Local 237 NEWSLINE

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I September 2009 Vol. 43, No.7 R RESPECT – We got it! 4% + 4% Housing Contract, No Givebacks!

Long, hot, summer discussions sessions, refusing to accept any con - wage increase of 8.16 percent. Over fare funds for each active and re - came to an abrupt end last month cessions. “Our rallies, political ac - the 24-month term of the contract, tired Local 237 member; and an ad - when the Local 237 Negotiating tion and the work that members per - this will amount to about $4,821 in ditional compensation fund of 0.10 Committee was called to union head - form every day have helped to keep cash, not including premium pay. percent of payroll will serve to pur - quarters to hear the details of a con - our city’s public housing afloat in A $200 lump-sum payment will chase recurring benefits, effective tract breakthrough with the New these difficult times — and that is re - be made in the first year to the wel - January 14, 2010. York City Housing Authority. The flected in this contract offer.” offer of two 4 percent raises with The Housing Division contract retroactive pay and no givebacks was follows the lead set by Local 237’s Hearing Aimed to Help NYCHA much better than expected, based on Citywide Division for all NYCHA’s dire financial condition. City’s municipal workers. It covers President Most importantly, the deal was fair 24 months, from December 15, 2008, Gregory Floyd and contained no givebacks. through December 14, 2010, and flanked, from At a meeting held Aug. 7, Local provides two annual raises of 4 per - left, by 237’s negotiating committee unani - cent, which took effect as of January Congresswomen mously endorsed the tentative con - 11, 2009, and the second raise will Maxine Waters, tract, which at press time was expect - come on January 11, 2010. The wage Nydia Velázquez ed to be overwhelmingly ratified with increases are substantially more and Carolyn a ballot count scheduled for Aug. 25. than the expected rate of inflation. Maloney at a “Our union has fought hard for For the average Local 237 Hous - Congressional this, and not just at the bargaining ing Division member earning hearing in New table,” said President Gregory Floyd, $42,000 a year, this agreement will York City Hall. who led Local 237 negotiators to provide an additional base pay of See Story on Page 3 stand firm through tough bargaining $3,427 annually, a compounded

Local 237 Endorsements for Sept. 15 Primary Election

The primary candidates listed below were endorsed by Local 237ʼs Executive Board following a rigorous process of inter - views with many of them and a review of their responses to questionnaires designed to determine their record of support for public employees and position on issues of importance to us. Mayor: No Endosement 20 John Choe* 37 Erik Martin Dilan Comptroller: No Endorsement 21 Julissa Ferreras 38 Sara M. Gonzalez DA: Cy Vance (D) 22 Peter F. Vallone Jr. 39 Josh Skaller* 40 Mathieu Eugene Public Advocate: No Endorsement 23 Mark Weprin 24 James Gennaro 41 No Endorsement Council 9 Inez E. Dickens 25 Helen Sears 42 Charles Barron (All are Democrats unless 10 Ydanis Rodriguez 26 Deirdre Feerick* 43 Vincent J. Gentile otherwise noted.) Bronx 27 Leroy Comrie 44 Simcha Felder Manhattan 11 Oliver Koppell 28 Thomas White Jr. 45 Kendall Stewart 12 Larry B. Seabrook 29 No Endorsement 46 Lewis A. Fidler District 13 James Vacca 30 Elizabeth Crowley 47 Domenic M. Recchia Jr. 1 Alan Gerson 14 Maria Baez 31 James Sanders Jr. 48 Michael C. Nelson 2 Rosie Mendez 32 Frank Gulluscio* 15 Joel Rivera Staten Island 3 Christine Quinn 16 Helen Foster 49 Kenneth Mitchell 4 Daniel Garodnick 17 Maria del Carmen Arroyo 33 Steve Levin* 50 James S. Oddo** 5 Jessica Lappin 18 Annabel Palma 6 Gale A. Brewer 34 Diana Reyna 51 Vincent Ignizio** 35 7 Robert Jackson * New candidate 8 Melissa Mark-Viverito 19 No Endorsement 36 ** Republican 2 NEWSLINE, September 2009 Local 237 Member Services

UNION HEADQUARTERS EXECUTIVE OFFICES, 5th Fl. 216 West 14th Street Gregory Floyd, President A Message From New York, NY 10011-7296 Richard Hendershot, the President 212-924-2000 Vice President LOCAL 237 DIVISIONS Ruben Torres, Secretary-Treasurer CITYWIDE DIVISION , 2nd Fl. Donald Arnold, Director PERSONNEL , 5th Fl. Peter Gutierrez, Deputy Director Edmund Kane, Director and Al Soto, Deputy Director Chief Negotiator Gaining Victories in Solidarity Randy Klein, Assistant Director COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND HOUSING DIVISION , 2nd Fl. SPECIAL PROJECTS, 5th Fl . One Battle at a Time Felipe Luciano, Director, Remilda Ferguson, Director Assistant to the President ften I write to you about how Local and success. For every one complaint, there Brooklyn, Queens & Staten are a hundred acts of kindness or bravery that Island POLITICAL ACTION & 237 fights for every one of our mem - James Giocastro, LEGISLATION , 5th Fl. Obers. This month I can tell you that, go unsung. We should be doing more to talk Deputy Director Local 237 protects members’ thanks to your support, our union has scored about these acts, not about the complaints. rights by helping to sponsor leg - a big victory. I have no problem with parents’ meetings, LONG ISLAND DIVISION islation that is important to mem - After months of standing firm, we have but actually making it a legal requirement to 1727 Veterans Memorial bers, and by opposing initiatives discuss school safety agents at these meetings Highway reached a contract agreement with the city for that would hurt members. Suite 308 our 9,000 NYCHA employees. I’m proud that is unacceptable. We have asked both Speaker Islandia, NY 11749 Patricia Stryker, Director we held our ground and received a fair deal, Sheldon Silver and Governor David Paterson 631-851-9800 GRIEVANCES/DISCIPLINARY 8.16 percent over two years. We refused to to remove or change this amendment, and we John Burns, Director PROBLEMS , 6th Fl. take less than we deserve. We refused to settle will continue to work to protect the reputa - Benedict Carenza , For grievances and job related for less than other unions. We refused to buck - tion of our members. Deputy Director problems, first contact your shop le under to pressure to place the financial bur - John Sepulveda, steward and/or grievance repre - den of the city on the backs of our members. Power of the Vote Assistant Director sentative. If they cannot resolve Our resilience forced the city to recognize our To continue winning these battles, we Long Island Welfare Fund: the issue, they or you should hard work and honor it with good pay. must keep on being vocal. That means speak - For information on the various contact your business agent. I want to thank all our members for stand - ing our mind and making sure our members funds call 800-962-1145 Mal Patterson, Director of ing with us and continuing to do excellent go to the polls. You often hear me talk about Grievances and Hearings RETIREE DIVISION , 8th Fl. work in the face of uncertainty. It is not easy the power we have in numbers and the im - Todd Rubinstein, Esq. Provides a variety of pre- and to have your livelihood in doubt, but you portance of voting, and this year is particular - Grievance Coordinator post-retirement services, includ - stayed strong and united. This contract would ly important. With the citywide and City ing pension and health insur - Debbie Coleman, Esq. not have been possible without your support. Council races occurring this fall, we need to ance counseling to members. Grievance Coordinator I also want to thank Mayor Michael play a role in selecting the leaders that will (Pension counseling by appoint - CIVIL SERVICE BAR Bloomberg and new NYCHA Chairman John run New York over the next four years. ment, Thursdays only). General ASSOCIATION , 6th Fl. Rhea, who negotiated with us in good faith As you know, in New York the real elec - retirement counseling and 212-675-0519 and eventually offered a fair contract. Even tion is often the Democratic Primary, which retirement planning series dur - when both sides talked tough at the bargaining will occur on September 15, around the time ing spring and fall. Gloria Johnson, Esq., President you receive this message. I hope by now most 212-807-0555 Aldona Vaiciunas, table, no one ever stepped away from it for Nancy B. True, Director Office Administrator and long. I hope this is the first of many strong of you are registered to vote and ready to Grievance Coordinator contracts we will sign with Rhea in the future. stand up for Local 237 Teamsters and support LOCAL 237 DEPARTMENTS John Picucci, Esq., Considering our Housing Division con - the candidates we have endorsed on the front (Citywide and Housing) Grievance Representative tract and our Citywide Division contract last page of this edition. Participating in our CSBA Welfare Fund October, we have had a very good year. For democracy is not only your right, it should be SKILLED TRADES , 2nd Fl. Alicare 212-539-5117 a responsibility we all take seriously. For Donald Arnold, Director two years, our members will receive raises COMMUNICATIONS, 8th Fl. well above the rate of inflation, meaning they when we stand up together, there will be HEALTH AND SAFETY , 2nd Fl. will have more money than in the past. That many more victories in our future. Donald Arnold, Director Tania M. Lambert, Editor Diane Stein, Coordinator Local 237 Newsline is why we fight so hard, to make life bet - Website: www.local237.org ter for our members. At the end of the MEMBERSHIP, 2nd Fl. day, that is the goal, and I am excited to Provides membership services EDUCATION, 8th Fl. and records, including address Provides a variety of training say that we have succeeded. changes. and educational advancement Laverne White, opportunities for members. Continuing the Fight Administrative Manager 212-807-0550 Even as we have won one fight, we WELFARE FUND, 3rd Fl. Frederick Dunn, Director are still battling on other fronts. In Al - The Fund administers the eligi - USEFUL NUMBERS bany, they have passed a bill to return bility, enrollment, disability, FOR PRE-RETIREES control of New York City’s schools to the optical and death benefits mayor. In the process, however, they HER NYCERS (New York City OT HO directly by the Fund’s in-house have included an amendment that R O staff, as well as prescription Employees Retirement System) B D and dental programs indirectly. specifically singles out our school safety L O By Mail: 335 Adams St., Suite A F 212-924-7220 agents for unnecessary public criticism 2300, Brooklyn, NY 11201-3751 N Paul E. Juergensen, Director at parent meetings. we will not stand by T In Person: 340 Jay Street, O E as the state government creates a forum I LEGAL SERVICES, 4th Fl. VOTE A Mezzanine, Brooklyn, NY 11201 for our SSAs to receive more undeserved T Lawyers advise and represent M Gen’l Information: 347-643-3000 A

