SSEU LocaL 371 is pleased to announce that the Assault Bill, a main legislative priority, was passed by the State Legislature and is on its way to the governor’s desk.

In recent years assaults on social service workers have risen sharply in numbers and have worsened in intensity all over the city. We believe these incidents are directly related to our troubled economy, and this new bill, which will make it a felony to assault these workers, aims to provide a deterrent effect.

Labor UnityThis bill wasn’t solely about our Union,

but all social service workers. Labor lead-ers such as DC 37 Executive Director Lil-lian Roberts and Eddie Rodriguez, who serves as both DC 37 president and the head of Local 1549, stood alongside our leaders in pushing for this bill. The Union also had the support of Arthur Cheliotes, president of Communications Workers of America Local 1180, who represents members who work in the same agencies as our members.

A Management AllianceBy nature, unions spend a lot of time

fighting the bosses, but when workers and management stand together for a politi-cal cause it gains support from a majority of voters. In April, SSEU Local 371 and other unions held a press conference at City Hall with agency commissioners, elected officials and Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs, who all agreed that the Assault Bill was necessary for protecting City workers but also for allowing these agencies to run

smoothly and serve clients.“Having the support of City officials

showed Albany lawmakers that this wasn’t about liberals versus conservatives or management versus labor, but rather a common sense solution,” said Union Vice President of Political Action Michelle Akyempong. “The press conference and rally afterwards made it harder for oppo-nents of the Assault Bill to argue with us.”

Support from LawmakersThe Union spent months mobilizing

its political resources, and built alliances with influential lawmakers such as State Senators Marty Golden and Diane Savino (a former SSEU Local 371 vice president) as well as Assembly Member Peter Ri-vera, who were able to get the support of

other key legislators, including Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who played a criti-cal role in advancing the bill.

This is why the Union’s political out-reach efforts matter so much.

The Union took members to Albany to visit State Senators and Assembly Mem-bers and explain why the Assault Bill was so important. Further, the Union brought members who had been victims and wit-nesses of assaults, giving lawmakers a human face for the issue.

Union members wrote letters in support of the Assault Bill to key lawmakers who were delaying votes on the measure. Piles of physical letters and emails clogging up inboxes sent a clear message to Albany that the bill had broad, popular support.

Volume 42 • Number 7July/August 2012

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

Why the 2012 Election Matters AFSCME National Convention Accommodation Rights Page 3 Pages 4-5 Page 7

A PAth to Victory

What the Assault Bill Passage teaches Us

SSEU Local 371 President Anthony Wells speaks at a press conference at City Hall in April, surrounded by City and State officials, in support of the Assault Bill. This labor/management effort was key to passing the bill.

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aUgUSt21 Alumni Association: 2:00 p.m.

Union Office, 12th Floor

22 Political Action committee Meeting Cancelled

22 civilians Law Enforcement Meeting Cancelled

SEptEmbEr5 Executive committee: 6:30 p.m.

Union Office, 12th Floor

10 Latino heritage committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

11 committee of concerned Social Workers: 6:30pm Union Office, 12th Floor

12 Women’s committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

13 Jewish heritage committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

14 Latino heritage celebration: 5:30 p.m. DC 37, 125 Barclay Street, in Manhattan

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

19 Delegate Assembly: 6:30 p.m. Advance Realty Building, 235 W. 23rd St., in Manhattan

26 Political Action committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

civilians Law Enforcement Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 15th Floor

cALENDAr

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

PresidentAnthony Wells

Executive Vice PresidentYolanda Pumarejo

Secretary-treasurerJoe Nazario

V.P. Negotiations & researchRose Lovaglio-Miller

V.P. Grievances & Legal ServicesLloyd Permaul

V.P. Publicity & community relationsPatricia Chardavoyne

V.P. Legislation & Political ActionMichelle Akyempong

trusteesVincent CiccarelloYolanda DeJesus Melva Scarborough

EditorAri Paul

Visit us on the web at www.sseu371.org

It was a great June for the labor movement and this local in particular. The State Legislature passed the Assault Bill, which will make it a felony to attack our members on the job. Thanks to the

