreceiveanauditletter.Ifyouhavechildrenwhoaredependentswhoresideinaforeigncountrytheywillstillbecovered.OncetheagreementisfullyexecutedbytheCity,theMLCandtheBoardofCollective

Bargaining,itwillbesubmittedtotheCourttoorderthesettlement.

Insolidarity,

AnthonyWellsPresident,SSEULocal371



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Social Service Employees Union

Local 371

817 Broadway

New York, N.Y. 10003

Periodicals Postage

Paid at New York, NY

SWAP-Caseworker at HRA/HASA Hamilton Center #72,

530 West 135th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, wouldlike to swap to HRA/HASA Waverly Center #13 at 12 West14th Street, 1st Floor, NY, NY 10011. If interested, call(917) 628-3238.

SWAP-Associate Job Opportunity Specialist at HRA/FIAat Center #66 in Bushwick, 30 Thornton Street, in Brook-lyn, would like to swap to Center #70 in Far Rockaway, orCenter #67 in Brooklyn. If interested, call (718) 963-5163.

SWAP-Fraud Investigator II at BFI at 250 Church Streetin Manhattan would like to swap with to BEV in Queens,Manhattan or Brooklyn. If interested, call (212) 274-4388.

BULLETIN BOARDMEMBERS

Condolencesare extended to Stephen

Alexander, Sup I, HRA/FIA Back 2 Work at

America Works, 1600 Central Avenue, on the

death of his mother, Estelle Alexander, who died

in August. Condolences can be sent to Stephen

Alexander, P.O. Box 761, Roosevelt , NY 11575.

Condolencesare extended to Migdalia

Gonzalez, Sup I, ACS /CACFP, on the death of her

father, Fernando Gonzalez, who died Aug. 12th.

Condolences may be sent to Migdalia Gonzales,

66 John Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10038.

CongratulationsCongratulationsare extended to Rose Lamour,

Sup I, at Queens CASA, on the birth of her

grandson, Leonardo Abreu born Aug. 10 at 3:45

p.m. weighing 7 and a half pounds.

Condolences

Computerizing Member BenefitsTHE UNIONSHealth andWelfare Fund is updating its computersystem, which will not only make forsmoother sailing for all the hard-workingfolks in the office, but also make it easierfor SSEU Local 371 members to check ontheir benefits.

The new system will allow for membersto go online to look up the status of theirclaims. The user-friendly system will let

members know where a check might be orhow they can better use their benefits.

The Fund and the Unions computerteam are doing double time to make thebest system possible, said Union PresidentAnthony Wells. Im confident that mem-bers are going to use this system when itsup and running, and it will make it easierfor all members to know where they stand.

Check the Unions website for updates.

Welfare Fund UpdateThe Unions Health and Welfare Fund

has a few important updates in regards

to important benefits members should

make a note of.

1. To replace a prescription benefit

card, please go to www.medco.com

and register with your social security

number. Print a temporary card and

Medco will send you a permanent

card in 10 days.

2. If you move, please submit a new

enrollment card at the Welfare Fundsoffice at 817 Broadway, 15th Floor,

Manhattan.

3. Acceptable documentation for

student certification: Copy of

bursars receipt of a letter from

the educational institution each

semester certifying your dependents

status as a full-time student.

We also accept documentation

from www.studentclearinghours.com

(nominal fee of $2.50).

The Lillian RobertsScholarship

The DC 37 Education Committee has estab-

lished a new scholarship named for Executive

Director Lillian Roberts.

To be eligible, you must be pursuing an under-

graduate or graduate degree or be enrolled and

have completed at least one year of study in an

undergraduate or graduate degree program at an

accredited college or university with a minimum

grade point average of 2.75 or have completed

the first course in a cer tificate program at an

accredited technical school with a grade of at

least C.

Your course of study must be one that will

benefit the community you live in or be in human

services, education, health care or labor studies.

The scholarship will be awarded once a year

by lottery drawing at a meeting of the DC 37

Education Committee.

For 2013, the application deadline is Nov. 1, and

the scholarship will be presented in Decem-

ber. Applications are available from the DC 37

Education Committee, 125 Barclay St, New York

NY 10007, Room 814, or on the unions website,

www.dc37.net.

The Unionist September 2013

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Transcript of The Unionist September 2013