members on covered personal complaints about their performance, Primary Election, Sept. 15 Outside NYC toll-free: S

legal problems, including domes - which has been more than admirable. N

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877-6NYCERS R General Election, Nov. 3 tic relations (family court pro - The fact is that our SSAs do an excel - E

NYCERS Internet E R

ceedings, divorce and separa - lent job protecting our students, and pub - T

www.nyclink.org/html/nycers Oct. 9 is the last day to register S tion), purchase and sale of a pri - N lic officials need to stop using them as a I for the general election mary residence, wills, adoptions, NYC Department of Education public punching bag. Crime has dropped credit and consumer problems, Retirement System in our schools for the last several years. tenant rights and bankruptcies. 65 Court St., Brooklyn, NY 11201 At the same time, more of our SSAs are 212-924-1220 718-935-5400 Office Hours: being assaulted, and we are seeking to R Social Security Administration Mon.- Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. curb such attacks with legislation that 800-772-1213 would make them a felony. Mary Sheridan Esq., Director Voter registration forms are posted online at NY State and Local Retirement Our SSAs are putting themselves in Kenneth Perry Esq., www.local237.org under the “Politics & Deputy Director Systems harm’s way to help keep our youth on the 518-474-7736 straight and narrow path toward safety Legislation” tab on the home page. NEWSLINE, September 2009 3 237 Website & Video Win U.S. House Studies Ways Top ILCA Awards To Help NYCHA Tenants Local 237’s website at www.local237.org, and a 2009 video entitled “Teamsters Local 237 Elevator Mechanics,” won the top awards in the A meeting at New York’s City to lower the unemployment rate 2009 ILCA, International Labor Communications Association Labor Hall last month focused on two pro - among residents of public housing. Media, contest. posals initiated by Congresswoman “Our union is committed to the The website won the General Excellence award in competition with Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) that ad - continued existence and improve - local unions nationwide. dress key challenges facing public ment of NYCHA,” said Floyd, who The video, which won the First Award in the “short videos” cate - housing residents: employment op - has led rallies, and advocacy efforts gory, was produced by Steven C.F. Anderson, president and executive portunities and health-care access by Local 237 to save public housing producer of Anderson Productions Ltd., with a production team that in - for senior citizens. jobs and services to residents. “Pub - cluded Cinematographer Sam Shinn, Sound Engineer Shane Stanfield, President Gregory Floyd and lic housing isn’t just bricks and mor - Editor Ilan Benator and Associate Producer Agatha Malacos. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney tar, it’s the people who keep things See the video, and several others, online at www.local237.org . (D-NY), attended the hearing on July running smoothly, make the 20 to review the proposals that grounds attractive, and the residents would provide training for public that form a real community.” housing residents as health-care At the Congressional field hear - These are aides for elderly people living in photos from public housing, and also create jobs Continued on page 14 the award winning video, “Teamsters NYCHA Tenants Honor 237 Members Local 237 Elevator Mechanics.”

At the Family Day event, President Gregory Floyd, center, is joined by NYCHA staffers. From left, Marguerite Mann, director, Brooklyn Bureau; Marcelin Claude, manager, Williams Plaza; Carl Licht, elevator mechanic, Independence; Kevin Darby, assistant superintendent, Independence; and Jimmy DʼAcunti, elevator mechanic, Taylor-Wythe. The annual Family Day event Wythe, as well as caretakers April hosted on Aug. 17 by the New York Simmons and Edna Negron of In - City Housing Authority in conjunc - dependence (who was unable to at - Local 237 tion with residents of three Brook - tend). NEWSLINE lyn housing facilities included an President Gregory Floyd and unprecedented presentation of Business Agent Norberto Luna were 216 West 14 St., New York, NY 10011 plaques to four Local 237 members on hand for the event, along with 212-924-2000 for their contributions to the com - NYCHA Chairman John Rhea and Website: www.local237.org munity. City Councilman (D- e-mail Newsline: [email protected] Residents of Williams Plaza Brooklyn), who represents the Local 237 Newsline (USPS 700-000 ISSN 1083-3536) is published 10 times a year in the and Taylor-Wythe/Independence following months: January, February, March, April, May, (June, July and August will be Williamsburg district. combined into one issue), September, October, November and December by Local 237, Consolidation gathered with hard Participants at Family Day International Brotherhood of Teamsters, 216 West 14 Street, New York, NY 10011. working NYCHA staffers on the paused to observe a moment of si - Periodical postage paid at New York, NY. Postmaster: Send address changes to grounds of Independence, where lence in memory of Jacob Neumann, Local 237 Newsline, 216 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011. they recognized elevator mechan - the 5-year-old boy who perished in Executive Board ics Carl Licht, of Independence, an elevator accident at Taylor- and Jimmy D’Acunti, of Taylor- Wythe Houses a year ago. Gregory Floyd Richard Hendershot Ruben Torres Patricia Stryker President Vice President Secretary-Treasurer Recording Secretary Noreen Hollingsworth Edmund Kane Steven Gordon Trustee Trustee Trustee

Newsline and www.local237.org Tania M. Lambert Editor

Local 237 Telephone Numbers

Citywide Division ...... 212-924-2000 Health & Safety ...... 212-924-2000 Housing Division ...... 212-924-2000 Retiree Division/ Long Island Division ...... 631-851-9800 Pension Counseling ...... 212-807-0555 Welfare Funds ...... 212-924-7220 Membership ...... 212-924-2000 Education Department ...... 212-807-0550 CSBA ...... 212-675-0519 Legal Department ...... 212-924-1220

If you move... Please send your change of address in writing to Membership to insure that you continue receiving your newspaper. Metro NY Labor Communications Council Joining Floyd on Family Day were, from left, City Councilman David Yassky, April Simmons, caretaker, and NYCHA Chairman John Rhea. 4 NEWSLINE, September 2009 The Political Scene ¡La Primera! Congratulations, Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor!