leadership of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, the bill passed unanimously in the Assembly and overwhelmingly in the Senate. We want to thank the membership, whose participation was crucial to the success of our campaign. We also thank our sister union leadership; DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, Eddie Rodriguez of Local 1549 and Arthur Cheliotes of CWA Local 1180 were active partners. Finally, we also thank Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs, Commissioners Robert Doar (HRA), Ronald Richter (ACS) and Seth Diamond (DHS) for their support of the legislation. Clearly, the work of Vice President Michelle Akyempong and Hank Sheinkopf led the campaign. It was the efforts of all involved that got this bill passed. We await the Governor’s signature.

In June, the City Council passed the Mayor’s Executive Budget, and for the first time in years, child welfare layoffs were taken off the table early in the budget process. Workers at risk of layoffs did not have to wait until June 30 to know whether or not they had jobs. They knew in May,

taking away months of nervous anticipation. Furthermore, the City Council restored 73 ACS positions that will keep our members safe.

We also scored an impressive victory in AFSCME. Lee Saunders was elected president and Laura Reyes secretary treasurer at the national convention held in Los Angeles. We supported them and many of our delegates, alternatives and members volunteered in the campaign. It was an exciting and invigorating convention. The Saunders/Reyes administration will bring that same energy to AFSCME. They will provide the leadership we need to fight against cutbacks, attacks on our bargaining rights and attacks on our pensions.

We congratulate President Gerald McEntee on his retirement. We thank him for his three decades of service as president of AFSCME and his record of fighting for working Americans.

the Way ForwardAs the summer begins to close, we are continuing the fight to save CASA

and protect the nearly 900 workers at risk. The campaign against the Medicaid Redesign Team’s privatization of CASA is on track. We have been organizing a field operation that includes visiting senior centers to inform and form coalitions. We have met with officials to discuss alternative and supplemental programs. We have reached out to President Saunders, Executive Director Lillian Roberts, Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for their support and assistance. As always, we need you, your voices, energy and strategy. We can only be successful in any fight back if we all pull together.

– Anthony Wells

We need you, your voices, energy and strategy.

“”

A Winning Streak

July/August 2012 | the Unionist 3

Latino Heritage CelebrationPlease join us Sept. 14 at DC 37 headquarters for a very special Latino Heritage Celebration. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event is free.

The kick-off will be a cultural presentation by Conjunto Nuevo Milenio, which the Brooklyn Arts Council describes as “a group of dedicated, professional dancers, with a passion and love for Panamanian tradition and the mission to educate the public about the beauty, diversity and richness of its culture.”

We are also honored to have AFSCME Secretary Treasurer Laura Reyes, who previously served as president of California’s United Domestic Workers, as the event’s keynote speaker. She is also the first woman to hold the Number 2 spot at AFSCME.

Finally, members will be treated to the sounds of Ray Castro’s Conjunto Clasico, which BBKingblues.com describes as maintaining “the traditions of Puerto Rican influences and that aggressive New York style harmony vocals...The unique sound sets this band apart from all the rest.”

Members were treated to a night of music and dancing at this year’s Caribbean Heritage celebration June 29 at DC 37 headquarters, which included several musical performances and a full spread of traditional West Indian food.

Caribbean Heritage, 2012

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Bringing the Union Spirit to the DNc

T his will be Julia Rodriguez’s sixth trip to the Democratic National Conven-tion as a delegate, but this one in

Charlotte matters a lot, she said. The SSEU Local 371 retiree, who still

serves as a Democratic Party District Leader in the Bronx and works at a health care center, believes that President Barack Obama has been working hard to get the country on track, but has been stopped by Republicans in Congress. She also thinks working people need to stand up to the Republican agenda led by the party’s can-didate, Mitt Romney.

“Four years is not enough to change the whole system,” Rodriguez said. “He has to be reelected. Romney is not for the middle

class or for poor people. Romney is for the rich people. For me, President Bush destroyed this country, so Obama’s got to be elected.”

