Local 237 NEWSLINE
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I March 2012 Vol. 46, No. 3 R Albany’s Passage of Tier 6 Undermines Future Re tirees lbany Legislators worked small part from the economic age pension in the range of (D-Westchester) was quoted in through dawn on March slump. $20,000 a year, will have to the Times as saying. He said A15 to pass a controversial Appearing to speak for contribute more for less. he was briefed by Assembly pension reform plan, creating a both sides of the heated pen - Their new contribution rates Speaker Sheldon Silver, who Tier 6, on the heels of a Tier 5 just sion-reform debate, the gover - will rise through progressive worked through the night to two years ago, further eroding the nor, was quoted in the New levels depending on their gather the votes to conclude retirement security that state and York Times as saying, “Fight as salary as follows: Public em - the agreement. city public employees have hard as you can, and then un - ployees earning up to $45,000 President Gregory Floyd, earned, fair and square, for more derstand there’s going to be will pay 3 percent; $45,000 to who opposed Tier 6 on the than half a century. some amount of reasonable $55,000 will pay 3.5 percent; grounds that strong pensions Labor unions fought the compromise.” and $55,000 to $75,000 will help build a middle class, good fight against passage of often recalls the turning point the new tier, and were able to in 2000, when $850 million in win some concessions in the excess funds were drawn out plan, touted by Gov. Andrew Future Public Workers to of public pension funds and Cuomo and Mayor Michael put into the city’s budget Bloomberg as the way for Bear Wall Street’s Burden under Mayor Rudolph Giu - struggling municipalities to liani. save more than $80 billion A recent Chief Leader arti - over the next 30 years. Among Cuomo’s compro - pay 4.5 percent. Newly hired cle noted that for agreeing to Disregarding the role of the mises are the following: public employees will pay the so-called “restart,” unions financial industry in the 2008 their contributions over the received several benefits for stock market crash and housing I The 401(k)-style pen - course of their careers. their members, including a market collapse that severely sion plan originally proposed by Cuomo was adopted as an permanent pension cost-of-liv - hurt the investment returns of option for only nonunion Vesting Time Raised ing adjustment and the discon - many pension funds, Cuomo workers earning $75,000 tinuing of employee contribu - and company chose the politi - Also, under Tier 6, employ - salaries or more. ees will vest after 10 years in - tions into the pension system cally expedient path by squeez - stead of the current five years. To after 10 years of service. ing savings from so-called “un - I The current minimum retirement age of 62 was help reduce pension padding, “We made a mistake,” born” public workers. raised one year, to 63, instead the agreement changes the time Floyd told the Chief Leader, Intended to Offset Costs of the originally proposed 65. period for the final average ”when we allowed Governor Pataki and Mayor Giuliani to The savings, which won’t I The projected savings salary calculation to five years kick in for many years, are of $80 billion over 30 years from three, and pensionable do away with the 3 percent meant to offset the spiraling dropped from $113 billion in overtime for civilian and non- contribution after 10 years costs of pension payments the original plan. uniformed workers will be and let the municipalities not from local governments, which Effective April 1, 2012, capped at $15,000, plus infla - put in as much as they can. have grown from $1.4 million when Tier 6 takes effect, tionary change. The system worked for 70 in 2002 to $12.2 billion in newly hired public employ - “It’s either this or worse,” years until we decided we 2012, or 650 percent, in no ees, who can expect an aver - Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow were going to tinker with it.”
“We made a mistake when we allowed Governor Pataki and Mayor Giuliani to do away with the 3 per - cent contribution after 10 years and let the municipalities not put in as much as they can. The system worked for 70 years until we decided we were going to tinker with it.” – Gregory Floyd 2 NEWSLINE, March 2012 Local 237 Member Services
UNION HEADQUARTERS EXECUTIVE OFFICES, 5th Fl. 212-924-2000 212-924-2000 A Message From 216 West 14th Street Gregory Floyd, President The President New York, NY 10011-7296 Richard Hendershot, LOCAL 237 DIVISIONS Vice President CITYWIDE DIVISION , 2nd Fl. Ruben Torres, 212-924-2000 Secretary-Treasurer Donald Arnold, Director PERSONNEL , 5th Fl. Peter Gutierrez, Deputy Director 212-924-2000 Al Soto, Law Enforcement Edmund Kane, Director and It’s Time to Renew Labor Militancy Director Chief Negotiator Randy Klein, Assistant Director POLITICAL ACTION & any union leaders and politicians all New Yorkers. There were rallies and ad - HOUSING DIVISION , 2nd Fl. LEGISLATION , 5th Fl. often talk like they are at war. We vertisements on TV, radio and newspapers. I, 212-924-2000 212-924-2000 “fight” for our rights. We “battle” along with other union presidents, headed to Remilda Ferguson, Director Local 237 protects members’ M against big business or management. It sounds Albany in force to convince lawmakers to op - Brooklyn, Queens & Staten rights by helping to sponsor legis - inspiring, but is it a fair comparison? After pose the pension plan. At the end of the day, Island lation that is important to mem - all, we are not really charging into combat it wasn’t enough. James Giocastro, bers, and by opposing initiatives like our brave men and women overseas. Keep in mind our enemy: the real special Deputy Director that would hurt members. While we must be respectful of the differ - interests that are running this state — big LONG ISLAND DIVISION Patricia Stryker, Director ence, there are some