Hispanic Heritage Month

This Hispanic Heritage Month, ing to that guiding principle, she left (Sept. 15-Oct 15) Latinos celebrate private practice for public service as with unprecedented pride a major a U.S. District Judge for the South - milestone in U.S. and New York ern District of New York in 1992, City history: the confirmation of and was appointed a U.S. Circuit Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispan - Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals ic Supreme Court Justice. for the Second Circuit from 1998 to A Bronx native of Puerto Rican the present. descent, Sotomayor is a former resi - Her nomination to the Supreme dent of the Bronxdale projects who Court by President Barack Obama is rose through the ranks on the merits “the most important appointment of her stellar qualities. ever made in this country of a Lati - Her resume grew from humble no,” said César Perales, executive beginnings at Cardinal Spellman director of the Puerto Rican Legal H.S. to graduating summa cum Defense Fund (PRLDEF), where So - laude from Princeton University tomayor served as a board member. and serving as editor of the distin - Comparing the High Court to an guished Yale Law Journal at Yale elite club, Perales noted that it in - Law School. The pattern of achieve - cludes only nine members who Photo Courtesy of the White House ment continued as she rose from as - serve the nation for a lifetime. sistant district attorney in New York fore the Senate Judiciary Commit - penalty, abortion and gun rights, af - City to partner in a private law firm. A Challenging Time tee, where she faced friendly and firmative action and gay marriage. During confirmation hearings, The confirmation process for critical senators, answering seem - Through the long process, Sotomay - Sotomayor noted the “critical im - Sotomayor was challenging, as it is ingly endless questions aimed at re - or delivered poised, intelligent an - portance of public service as a for all Supreme Court nominees. It vealing her temperament and views swers, based on her knowledge of lawyer’s responsibility.” Respond - included the televised hearings be - on tough issues such as the death the law and her extensive experi - ence applying it in public and pri - vate cases. Pioneer Politician Olga Méndez Dies at 84 The 55-year-old Latina credits In 1978, when Sonia Sotomayor was a child in the workers when she discovered that some of her con - her mother for being a power of ex - South Bronx, Olga A. Méndez was elected New York stituents traveled outside the city to work in the fields. ample and teaching her the value of State senator, becoming the first Puerto Rican woman The Times also noted that Méndez was known for hard work and a good education. elected to a state legislature in the continental United “bucking the Democratic establishment. In 2002 she Sotomayor’s widowed mother, Celi - States. Méndez, who represented East Harlem and switched her party affiliation and joined the Republicans.” na, worked while earning her nurs - parts of the Bronx for 26 years, died July 29 at her East Méndez, who took pride in being referred to as ing degree and raising two high- Harlem home. She was 84. Puerto Rican rather than Hispanic or Latina, moved to achieving children. At the hearings, Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Sen. Méndez New York City in the 1950s and became a doctoral Sotomayor stressed education, say - “championed the issues important to her constituents,” candidate in educational psychology at Yeshiva Uni - ing, “The success of our children Gov. David A. Paterson, was quoted as saying in the New versity. She married Anthony Mendez, a politically ac - depends on it.” She also advocated York Times obituary. She fought “for affordable housing, tive lawyer and son of Antonio Mendez, who in 1954 public service. “I can’t think of any education and Rockefeller drug law reform.” She also became the first native-born Puerto Rican district greater service than being given the championed equal labor rights for New York’s farm leader of a major political party in New York City. privilege to become a Supreme Court judge,” she said.

Participating in the 2010 Census is Easy, Safe and Important Every 10 years, as mandated by the U.S. Con - 2010. Participation is critical, as the results de - with census takers. stitution, our nation conducts a census — an ef - termine how representation in Congress is ap - One of the key PDS strategies is to partner fort to count every person living in the United portioned and how more than $435 billion in with community-based organizations of all States. The 2010 Census aims to accurately federal funds will be distributed annually to types, ranging from social service organizations count everyone residing in the U.S., regardless of states and communities during the next decade. to cultural and religious groups, businesses to their age, gender, race, faith, ethnicity, income The results will impact local families’ quality of educational institutions, and media to elected of - level, orientation, or immigration status. life in numerous ways, ranging from economic ficials. Together, PDS staff and census partners The 2010 Census will have one of the short - and educational investment decisions to social are raising awareness and promoting participa - est census questionnaires in the history of the and health services, and from job training to lan - tion in the upcoming census. Census partners , dating back to the nation’s first guage assistance programs. and local residents are also invited to participate census in 1790, and should take only a few min - The New York Regional Census Center in local Complete Count Committees (CCCs). utes on average to complete. (NYRCC), which includes the ten northern CCCs are volunteer teams consisting of com - All answers are protected by Title 13 of the counties of New Jersey and the nine southern munity leaders, elected officials, faith-based U.S. Code, which strictly forbids Census Bureau counties of New York, has expanded its Part - groups, schools, businesses, media outlets and from sharing of any personally identifiable infor - nership and Data Services (PDS) program by others who work together to make sure entire mation with any other government or private hiring and training close to 200 specialized staff communities are counted. PDS staff will pro - agency. The law also stipulates that any violation members. The staff aims to be as diverse as the vide materials and support all CCC efforts. will be subject to a $250,000 fine and/or a 5 year communities they serve, and the PDS staff is For more information about partnering with prison sentence. currently fluent in close to 40 languages. The the 2010 Census, contact the NY Regional Cen - The aim of this historic endeavor is to ensure PDS program goal is to increase the region’s sus Office at (212) 356-3100, and ask to speak that every household fills out and mails back a mail response rate, maximize the accuracy of with a Partnership staff member. More informa - completed census form on or around April 1, the count, and improve overall collaboration tion can be found at www.2010census.gov . NEWSLINE, September 2009 5 The Political Scene Debate Heats Up Over Health Insurance Reform