Rodriguez is going both in her capacities as an SSEU Local 371 retiree (she is going with other delegates from DC 37) and as a Democratic Party leader, but she noted that it was her time as a Union activist under the leadership of the late, former President Charles Ensley where she learned how to fight for working people.

The Union urges members to reg-ister to vote and vote in November.

“This is how we as middle class people make our voices heard,” said

Vice President of Political Action Michelle Akyempong. “If we band together and speak loudly, I guarantee that the people in power will hear us.”

Secretary Treasurer Laura Reyes

Julia Rodriguez admires a photograph of President Obama.

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4 the Unionist | July/August 2012

who, in his previous capacity as AFSCME secretary treasurer, aided our Union in various local campaigns. He also has deep roots in the New York City la-bor movement as well, working closely with DC 37 leadership. It is no small matter that we are going to have a direct line to the office of AFSCME president.

“This is going to make SSEU Local 371 stronger than ever before,” Wells added.

SSEU Local 371 played an enormous role, along with other unions, in getting Saun-ders elected as well, building coalitions with leaders from all across the country. In addition, Wells nominated DC 37 Exec-utive Director Lillian Roberts for her successful reelection as AFSCME vice president. Eddie Rodriguez, who serves as both DC 37 president and Local 1549 president, was also reelected to that position.

“This shows how strong the New York delegation is,” Wells said afterwards.

A large group of SSEU Local 371 rank-and-file members joined Union

officers and staff to witness a landmark moment in the American labor movement in Los Angeles at the end of July: the election of a new president and secretary treasurer of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employ-ees (AFCSME).

Our Union is one of the many local affiliates of this storied national union. The election of Lee Saunders as president and Laura Reyes as secretary trea-surer breathed new life into this union. SSEU Local 371 sent a 100 percent united message that it believed Saunders had proven himself worthy of leading this great union. This new national leadership is ready to face the attack by right-wing governors around the country and their loyal talking heads in the media,

who have wrongly blamed the nation’s economic woes on hard working civil servants, rather than greedy bankers and so-called “free market” policies.

“This is a step forward for the labor movement and for working people,” said Presi-dent Anthony Wells as mem-bers rallied through the Los Angeles Convention Center upon hearing of Saunders and Reyes’s victory. “Lee and Laura are going to bring this union together for the fight back from coast to coast.”

Saunders succeeds Gerald McEntee, who led AFSCME for three decades. During the convention, local leaders from around the country spoke from the convention floor to thank and commemorate his leader-ship and dedication to the labor movement and public service.

SSEU Local 371 has a strong relationship with Saunders,

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Also at the convention, AFSCME settled outstanding charges of improper handling of the last officers’ election at SSEU Local 371. The national

Laura Reyes, left, and Lee Saunders celebrate their victory.

SSEU Local 371 members were front and center on the convention floor.

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panel found no wrongdoing, thus upholding the officers’ election and ending the acrimony.

“We have gone through all the proper channels, heard all

President Anthony Wells addressed the convention with fellow members and officers.

Lee Saunders and Laura Reyes enjoyed support from the New York delegation. Below, the SSEU Local 371 delegation gathered at the convention center.

SSEU Local 371 members were front and center on the convention floor.

AFSCME: A Landmark Moment

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can concentrate on the fights that affect our membership,” Wells said. “We’re happy to have this behind us.”

6 the Unionist | July/August 2012

on thE Front LinES

Protecting Adults, Willing to ‘Go Anywhere’caSEworkEr Terrence Thom of Adult Protective Services is responsible for representing the interests of a certain set of clients: hoarders. “We do a lot of eviction protection,” he said in an interview outside his downtown Brooklyn office building. “So we do financial management.”

People like Thom not only do home visits, helping to clean out clients’ residences, but also represent them in court to help them get prop-er guardians and legal protections. “Basically, APS represents anyone over the age of 18 with mental or physical impairments,” he explained.

Thom works closely with psychiatrists, who treat the clients and suggest how the agency should work with them. “We go out with them,” Thom said of the psychiatrists.

Thom, who has been working in APS since 1999, said that he has learned a lot about mental illnesses while on the job. “It can happen to anyone, regardless of status,” he said. “We see all types of people.”

