Retiree News & Views
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N&V May/June:News&Views 5/30/13 11:46 AM Page 1 RETIREE nA PUBLICeATION OFw LOCAL 237 RsETIREE DIV&ISION VOL. 19, NO. 3, MAY/JUNE 2013 A Toast to Women’s Hvisitoery w& Hesalth o mark Women’s History Month in March, the Retiree Division hosted a Tcelebration focusing on healthy lifestyles. Representatives from the New York City Parks Department, the Library and Poi - son Control Hotline were on hand to provide information about their programs. The Amer - ican Diabetes Association presented diet and nutrition advice as well as a low-calorie cook - ing demonstration. Nancy B. True, director of the Retiree Di - vision, highlighted the importance of women to Teamsters Local 237, which has grown over the years with an increasing number of women in its ranks and in leadership roles. Recently, the union held several press conferences calling for the city to settle an From left, Susan Milisits, assistant director, and Luz Carty retiree assistance counselor, join equal pay lawsuit it filed on behalf of school presenters from the American Diabetes Association at the table. safety agents, 70 percent of whom are female, negotiating committee members and activists by cutting down on fat and sugar, and adding who earn $7,000 a year less than other peace in solidarity. more fruit, salads and vegetables. officers who do similar work in male-domi - Dr. Delcia Granville, of the Food and Chef Stephanie Slater prepared and nated titles. Drug Administration, spoke about diabetes, shared with guests a tasty and nutritious low- Luz Carty, retiree assistance counselor, emphasizing that it is a “serious epidemic” calorie salad of cabbage, carrots and cilantro, presented a slide show on the role of women striking one in every six persons. Granville adding a dash of lime, salt and pepper, fol - in Local 237, where they contribute as shop shared diabetes-prevention techniques, in - lowed by a papaya shake with Splenda sugar, stewards, liaisons, grievance representatives, cluding how to be more active and eat better low-fat milk and a splash of vanilla. We Welcome New Retirees ntering a new phase of life, in this case retirement, has its own set of chal - Elenges. That’s why the Retiree Division hosted a seminar in April, introducing new retirees to the Division’s wide range of serv - ices and pro - grams designed to support and enhance retire - ment. Retiree Cejester Walker, chairman of the Bronx retiree group, addresses the audience as The seminar, Luz Carty, retiree assistance coordinator, looks on. organized by Luz Carty, retiree assistance for 33 years. Winston George, deputy director, Susan Milisits, as - counselor, covered topics from dental, vi - sistant director, and Sara Wagner, Legal Services Division, were also sion, and prescription-drug benefits to on hand to address the audience and answer questions. Medicare, legal services, and classes in Led by Carty, new retirees introduced themselves as the audi - photography, painting, politics and more. ence gave each one a round of loud hoorays. Retiree Cejester “We are essentially business agents Walker, chairman of the Bronx Retiree Committee and member of Hung Chen, a retired as - for retirees,” said Nancy B. True, direc - the Latino Committee, encouraged the newly minted retirees to sistant manager for tor of the Retiree Division, adding that take advantage of Retiree Division programs, reminding them they NYCHA, holds up her the division has been serving retirees are “retired from work, but not from the union.” “Hooray” sign. N&V May/June:News&Views 5/30/13 11:46 AM Page 2 & 2 RETIREE news views May/June 2013 A Message From the President Gregory Floyd Pay Equity is Every Worker’s Right nions fight for better pay, wages and pen - and we’ve conducted three press conferences to air this issue in the sions that guarantee workers dignity in re - past three months calling for a settlement with the city. Utirement. We do this because the Labor While our members deserve to be fully compensated, they have Movement, at its heart, is about fairness. That’s been seeking justice for years and should not have to wait several more why we are fighting so hard for our school safety while the suit works its way through the courts. A settlement is in the agents to be paid the same wage as other certified peace officers who city’s interest as well, since it would pay out millions less than it would do similar work. More than 5,000 current and former school safety pay if it loses the case in court — which it likely will. agents — 70 percent of whom are women — have joined the gender- While the city resists spending money from a tight budget, we based, class-action, wage-discrimination suit led by Teamsters Local are not merely asking for a raise. It’s about correcting an injustice. 