Health insurance reforms proposed by the surance or pay a penalty. Obama administration are under fire by oppo - • Most businesses will have to provide insur - nents who fear they have something to lose if so - ance or pay a fee. lutions are enacted to curb spiraling health care • Medicaid will be expanded to cover a costs and the growing ranks of the uninsured. broader population. While more than 47 million Americans, in - • Government subsidies will help middle- cluding 8.7 million children, have no health cov - class workers purchase insurance. erage at all, and about 60 percent of U.S. bank - • Medicare reforms will cut waste, fraud and ruptcies involve medical bills, the insurance and overpayments to insurance companies. drug companies are making stunning profits. workers should pay for reforms by taxing em - • Taxes will be raised on the wealthiest Health insurance CEOs averaged $8.7 million in ployer health benefits. Obama has vowed, “If I Americans, whose incomes rose disproportion - 2006 compensation and pharmaceutical compa - see a proposal that is primarily funded through ately from Bush-era tax cuts. Workers health ben - ny CEOs raked in an average of $4.4 million. taxing middle class families, I’m going to be op - efits will not be taxed. Congress has been working hard to fix the un - posed to it.” • All Americans will have health insurance fair system by proposing to extend health care The following strategic points, advanced by without driving up the deficit. coverage to the uninsured, end unpopular insur - the Obama administration, add up to a nearly • The plan would be fully paid for in 10 years ance practices, and curb health care premiums, “universal,” cost-efficient, and even-handed plan without adding to the deficit. which are rising faster than wages. to reform current health insurance deficiencies: • Meanwhile, opponents are working hard to • A public health insurance option or non- Take action today and urge your senators to preserve the status quo, spreading lies and fears profit health cooperative will expand choices. support these important health insurance reforms. that Obama’s plan will reduce the quality of • Discrimination for pre-existing conditions Sign on to our website at www.local 237.org and health care and choice of doctors, while increas - will cease. click on “Don’t Tax Health Benefits” under “Take ing taxes and expenses. Some U.S. senators think • All Americans will be required to have in - Action” on the home page. 237 Opposes Revision to Mayoral Control Bill

President Gregory Floyd vigor - ject of scrutiny is demoralizing to interacting with school safety offi - noted with pride that more than ously opposed an amendment in the the dedicated people who safeguard cers and NYPD personnel and voic - 5,000 SSA’s employed by the NYPD bill extending mayoral control of our schools,” said Floyd, noting that ing their concerns over both under - “risk life and limb daily to help New York City’s schools, which was “school safety agents are part of the reported activities and possible maintain an orderly environment signed into law by Gov. David Pater - solution, not the problem.” over-policing tendencies.” that facilitates learning and achieve - son on Aug. 12. The insulting amendment was ment.” He also emphasized that In a letter to State Assembly introduced by Brooklyn Sen. Eric No Objection to Primary Bill nearly all the agents are residents of Speaker Sheldon Silver, Floyd urged Adams, a former New York Police Floyd did not object to increas - the communities they protect. him to reject amendment S6106, Department captain. Adams was ing parental involvement in the Three other amendments were which would require each school to quoted in the Chief Leader as saying schools, or to the primary bill passed, including one to provide hold hearings on safety issues at that the bill “provides an environ - passed by the Assembly in June to money for a parent-training center least once a year. “To single out ment” to voice the concerns of par - extend the 2002 mayoral control at the City University of New York; school safety agents as a special sub - ents who “often felt uncomfortable law. In the letter to Silver, Floyd another to create a committee to re - port on arts-education policy, and a third to clarify the role of superin - tendents monitoring principals. NYC Jobless Rate Rose to 9% in May Although the assembly needs to vote on the amendments this month New York City’s unemployment largest number of city residents out ly, reported Metro, a daily tabloid. and Speaker Silver has not commit - rate jumped to 9 percent in May of work since 1993, The New York New York City lost 8,500 jobs in ted to passing them, it may not have from 5 percent a year ago. In April, Times reported. May, and nearly two-thirds of them an impact. Mayor Bloomberg has al - it was 8 percent and it’s expected to “Although the unemployment were public jobs, the Times report - ready promised to implement them. get worse, according to a report re - rate actually dipped slightly in three ed. Much of that decline may be the The 2002 mayoral control law leased in July by City Comptroller of the last five months, the trend is result of attrition and cutbacks in expired on June 30, while the Senate Bill Thompson. Although the econ - still strongly upward,” James normal springtime hiring by govern - was paralyzed by a month-long lead - omy appears to be stabilizing, Brown, an analyst with the Labor ment agencies, Barbara Byrne Den - ership battle. The new law extends Thompson said, unemployment Department, was quoted in the ham was quoted as saying in the key parts of the 2002 mayoral con - typically continues to rise in the Times as saying. Times. Denham is a private econo - trol for six years and adds provi - early part of a recovery. Thompson’s report states that sions. The New York State Labor De - unemployment among African mist who tracks the city’s job market. partment said in May that there American New Yorkers rose four were about 361,000 unemployed times faster than among other ethnic people in the city, more than at any - groups. Their unemployment rate Council Enacts Eased Residency Rule time since the World Trade Center was 14.7 percent in the first quarter The City Council overrode Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s veto to attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and the of 2009, compared to 13.7 national - enact a bill to ease residency requirements for most civilian city em - ployees. The law, consisting of the same provisions as the DC 37 resi - CORRECTIONS dency law, allows covered city workers to relocate to six counties out - side the city, including Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk and In the June/July/August issue of Newsline, on page 10, in the article Westchester, after spending two years residing within the five boroughs. “Founders Day,” the amount of the check donated by the Retirees Division’s The two-year restriction was designed to protect job openings for Sunshine Club to City Harvest was misstated. The donation was $2,500. city residents from being filled by people outside the city. The mayor • rejected both the DC 37 law and the recent bill, 992A, introduced by Also in the last issue, on page 7, in the article “Founders Day: ‘Our Councilman Bill de Blasio of Brooklyn, because it did not conform to City, Our Voice,’” the name of the woman pictured at the bottom of the collective bargaining agreements on residency that the city made with page on the right-hand side is Dorothy Moss. • several unions since 2006. On page 13, in the article “Added to the Roster of Retirees,” John Easing the residency requirements provides some relief for city em - Sanderson was mistakenly described as a classical pianist, which is his ployees who are faced with the challenge of holding jobs in a city where daughter’s training. they can’t afford to live. 6 NEWSLINE, September 2009 HOUSING MATTERS Local 237 Joins Alliance to Lobby State For NYCHA Funding NYCHA’s Chairman John Rhea Visits Local 237

A special meeting was held in SOUND. The group’s mission is to July at Local 237 for Housing Divi - direct about $284 million annually sion shop stewards to meet John B. to the agency starting next year, in Rhea, the new chairman of New an effort to close NYCHA’s continu - York City Housing Authority. ous budget gap and help pay for President Gregory Floyd and maintenance and repairs. Housing Division Director Remilda SOUND “pledges to make sure Ferguson were on hand, along with the next state budget includes $64 several officials from NYCHA and million for state-built Housing Au - the union. Addressing the gather - thority developments, and will fight ing, Rhea, an expert in high finance, for a city commitment of $30 mil - outlined his mission to secure con - lion to cover 6,000 city-built units,” sistent long-term funding for noted Errol Lewis in his Daily News NYCHA’s 344 developments in fed - column. eral, state and city budgets. Of the total NYCHA develop - Assisting Rhea in that goal, ments, which house more than Floyd announced that Local 237 is 400,000 residents, 21 developments participating in a broad alliance were built by the city and the state, Above, NYCHA Chairman John Rhea listens to Housing Division members as with elected officials and communi - and are ineligible for full federal President Gregory Floyd looks on. Below left, Chairman Rhea enjoys meeting ty activists named Save Our Under - funding from the Housing and the Bachelder family, including, from left, sisters Shannon Bachelder, Allison funded NYCHA Developments, or Urban Development Department. Cato, and brother, Ronald Bachelder. Below, Housing Division Business Agent David Gonzales welcomes a group of members.