This makes each day on the job unpredictable, and Thom never knows what to expect when he meets a client for the first time or enters a home.

“You have to have no fear,” Thom said. “Once you have no fear, you’ll go anywhere.”

It’s a lot of work, but he unwinds by working nights as a vendor at both Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden. “That’s a stress buster for me,” he said.

But, he added that the work itself is very rewarding. “When you resolve a case,” Thom said, “it makes you feel good.”

Terrence Thom says his job is rewarding.

Power of MediaThe Union reached out to reporters in both print and broadcast media,

giving members the ability to express their views to a wider audience. The more the media covered the Union’s support for the Assault Bill, the harder it became for politicians to ignore the need for this important legislation.

In addition to news stories, the Union took out paid advertising in smaller newspapers to get our message out to the public.

Central to this tactic was getting our message clear: Opponents of the Assault Bill erroneously claimed that it would criminalize clients. Using the press enabled the Union to show that the bill did not aim to do that. It would protect workers and make it easier for them to perform these vital social services.

Upcoming EventsLabor on the MarchPlease join the Union and the rest of the labor movement Sept. 8 at this year’s Labor Day Parade, where we will march down Fifth Ave. Workers’ rights are under attack, and we need a big turnout to show the City that SSEU Local 371 will fight back.

Meet at the Union office (817 Broadway) at 8:30 a.m., where members will receive t-shirts and we will gather for our annual photograph.

African American Day ParadeCome out with the Union on Sunday, Sept. 16 for the 43rd Annual African American Day Parade from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

We will be meeting at 112 Street and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. at 1:00 p.m. For more information, call Debbie Pitts at (212) 815-1113.

Election NoticeOfficial 15-day notice is hereby given for the nomination and election of eight (8) members of the Delegate Assembly to the Executive Board, and will be conducted at the Delegate Assembly on Sept. 19, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at the Advance Realty Building, 235 West 23 St., between Seventh and Eighth Aves., in Manhattan.

Notices of Examination caseworker:Exam No.: Filing and testing Period:3337 July 6, 2012 - October 31, 20123338 November 1, 2012 - February 28, 20133339 March 1, 2013 - June 29, 2013

child Protective Specialist:Exam No.: Filing and testing Period:3340 July 6, 2012 - September 29, 20123341 October 1, 2012 - December 31, 20123342 January 2, 2013 - March 30, 20133343 April 1, 2013 - June 29, 2013

Juvenile counselor:Exam No.: Filing and testing Period3000 August 1, 2012 - September 7, 2012

Assault Bill WinContinued from page 1

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important officer NewsThe Union would like to inform members that Ingrid Beaumont has resigned from her position as Vice President of Organization and Education. We wish her well.

The Union will keep members informed about future changes in this section of the Union.

July/August 2012 | the Unionist 7

Accommodation rights: Disabled but Able to WorkWhat constitutes a Disability?

As most of our members are aware by now, under the Federal

(the Americans with Disabili-ties Act), State (the New York State Human Rights Law), and New York City Human Rights Law, City workers who are disabled may not be discrimi-nated against because of their disability, provided they are able to perform the essential tasks of their position with or without being provided with a reasonable accommoda-tion. The term “disability” is defined restrictively under the federal Americans with Dis-abilities Act (ADA) as being limited to individuals having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The New York State Human Rights Law defines “disability” more broadly, as a physical, mental or medical impairment result-ing from an anatomical, physi-ological, genetic or neurologi-cal condition that prevents the exercise of a normal bodily function, or is demonstrable by medically accepted clinical or laboratory techniques. The State law, unlike the Federal law, does not require a sub-stantial limitation of one or more major life activities for an individual to be considered disabled. The New York City Human Rights Law defines the term “disability” the most broadly of all the laws, stat-ing that a disability means any physical, medical, mental or psychological impairment, or history or record of such an impairment.