237 against the City of New York. The foundation for this case was set by great women’s advocates SSAs protect students and staff at New York City public schools, like Susan B. Anthony, Gloria Steinem, and many others who fought much like special officers at Health and Hospitals Corporation do at for equal treatment. The Labor Movement was vital to the Civil public hospitals, and other peace officers do at homeless shelters and Rights and the Feminist Movements. As a society, our jobs are a at city colleges. But right now, SSAs are paid 20 percent less than other large part of who we are. We can measure our values on how we peace officers — $7,000 a year less. They are not being treated equally, treat people at work. These are not just labor values; these are and that’s not fair. American values. Discrimination is not acceptable at any job, but this is not just any It’s encouraging that these values are once again in the forefront job. It’s a difficult and important one. Our children can’t learn if they of public discussion. A growing chorus of voices is calling for an in - don’t feel safe in school. It’s a sad truth that many school administra - crease to the minimum wage. Recently, a city law was passed man - tors spend more time responding to illegal behavior than fostering ac - dating paid sick days. We look forward to more victories for all ademic achievement. Our SSAs try to change that. They confiscate workers — union and non-union — which serve to strengthen the guns, break up fights, and endure assaults. They deserve to be treated Labor Movement. fairly, not as second-class citizens. I pledge to keep fighting for our SSAs as long as it takes. A vic - We want to resolve this issue, but the city is refusing. We’ve tory in this class-action suit would set another cornerstone in the foun - reached out to the Office of Labor Relations, but they won’t talk to us, dation for equal rights. Making the Right Moves By Nancy B. True, Director, Retiree Division pring is here and I’m inspired to take longer that’s not enough. Granville said we must change from our increas - walks, eat lighter meals, and make time to ingly sedentary lifestyles to a more active one. Senjoy nature. Coincidentally, these healthy Close to 80 percent of Americans don’t meet exercise guidelines impulses are known to add years to our lifespan. set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That includes Activity and proper diet can help protect me! The guidelines call for at least two and a half hours of moderate against age-related diseases, such as dementia, muscle and bone loss, aerobic exercise each week. The Retiree Division’s two-hour T’ai Chi heart disease and type-2 diabetes. Staying active, socially engaged, and class, for example, handily meets the CDC’s requirements, when you mentally agile adds to the quality of our lives and allows us to remain include the commuting effort and some light weight lifting (perhaps independent longer. while watching TV). Local 237’s Retiree Division offers programs and services de - Keeping our brains active is equally important. Activities that in - signed to encourage healthy lifestyles. Recently, at our Women’s His - volve learning new things, such as a second language or a musical in - tory Month event, Dr. Delcia Granville discussed ways to prevent strument, help to build up a reserve of brain cells and connections weight gain and diabetes by eating more fruits and vegetables and which improve memory, problem-solving and language skills. Brain practicing portion control. She also urged us to cut back on sugar. Still exercises also help protect against Alzheimer’s disease. The Retiree Di - vision’s classes and special events not only boost brain power they are & entertaining and a great way to socialize. Marching in union parades RETIREE news views and protest rallies stimulates both the body and the mind. Attending Published bi-monthly by the Retiree Division of Local 237, International Brotherhood our various heritage celebrations adds culture and camaraderie to the of Teamsters (USPS 013028). Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY. Postmaster: Send address changes to: RETIREE News & Views, 216 West 14 Street, healthy mix. New York, NY 10011 212-807-0555, [email protected], www.local237.org Stretch your brain power at home by staying abreast of social and political issues, volunteering for a cause, or mentoring a student. Play - GREGORY FLOYD PATRICIA STRYKER ing cards and board games are good brain exercises, and so is surfing President Recording Secretary the internet. Sign onto Local 237’s website at www.local237.org RICHARD HENDERSHOT NANCY B.