William Reid Houses Staff Says ‘Hi’

Above, President Greg Floyd joins a group of workers on the grounds of William Reid Houses in Brooklyn. Above right, a housing member makes a point during discussion. Right, a group of work - ers listen attentively. NEWSLINE, September 2009 7 Bikers Rev Up for Babies

Norberto Luna, business agent for Local 237ʼs Housing Division, unloads diapers. The Bikers for Babies line up their wheels near the Hale House in Harlem. Hundreds of motorcycles arrived at Harlem’s A contingent of Local 237 Teamsters from the New York City’s largest biker run, with about Hale House for the 14th Annual Bikers for Babies Housing Division, including caretakers, elevator 300 participants, begins in Brooklyn and ends at event on June 27. Bikers of all backgrounds gath - mechanics and heating plant technicians, as well as 122 Street between Lenox Avenue and Adam er annually at the event to bring loads of dispos - members from other Teamster locals participated. Clayton Powell Boulevard in Harlem. able diapers for the children at Hale House Cen - Housing Division Business Agent Norberto Luna The Crazy Pistons Motorcycle Club, founders of ter Inc., a nonprofit organization founded in 1969 and Edward Santiago, supervisor of grounds at Red the event, and other motorcycle clubs, including the dedicated to building better futures for children Hook West, rode their bikes in the convoy and Ghetto Coalition, greeted the children, staff, and and families in need. helped deliver the goods for the third year in a row. neighbors while delivering thousands of diapers.

Tour of Duty

Right: Workers at Stuyvesant Gardens Houses in Brooklyn greet President Gregory Floyd, at right.

Below: Floyd speaks with workers at Wyckoff Gardens in Brooklyn.

Below right: Floyd joins workers outside of Marcus Garvey Houses in Brooklyn. 8 NEWSLINE, September 2009 SNAPSHOTS SSA Task Force Recognized School safety agents from the Manhattan South Task Force gathered at Stuyvesant H.S. for the annual Recogni - tion Day event on June 29, where several officers were awarded for outstanding performance on the job. All the of - ficers were thanked by their supervisors for their teamwork and tireless efforts to protect schools and the community at large. President Gregory Floyd and Citywide Division Deputy Director Al Soto were on hand to greet the members and congratulate the honorees. Floyd took the opportunity to announce proposed legislation that would make assaults Manhattan South Task Force members gather around President Gregory with a deadly weapon on school grounds a felony. Floyd, third row, left of center, and Citywide Deputy Director Al Soto, second row, second from left.

BMCC Holds Promotions Ceremony

The Borough of Manhattan Community Col - lege held its annual Promotions Ceremony for campus peace officers on July 16. Shields were presented to the promoted CPOs, including Tan - isha McCoy, promoted to sergeant, and Dorothy Meade, promoted to corporal. Al Soto, Citywide Division deputy director, was on hand to congratulate the officers, who enjoyed light refreshments with friends and Campus peace officers at Borough of Manhattan Community College gather after the Promotions Ceremony with Al Soto, Citywide Division deputy director, far left, and Ed family after the ceremony. Moss, director of Public Safety at the college, center.

Bellevue HPOs Get New Wheels Neatness Counts The Hospital Police Second Division at Bellevue Hospital Cen - ter in Manhattan received two new vehicles to help patrol the huge facility more efficiently. The squad car is also used to transport pris - oners to central booking. The squad car is a fuel efficient hybrid 2009 Toyota Highlander. It features an onboard camera providing a rear view when the car is in re - verse and it also has onboard sensors that monitor everything in the car. The scooter is a 2009 Hyundai Interceptor III.

Citywide Division Business Agent George Wade gathers with housekeeping supervisors during a recent visit to Bellevue Hospital Center. The supervisors establish methods, stan - dards and schedules to keep the institution clean and order - ly and oversee housekeepers, whose tasks include cleaning corridors and stairs, operating polishing machines, rubbish removal, dusting, and collecting linen. NEWSLINE, September 2009 9

City College CPOs Come to the Rescue A fire raged in a residential building at 260 Convent Avenue on July 3 around 10 p.m. The building is directly opposite the City College cam - pus where Loris Richards, an Allied Barton Secu - rity guard, was stationed in a booth at the corner of West 140 Street. When Richards saw smoke and flames shooting from a fifth-floor apartment win - dow, he immediately radioed campus peace offi -

cers for help. A team of CPOs responded swiftly, including Sgt. Celisha Copeland, Desiree Joyner, Orlando Quiñones and Jacqueline Delarosa. Without regard for their own safety, the officers ran into the build - ing and evacuated tenants from the fifth and sixth floors, including several senior citizens. They also cordoned off the street around the building. When firefighters and police arrived, the officers provided them with details, including which resi - dents were affected by smoke inhalation and burns. Thanks to quick and intelligent teamwork, the cam - pus peace officers saved lives and extended the City College campus peace officers, who helped rescue fire victims, pose for a por - trait. They are, from left, Jacqueline Delarosa, Desiree Joyner, Sgt. Celisha Copeland services of City College’s Public Safety Department and Orlando Quiñones. Top, the fire damaged several apartments on the fifth and to the broader community. sixth floors of the building on Convent Avenue.

DHS Police Bust Drug Dealer

On a Sunday evening at about 6:15, a man entered the Department of Homeless Services’ PTH facility in the Bronx and placed his belongings in a plastic basket for the mandatory security screening. Special Officer Sonya Taveras spotted a Newport cigarette box and, as she investigated its contents, the client tried to snatch it from her hand. He grabbed her left index finger, pulling and twisting it until she called for help. On further investigation, a police lab confirmed that the pack of ciga - rettes contained 28 glassine packs of heroin. Taylor proceeded to arrest the DHS Police Officers Gilbert Romero and Sonya Taveras. man, but she required medical atten - arrest. Sgt. Jason Wilson was super - assault and criminal possession of a tion for a sprained finger. Special Of - vising at the time. controlled substance on July 26 and ficer Gilbert Romero completed the The defendant was charged with went before a grand jury on July 30. 10 NEWSLINE, September 2009 LONG ISLAND REPORT

Brentwood Workers Celebrate Milestones

Stepping Out... 20 years of service. past school year include: Luis Stepping Up... GUSTAVO D EPENA , a former Matos, driver messenger with 41.5 DOMENICK PALERMO , a for - Some members were promoted, maintenance mechanic II, holds his years; John Ashdown, driver mes - mer head custodian, holds his re - including: John Rueb III to head tirement plaque, above, as he is retirement plaque, above right, and senger with 38 years; José Ve - custodian; Robert D’Agostino to joined from left by Artie Wright, is flanked from left by Gary Over - lasquez, custodial worker I with 32 maintenance mechanic II; Jason chapter chair for all Brentwood holser, vice chapter chair for all years; Juan Rivera, custodial worker School District titles; Rich Salva - Brentwood titles; and Rich Salva - with 24 years; Ramon Gonzalez, Brown to maintenance mechanic II; tore, business agent, Frank Scimeca, tore, business agent. DePena had maintenance mechanic II with 22 Brian Lucas to driver messenger; plant facilities administrator; and 24.5 years of service. years; Phillip Hogan, driver messen - Thomas Horrmann to driver mes - Pete Wagenhauser, assistant plant • ger with 14 years; Carmen Marquez, senger; and Robert Campbell to facility administrator. Palermo had Others who retired during the food service worker with 12 years. driver messenger.

Video Spotlights Babylon’s Workers Local 237’s video crew captured footage of members at work in the Town of Babylon in a video entitled “It’s Work - ing in Babylon.” You can see the video on Local 237’s web - site at www.local237.org , under the You Tube tab on the home page. Several members are featured at work describing their responsibilities, including Ken Logallo, maintenance me - chanic, as he makes the rounds changing street lights. Kate Shreve, a plans examiner, discusses her work with archi - tects and builders to verify that plans meet codes. Carol Foisset, a sign shop supervisor, talks about her work as she does it and Tasso Kanganis, a welding shop foreman, dis - plays his skills. Officials from the union are also featured in the video. President Gregory Floyd praises the workers for providing valuable services to the town’s taxpayers “with a spirit un - matched.” Long Island Division Director John Burns dis - cusses the diversity of titles, nearly 75, represented by the union in Babylon. Ben Carenza notes the “pride” members take in their work, and Local 237 Vice President Richard Hendershot emphasizes that “the Long Island Division is a major part of this local.” Steven Bellone, supervisor, Town of Babylon, high - lights “the strong partnership with Teamsters” that keeps In this video still, Danny Raccomandato, a grounds maintenance supervisor, speaks as John the town running smoothly. Hoose, a payloader operator, sits in the driverʼs seat. NEWSLINE, September 2009 11 It’s Picnic Time on Long Island!