The Federal, State and City laws all require the City of New York and its agencies and

departments, to provide indi-viduals having a disability with a reasonable accommodation, if providing the reasonable ac-commodation would enable the employee to perform the es-sential duties of the employee’s position. There appears to be considerable confusion among the membership regarding what constitutes a reasonable accommodation, and what the employee is required to do to obtain the needed reasonable accommodation.

What is a reasonable Accommodation?

A reasonable accommoda-tion can take many forms. It includes making existing workplace facilities readily accessible and usable to all employees who have a dis-ability; changing an employee’s job requirements so that the employee can still perform duties consistent with his or her job title, but eliminating certain duties that the employ-ee cannot perform because of the disability; modification of the employee’s work schedule; reassigning the employee to another position that is vacant that has duties the employee can perform; obtaining or modifying equipment, such as purchasing an air purifier for an employee with asth-matic or related conditions, or providing an employee with a reader or an interpreter to assist in the performance of the employee’s work. The agency may also be required to grant a disabled employee a leave of absence, even if doing so would be contrary to the agency’s usual leave policies.

Reasonable accommoda-tions do not include provid-ing non-work related aids, such as a personal hearing aid or wheelchair, which are the employee’s own responsibility,

or the creation of a completely unique position with either qualifications or functions tailored toward a disabled in-dividual’s abilities. The agency is also not required to provide a disabled employee with a particular accommodation if doing so would create an undue hardship on the agency, either in terms of cost or from an operational standpoint.

Of course, whether a re-quested accommodation would be reasonable, in which case it would have to be provided, or whether providing it would constitute an undue hardship to the agency, in which case it would not have to be granted, is a question that has to be re-solved on a case-by-case basis.

receiving a reasonable Accommodation: the interactive Process

In order to obtain a rea-sonable accommodation, the disabled employee must inform the agency that a reasonable accommodation is needed. This should be done in writing and given to both the location head and the agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) department. Once the request for a reasonable ac-commodation has been made, and proof is provided dem-onstrating the need for the accommodation (a doctor’s note or other medical docu-mentation may be required), the burden then shifts to the agency to either provide the reasonable accommodation requested, or demonstrate that it would be an undue burden for it to do so.

This also begins the in-teractive stage, in which the employee and the agency are required to communicate with each other regarding the spe-cifics of the reasonable accom-modation required and what is

to be provided. If the agency offers an accommodation but the employee believes it is not sufficient to provide him or her with what is needed to en-able the employee to perform the job, the employee must respond to the agency’s offer, explain why it is not adequate, and specify what is needed. Again, medical documentation may be required to support the specific reasonable accommo-dation requested. It is essential that the employee engage in this interactive process in a timely and meaningful manner in order to ensure that his or her legal rights will be pro-tected and that the reasonable accommodation will be ob-tained. Of course, the agency is also legally required to engage in this interactive process, and if it fails to do so its failure will have adverse consequences for the agency in favor of the disabled employee.

Of course, every case is dif-ferent, and what the agency is required to provide will vary based upon the exact factual situation presented. The important thing is that you understand that if you are a person with a disability, you have a right to receive a reasonable accommodation.

If you do all this and you are unable to obtain the reasonable accommodation you require, or if you have any questions about whether you are disabled or regarding the reasonable accommodation procedure in your agency, simply contact the Union’s grievance section for assistance. The grievance staff and the Union’s attorneys are experienced in dealing with these matters and they will assist you in obtaining the reasonable accommodation to which you are entitled.

–Lloyd Permaul, VP of Grievances and Legal Services

8 the Unionist | July/August 2012

Social Service Employees UnionLocal 371817 BroadwayNew York, N.Y. 10003

Periodicals PostagePaid at New York, NY

DELEGAtE:

The Union Starts with You

Condolencescondolences are extended to family and friends of Mark Limerick, Caseworker at HASA Waverly Center, who died on August 7. Condolences can be sent to The Wiggins Family, 868 N. Man O War Dr., Inverness, FL 34453.

condolences are extended to the family and friends of Andrew Marum, Caseworker at HRA/APS, who died on July 13. Condolences can be sent to Lisa Marum, 3901 Independence Ave., Apt. 3L, Bronx, NY 10463.