The 39th Annual Brentwood picnic was held July 2 on the grounds of the town’s Buildings and Grounds office. The event, hosted by Brentwood with Local 237, brought together more than 100 members, staffers and officials for a day of fun, sun, fellowship and, oh yes, food!

Above, Brentwood workers relax as President Gregory Floyd, above right, manages the barbecue. Right, a group gathers to recognize a colleague. Below, Floyd and Vice President Richard Hendershot are flanked by Brentwood employees and Assistant Director John Sepulveda, far right. 12 NEWSLINE, September 2009 Last Call for Submissions mailbox To the Essay Contest

Thanks for Winning My Case The deadline for submissions is The essay topic this year is: I want to express my gratitude to the union for guiding me suc - Sept. 30 for the 2009 Essay Contest “What was the worst job you or a fam - cessfully through a four-year grievance and arbitration case against sponsored by the James R. Hoffa Me - ily member ever held, and how would the New York Police Department for wrongful termination from my morial Scholarship Fund. Applica - a labor union, such as the Teamsters, position as a School Safety Agent Level 3 in 2004 and character as - tions are available at Local 237. have made the situation better?” sassination. To be eligible, applicants must The Essay Contest awards The case was settled in May 2008, when I was offered my posi - be students attending a community $1,000 scholarships annually to 50 tion back and received pay differential. Members need to know they college, four-year institution or tech - students. To request an application, can file grievances and have the union behind them one hundred nical vocational program; be age 23 call Local 237’s Education Depart - percent. or younger; and are children or ment at 212-807-0550, or visit I am now a sergeant at the Human Resources Administration grandchildren of Teamster members. www.teamster.org. with 23 years of service, and I am thankful to President Gregory Floyd, Grievance Director Mal Patterson, and Citywide Deputy Di - rector Al Soto for the great job they did in representing me. Alert for 9/11 Responders Sgt. Kevin Milner In advance of the blood cancer, multiple Human Resources Administration Police eighth anniversary of the myeloma, that attacks attacks on New York the immune system City’s Twin Towers on among responders ex - ‘Latin Music USA’ Premieres Sept. 11, 2001, doctors posed to clouds of toxic with the World Trade dust at the Ground Zero A four-part documentary series, gram traces the rise of Latin jazz and Center Medical Monitor - site. “Latin Music USA,” premieres on the explosion of the mambo and the ing and Treatment Pro - The incurable, but PBS stations nationwide over two cha cha chá as they sweep the U.S. gram at Mount Sinai are treatable, cancer affects evenings, Oct. 12 and 19, during His - from east to west. Latin Music infil - urging workers and plasma cells and their panic Heritage month. The documen - trates R&B and rock and roll through emergency responders ability to fight infections. tary covers the musical history of the 1960s. who helped in the rescue Researchers have diag - Latin sounds in the USA and its fu - • Program Two: Puerto Ricans and cleanup efforts to nosed multiple myeloma sions with jazz, rock, country, rhythm and other Latinos in New York rein - continue monitoring their health. in several patients under the median and blues. These fusions have deeply vent the Cuban “son” and the Puer - A report released in August in age of 71, including eight definite enriched our nation’s popular music to Rican “plena,” adding elements the Journal of Occupational and En - cases and 16 possible cases among for more than 50 years. from soul and jazz to create Salsa, vironmental Medicine found higher 30,000 responders. The national aver - The series of four 60-minute fea - which becomes a defining rhythm than normal rates of a rare form of age is five to seven cases per 100,000. tures, narrated by actor Jimmy for Latinos the world over. Smits, includes memorable stories • Program Three: Mexican- of artists, including Salsa greats Americans in California, Texas and Back to School H1N1 Flu Prevention Tips Willie Colón and Marc Anthony; the across the Southwest create their own latin sounds of ’60s rock and roll distinct musical voices during the The Centers for Disease Control with a tissue when you cough or from the Drifters to Motown; the ge - second half of the 20th century. Their and Prevention (CDC) website has in - sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash. nius of Carlos Santana; megastars music would play an important role formation on preventing the spread of • Wash your hands often with Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Ricky in the struggle for Chicano civil rights the dangerous Novel H1N1 virus, for - soap and water, especially after you Martin and Colombian Grammy and ultimately propel them from the merly called “swine flu.” cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based winner Juanes. Also see the leg - barrio to the national stage. Local 237 has been actively in - hand cleaners are also effective. endary Chicano rock band Los • Program Four: The last pro - volved in discussions with local, state • Avoid touching your eyes, nose Lobos, Miami rapper Pitbull, Reg - gram in the series looks at the Latin and federal officials to make sure that and mouth. Germs spread this way. our members are protected from this gaeton performers Daddy Yankee pop explosion of the turn of the cen - • Try to avoid close contact with virus. The New York State Public Em - and Tego Calderón; and Lin-Manuel tury, focusing on the success of sick people. ployees Safety and Health division Miranda from the Tony Award win - artists like Ricky Martin, Gloria Es - Treatment: (PESH) is due to issue recommenda - ning musical “In the Heights.” tefan and Shakira in the English- Antiviral drugs can be given to tions to employees in a few weeks. The life experiences of these language market — in the context of treat those who become severely ill and many other unforgettable artists Symptoms: an increasingly Latinized U.S. As with influenza. These are prescrip - will reveal how Latinos have rein - • Difficulty breathing studios focus on star-driven pop, tion medicines (pills, liquid or an vented their music in the U.S. and Latino youth gravitate toward urban • Pain or pressure in the chest inhaler) with activity against in - forged new identities in this country fusions — Spanish rap and reggae - or abdomen fluenza viruses, including H1N1. while never losing sight of their ton. Rising numbers of Latinos en - • Sudden dizziness • Get plenty of rest. own rich traditions. tering the U.S. create new markets • Confusion • Program One: The first pro - for genres like Rock en Español. • Severe or persistent vomiting • Drink clear fluids (water, • Flu-like symptoms improve broth, sports drinks, electrolyte bev - but then return with fever and erages for infants) to keep from worse cough. being dehydrated. H1N1 symptoms are similar to the • Cover coughs and sneezes. symptoms of seasonal flu and include Clean hands with soap and water or fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy an alcohol-based hand rub often and nose, body aches, headache, chills and especially after using tissues and fatigue. Many people who have been after coughing or sneezing into infected with novel H1N1 flu virus also hands. have reported diarrhea and vomiting. • Wear a facemask, if available, People at higher risk of complications when sharing common spaces with from seasonal or H1NI flu include peo - other household members. ple age 65 years and older, children younger than 5 years old, pregnant You may be ill for a week or women, people with chronic medical longer. Stay home and keep away conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or from others for at least 24 hours after heart disease), and people who are tak - your fever is gone (without the use of ing immunosuppressive medications fever-reducing medicine). People may and infected with HIV. be contagious from one day before Prevention: they develop symptoms to seven days • Cover your nose and mouth after they get sick. Postcard publicizing “Latin Music USA” series on PBS. NEWSLINE, September 2009 13

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Starting October 1, the Retiree Division will host free Retirement Plan - I ning Seminars for Housing Division and Citywide Division members over R Congratulations to… the age of 50. Four seminars, held on Thursdays, will cover topics ranging from pen - ... RICARDO UIRELLA , a caretaker J at Bay View sion eligibility to health insurance coverage and relocation. Speakers in - Houses in Brooklyn, and his wife on the birth of clude representatives from health insurance plans, money management and their baby boy, Ricardo Christopher, on July 24. Social Security experts, an attorney, and medical professionals. • • • For more information, or to request a registration form, call Winston A. …MAURICE “M OE ” G OODWIN , who was promoted George, deputy director, at 212-807-0555 . in August to supervisor of grounds at Pomonok Houses in Queens. Goodwin, with more than Ricardo Christopher The Seminar Schedule 15 years of service, was formerly a caretaker J at Red Hook West Hous - Thursday, Oct. 1, 5:30 p.m. es in Brooklyn. Introduction to Retirement Procedures & Benefits • • • …OFFICER BRIAN TORO , of the Administration for Children’s Services, Thursday, Oct. 8, 5:30 p.m. and his wife, Janet, on the birth of their daughter, Kaitlyn, June 22. Health Insurance & Retiree Benefit Fund Coverage Kaitlyn weighed 6 pounds 8 ounces. Thursday, Oct. 22, 5:30 p.m. • • • Financial Planning, Social Security & Legal Services …SSA L2 Y VONIA PETIGNY and husband, Jean Petigny, who celebrated Thursday, Oct. 29, 5:30 p.m. their 8th wedding anniversary on August 12. And many happy returns How to Stay Healthy in Mind and Body to Yvonia, who celebrated her birthday on Aug. 13.

…J OHNNY M. C HEEKS , a maintenance worker at New York City Housing Authority, who retired Sept. 1 with 29 years of service. Cheeks, who Save the Dates worked at Washington and Lexington Houses in Manhattan, says all he plans to do for now is relax. Saturday, Sept. 12, Labor Day Parade Teamsters lineup at ll:45 a.m., 46 Street, between 6th & 7th Avenues We’d like to hear from you. If you’d like us to report on what’s happening in your life, drop a line to Teamster Notes, Newsline, 216 W. 14 Street, NY 10011, or call 646-638-8636, Tuesday, Sept. 15, Primary Election or e-mail [email protected].

Friday, Sept. 18, Annual Latino Heritage Festival at Local 237 Music, food, guest speakers 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Flight Plan Saturday, Sept. 26, Health and Wellness Fair Presented by Queens Long Island Medical Group at Jamaica Estates Louis P. Padron, holding his retirement plaque, is flanked Medical Offices from left by President 180-05 Hillside Avenue, Jamaica, Queens Gregory Floyd and Citywide Free screenings for cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose and more. Division Business Agent 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. George Serrano. Padron, a former campus peace offi - cer, retired with 15 years Friday, Oct. 16, Annual Italian Heritage Event at Local 237 service at Queens College Music, food, guest speakers and a total 21 years in pub - 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. lic service as a former Port Authority police officer. He also worked for Pan American Airlines, where he was a member of another union. “Thereʼs no comparison with the Teamsters,” says Padron, who, with his wife, will continue living in Woodhaven, N.Y., but plans to fly to their TLC Lt. Edwards Retires homes in Clearwater, Fla., and Culebra Island in Puerto Rico during the win - ter months.

CONDOLENCES TO...

…the family of the late JAMAL A. W ILLIAMS , a Department of Homeless Services (DHS) police officer, who died April 27 after 10 years of service. • • • …the family of the late FREDERICK E. H ALLOWAY , an Evidence and Proper - ty Control Specialist, who died June 5 after 7 years of service. • • • …the family of the late FRANCISCO VALENTIN , a former heating plant tech - nician with New York City Housing Authority in the Bronx, who retired in 2000. Valentin died July 9 while vacationing with his family in the Ba - hamas. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. • • • …the family of the late ANGELA MARTIZA EVERING , a DHS Police Officer, who died July 10 after seven years of service. She is survived by three children. • • • …the family of the late GALE BARABA , a school safety agent L3, who died July 24 following a long illness. Baraba, 59, had 30 years of service and last worked at JHS 202 in Queens. She is survived by her four children. • • • …the family of the late SSA M IGDALIA CIFUENTES , who died suddenly of asth - Lt. Sidney Edwards retired from the Taxi & Limousine Commission on July ma on Aug. 4. Cifuentes, who worked at Central Headquarters in Queens 17 with 20 years of service. Edwards says he looks forward to quality time and moving to Delaware, where he plans to travel and enjoy his 13 grand - North Command, had six years of service. She is survived by her son. children. 14 NEWSLINE, September 2009 Local 237 Leaders Complete Cornell Course

Three Local 237 Officials were among the more than 30 graduates in the New York State AFL- CIO/Cornell Union Leadership In - stitute’s Class of 2009. A graduation ceremony was held July 17 at Cornell’s Industrial Labor Relations (ILR) school in Ithaca, N.Y., where Remilda Fergu - son, Housing Division director; John Burns and Ben Carenza, Long Island Division director and deputy director respectively, re - ceived certificates of completion from the Advanced Leadership and Labor Studies program. The pro - gram ran from July 2008 to July 2009. The program included leader - ship and managerial training as well as tackling critical economic, politi - New York State AFL/CIO/Cornell Union Leadership Instituteʼs Class of 2009. cal and social issues that impact the labor movement at the local, nation - al and international levels.