condolences are extended to Nicholas De Jesus, Fraud Investigator I, on the death of his father, Nicholas De Jesus, who died on July 13. Condolences can be sent to Mr. Nicholas De Jesus Jr., BEV/IREA, 250 Livingston St., 6th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

condolences are extended to Victor Ochiobi, Job Opportunity Specialist I, at the Crotona Job Center #46, on the death of his mother, Mrs. Agnes Ochiobi, who died on June 2. Condolences can be sent to Mr. Victor Ochiobi, 927 East 220 St., Bronx, NY 10469.

condolences are extended to La Toscha Richmond, Child Protective Specialist II, at ACS 150 Williams Street, on the death of her mother, Ms. Patrice Marie Richmond, who died on May 24. Condolences can be sent to La Toscha Richmond, 1705 Purdy St,, #6A, Bronx, NY 10462.

condolences are extended to the family and friends of James “Jim” McKeon, a former Secretary Treasurer of SSEU Local 371, who died in May.

condolences are extended to Olukayode Oyeledun, Caseworker at HRA/ Emergency and Intervention Services at 180 Water Street in Manhattan, on the death of his mother, Janet Awawu Oyeldedun, who died on February 12 in Ilisan, Nigeria.

condolences are extended to Jackie Ramos, Delegate from Marcy Ave., on the death of her son-in-law.

condolences are extended to family of Dr. Annie Martin, president of the NY NAACP, who died in June.

Congratulationscongratulations to Diane Silver, retired Sup II and former Shelter Chapter person on the birth of her granddaughter Shifra Naoma Feldman, born January 19, and her great grandson Lucas Alexander Friedman, born July 4.

congratulations to Veronica Ferguson, Fraud Investigator I at BEV/IREA, who retired on June 29.

congratulations to Giovanny Lavezarri, Caseworker at Queens CASA, and Ms. Tri Linwati, on their marriage June 16.

congratulations to Lisa Turner, Fraud Investigator I, on obtaining her Master’s Degree in Labor Studies June 5 from the CUNY School of Professional Studies.

congratulations to Ms. M. Taveras, Job Opportunity Specialist at FIA Crotona Job Center #46, who retired on May 29 after 22 years of service with HRA.

congratulations to Gail Whiteman, Associate Fraud Investigator II at HRA/BEV, on obtaining her Masters of Public Administration with honors from Long Island University in May.

Get Well WishesGet Well Wishes for Latesha Slater, Fraud Investigator, BEV/IREA, who had knee surgery in July.

I want to say that as a Union Delegate, I listen to a lot of concerns and issues from workers. I also hear a lot of what

members are saying. One of the things that members frequently say is “What is the Union doing?”

I am compelled to speak to this comment, because it is clear that members believe that someone else is the Union. The Union, my brothers and sisters, is “you.” Each and every one of us is the Union. We are respon-sible for how management treats us and we are responsible for making changes occur.

It baffles me when members think that someone else is supposed to fight their battles. It is all of us who must fight these various battles, whether it is one member who is at risk of losing his or her job, or one thousand, it is our fight.

SSEU Local 371 has an awesome presi-dent, Anthony Wells, who is willing to listen and is ready for any battle that comes before

this local. However it is us—the members—who make this local strong. It is us—the members—who must make people respect us as professionals. We have one of the best presidents a local could ask for, now it is up to us to keep it that way. SSEU Local 371 is a mighty union.

This local is full of strong Delegates and Alternates, along with some tough, coura-geous and dedicated organizers. We must constantly strive to make this the best local it can be. That means that all of us as members collectively must work together. I charge every member in SSEU Local 371 to stop saying what is wrong and work to make it right.

We fight back!-Tanya Hatcher, Delegate

Do you want to write for the Unionist? Get in touch and send any essays, letters or photographs to apaul@sseu371.org.

NAACP AwardsDC 37 Local 1549 Presi-dent Eddie Rodriguez presented NAACP awards to SSEU Local 371 President Anthony Wells and Local 372 President Santos Crespo (right) for their commitment to the labor movement.

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