A Special Award Ferguson, who delivered the graduation speech, received the “Fox Hole Award” from her class for her inspirational talents. “We shared a passion for the labor movement,” says Ferguson, adding that she was deeply touched by the award. Chosen by the union to partic - ipate, three more Local 237 offi - A close-up of graduate Remilda cials are already studying in the Ferguson, Housing Division director. Class of 2010. They are Andrew President Gregory Floyd; City - Viegas, Long Island Division busi - wide Division Director Donald ness agent; Norberto Luna and Arnold, and Housing Division Curtis Scott, Housing Division shop steward and negotiating business agents. committee member Roberto Ca - Graduates John Burns, Long Island Division Director, and Ben Carenza, deputy Previous graduates include macho. director, flank Business Agent Andrew Viegas, Class of 2010. Study Seeks Aid for NYCHA Tenants Cooper Union’s Great Hall Continued from page 3 $31,000-a-year range, Velázquez em - phasized that “career training is es - Celebrates 150 Years ing hosted by Velázquez, the U.S. sential to lifting families out of House Financial Services Subcom - poverty.” Her proposal, the Earning To celebrate the 150th anniver - recreate the songs that signaled the mittee on Housing and Community and Living Opportunities Act, sary of its Great Hall, the Cooper changing times. Opportunity heard testimony from would strengthen “Section 3” of the Union is hosting six free presenta - Since 1850, the Great Hall has federal, state, and city housing offi - Housing and Urban Development tions open to the public and show - served as an historic platform for cials and advocates for public hous - Act, introduced in 1968, to better casing the historic words of radicals critical discussion of political, edu - ing. As the main source of affordable enforce requirements that people and reformers who propelled ad - cational and social issues. Among housing, NYCHA’s building com - living in HUD facilities be given vancements in civil rights, the labor the leading thinkers and activists plexes provide a vital public service, some of the work for federal HUD movement, education and the arts. who have graced the stage are Fred - much like education and transporta - contracts. The first free program is: erick Douglass, Harriet Beecher tion. But the economic crisis has Velázquez’s second proposal, Workers’ Rights Stowe and W.E.B. DuBois. forced NYCHA to layoff workers and the Together We Care Act, would Thursday, September 17, at 6:30 Keeping with tradition, each close community centers. provide training for public housing p.m., Cooper Union, Great Hall, 7 program focuses on one area of With rents rising through the residents to become home health East 7 St., NYC 10003 (Between 3rd protest, reform or education, with a roof, more senior citizens living care aides and care for the growing and 4th Aves.) distinguished historian and New longer, and new figures showing un - number of elderly people who live Tony nominee Maria Tucci leads York City notables recreating the employment skyrocketed to 9.5 per - independently in public housing a cast of notables including The Tri - landmark speeches and performanc - cent in the city this summer, the and can’t afford health care. “These angle Fire Remembrance Coalition es delivered in The Great Hall. hearing “provided a venue to dis - programs help those in public hous - in celebrating America’s labor move - For more information and a cuss the difficulties New York resi - ing learn valuable trades and em - ment as seen through the eyes of its full schedule of presentations call dents face in securing employment ploy them in jobs that can better the most ardent advocates and oppo - 212-353-4195 , or log on to and accessing health care options,” local community,” said Velázquez. nents: Clara Lemlich, Samuel Gom - www.cooper.edu. said Velázquez, adding that “It is Both proposals are expected to pers, Mother Jones, Walter Reuther, critical that efforts to improve af - be introduced in the House of Rep - and Andrew Carnegie in “Workers’ NOTABLE & QUOTABLE fordable housing take into account resentatives in the near future. Ac - Rights,” a Great Evenings in The “If a man empties his purse the needs and priorities of the local cording to Congresswoman Maxine Great Hall presentation at The Coop - into his head, no man can take it community.” Waters (D-CA), chairwoman of the er Union. Historic photographs and away from him. An investment in Noting that in New York City subcommittee, implementing Sec - documents complement the power - knowledge always pays the best the average family income for a pub - tion 3 of the HUD act can potential - ful words that advanced a move - interest.” lic housing resident is $22,728 a ly create more than 16,000 jobs each ment, and the stirring voices of the Benjamin Franklin year, while average rents are in the year. New York City Labor Chorus will NEWSLINE, September 2009 15 Resumen en Español La Primera… ¡Felicitaciones, Magistrada Sotomayor!

Este Mes de la Herencia His - ciones del Senado de los EE UU, pana, los Latinos celebran con donde ella enfrentó senadores tanto orgullo sin precedente un evento simpatizantes como criticones, re - singular el la historia de los Estados spondiendo a lo que parecía un sin - Unidos y Nueva York – la confirma - número de preguntas dirigidas a ción de Sonia Sotomayor como la revelar su temperamento y sus opin - primera Latina nombrada magistra - iones sobre asuntos difíciles, tal do de la Corte Suprema. Nacida en como la pena de muerte, el aborto y el Bronx de descendencia Puertor - el derecho de tener armas, la acción riqueña, Sotomayor es una ex resi - afirmativa y el matrimonio entre dente de los proyectos Bronxdale personas del mismo sexo. A través que ascendió a través de los rangos del largo proceso, Sotomayor man - impulsada por los méritos de sus tuvo su serenidad, respondiendo cualidades estelares. con inteligencia, basado en su Su currículo vital creció de hu - conocimiento de la ley y su experi - mildes comienzos en la Escuela Se - encia extensiva en su aplicación en cundaria Cardinal Spellman a su casos públicos y privados. graduación summa cum laude de la La Latina de 55 años de edad, Universidad Princeton y su servicio acredita a su madre, Celina, por con distinción del boletín Yale Law haber sido un ejemplo poderoso y Journal en la Facultad de Derecho por haberla enseñado el valor de tra - de Yale. El patrón de logros distin - bajar arduamente y de obtener una tivos continuó al avanzar ella de ser Photo cortesía de la Casa Blanca buena educación. La madre enviu - Fiscal Asistente en la Ciudad de Magistrada Sonia Sotomayor con su madre, Celina. dada de Sotomayor trabajó mientras Nueva York a ser socio en una firma de Circuito de los EE UU para la donde Sotomayor sirvió como miem - que estudiaba para obtener su título legal privada. Corte de Apelaciones de los EE UU bro de la junta directiva. Comparan - de enfermería y a la vez criar a dos Durante las audiencias, So - para el Segundo Circuito desde do la Alta Corte a un club exclusivo, hijos que tenían altas aspiraciones. tomayor notó “la importancia crítica 1998 hasta el presente. Perales notó que está compuesto de En las audiencias, Sotomayor del servicio público como respons - Su nombramiento a la Corte solamente nueve miembros quienes enfatizó la educación, diciendo, “El abilidad de un abogado.” Respondi - Suprema por el Presidente Barack sirven a la nación de por vida. éxito de nuestros hijos depende de endo a un principio que la guía, ella Obama es “el nombramiento mas im - El proceso de confirmación para ello.” Ella también abogó a favor del dejó su práctica privada para el ser - portante jamás hecho en este país de Sotomayor fue difícil, como lo es servició público, diciendo “No vicio público como Juez de los EE un Latino,” dijo César Perales, direc - para todos los que son nombrados a puedo pensar de algún servicio mas UU del Distrito Sureño de Nueva tor ejecutivo de Fondo Legal de De - la Corte Suprema. Incluyó las audi - grande que el ser dado el privilegio York en 1992, y fue nombrada Juez fensa Puertorriqueño (PRLDF), encias televisadas de las delibera - de ser un Juez de la Corte Suprema.”

Guarde Estas Fechas Asista a Seminarios Para Planear Su Retiro

Sábado, Septiembre 12 Comenzando Octubre 1º 2009, la División de Jubilados Desfile Día del Trabajo – Formación de Teamsters a las 11:45 patrocinará gratis Seminarios de Planificación de Jubilación a.m., Calle 46, entre 6ª y 7ª Avenidas para los miembros de la Autoridad de Viviendas y de la Ciudad que sean mayores de 50 años de edad. Martes, Septiembre 15 Habrá cuatro seminarios diferentes, en distintas fechas, que Elecciones Primarias cubrirán temas variados desde la elegibilidad para recibir una pensión de la Ciudad hasta cobertura del seguro de salud y Viernes, Septiembre 18 cómo asegurar que sus beneficios le seguirán si se muda a otro Festival Anual de la Herencia Latina en el Local 237. Música, sitio. Los oradores incluirán representantes de los planes de comida, oradores invitados salud, expertos en el manejo de dinero, representantes del 5:30 p.m. a 10 p.m. Seguro Social, un abogado y profesionales médicos. Sábado, Septiembre 26 Para más información o para solicitar materiales de inscripción, Feria de Salud y Bienestar llame a Winston A. George, Director Adjunto, al 212-807-0555 . Presentado por el Grupo Médico de Queens Long Island en las Vea la programación de los seminarios Oficinas Médicas de Jamaica Estates , 180-05 Hillside Avenue, Jamaica, Queens Jueves, Octubre 1º – 5:30 p.m . Análisis gratis de colesterol, presión de sangre, glucosa san - Introducción a procedimientos y beneficios de jubilación guínea, y mucho más Jueves, Octubre 8 – 5:30 p.m. 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. Seguro de Salud y Cobertura del Fondo de Bienestar de la Unión Jueves, Octubre 22 – 5:30 p.m. Viernes, Octubre 16 Planificación Financiera, el Seguro Social y Servicios Legales Celebración Anual de la Herencia Italiana , en el Local 237 Música, comida, oradores invitados Jueves, Octubre 29 – 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. a 10 p.m. Cómo Mantenerse con Salud en Cuerpo y Mente NEWSLINE We HERH OT O R O PERIODICALS D B O L F A

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