important similarities. business insiders — like the people who run 631-851-9800 GRIEVANCES/DISCIPLINARY These are serious matters. Peoples’ lives are the Committee to Save New York. These peo - 1727 Veterans Memorial PROBLEMS , 6th Fl. at stake. Maybe not immediately, but when ple have no idea what it’s like to struggle to Highway 212-924-2000 dealing with someone’s retirement or health make ends meet. We’re the ones who fix the Suite 308 For grievances and job related care, the outcome could add or remove years boilers. We’re the ones who risk our lives to Islandia, NY 11749 problems, first contact your shop from their lives. When we work to protect the keep our school children safe. We mop floors, John Burns, Director steward and/or grievance repre - benefits of union members we should treat it repair elevators, protect the sick and home - Benedict Carenza , sentative. If they cannot resolve as though their lives were in our hands. We less. We know what real work is. Deputy Director the issue, they or you should con - should bring that much passion and convic - Make no mistake. This is a battle between Long Island Welfare Fund: tact your business agent. For information on the various tion to everything we do. Mal Patterson, Director of us and them for our livelihoods and future se - funds call 800-962-1145 In the conflict with Gov. Cuomo and his Grievances and Hearings curity. RETIREE DIVISION , 8th Fl. Todd Rubinstein, Esq. plan to decrease pension benefits, we fought They make sure that every dollar goes in 212-807-0555 Grievance Coordinator hard and won some battles, but did not win their own wallets instead of to working New Provides a variety of pre- and post- Debbie Coleman, Esq. the war. With help from the Legislature, the Yorkers. Even with all our resources, they retirement services, including pen - Grievance Coordinator governor was able to push through a law that will have more money than us and have con - sion and health insurance counsel - will dramatically reduce pensions for new trol of the people in power. If we don’t ing to members. (Pension coun - CIVIL SERVICE BAR ASSN hires. People will have to contribute more for change their game, I fear there could be more seling by appointment, Thursdays 6th Fl., 212-675-0519 longer but receive less. It is a sad day for the attacks like this pension plan. only). General retirement counsel - Gloria Johnson, Esq., President labor movement in New York State. It’s time we turned this into a real fight; ing and retirement planning series Aldona Vaiciunas, We cannot underestimate the real world our livelihoods are on the line. This loss is a during spring and fall. Office Administrator and consequences of losing this fight. Future gen - wakeup call. We need to get back to our roots Nancy B. True, Director Grievance Coordinator erations of working New Yorkers will only as trade unionists. The members who came LOCAL 237 DEPARTMENTS John Picucci, Esq., face more uncertainty in retirement than they before us won the benefits we enjoy by taking Grievance Representative (Citywide and Housing) already face. Discouraged by lower benefits, to the streets time and again. It’s time we do CSBA Welfare Fund SKILLED TRADES , 2nd Fl. fewer people will enter the ranks of public Alicare 866-647-4617 the same to protect those benefits. We won’t 212-924-2000 service, and our cities and state will suffer be - sit by and let the Committee to Save New Donald Arnold, Director COMMUNICATIONS, 8th Fl. cause of it. York get their way. They disregard our impor - 212-924-2000 HEALTH AND SAFETY , 2nd Fl. On this page, we mostly talk about our vic - tant contributions, but we keep our cities and Tania M. Lambert, Editor 212-924-2000 tories and our efforts to achieve them. It is also state running smoothly. We will make them Local 237 Newsline Donald Arnold, Director important to look at when we come up short. It see just how much we matter. Website: www.local237.org Diane Stein, Coordinator was not a complete loss. The final pension This is not the end of the fight, only the MEMBERSHIP, 2nd Fl. EDUCATION AND TRAINING changes were less harsh than what the gover - beginning. We have learned a lesson from this 212-924-2000 8th Fl. nor had originally intended. Still, we drew a pension issue that we must carry with us as Provides membership services 212-807-0550 line in the sand and it was undeniably crossed. we move into the future. The time for talk is and records, including address Provides a variety of training and To stop this attack on our future workers, over. It’s time for action. We will fight with changes. educational advancement oppor - the labor movement tried many things. Nu - everything we have to help revive the labor Laverne White, tunities for members. merous unions banded together and tried to movement and to preserve the important Administrative Manager Frederick Dunn, Director persuade the public and elected officials that rights and benefits that have been won for the WELFARE FUND, 3rd Fl. USEFUL NUMBERS they were not acting in the best interests of next generation of union members. 212-924-7220 FOR PRE-RETIREES The Fund administers the eligi - B i l bility, enrollment, disability, NYCERS (New York City l K r e optical and death benefits Employees Retirement System) s s directly by the Fund’s in-house By Mail: 335 Adams St., Suite e staff, as well as prescription 2300, Brooklyn, NY 11201-3751 and dental programs indirectly. In Person: 340 Jay Street, Carnell Joyner Jr., Director Mezzanine, Brooklyn, NY 11201 LEGAL SERVICES, 4th Fl. Gen’l Information: 347-643-3000 212-924-1220 Outside NYC toll-free: Lawyers advise and represent 877-6NYCERS members on covered personal legal problems, including domes - NYCERS Internet tic relations (family court pro - www.nyclink.org/html/nycers ceedings, divorce and separation), NYC Department of Education purchase and sale of a primary Retirement System residence, wills, adoptions, credit 65 Court St., Brooklyn, NY 11201 and consumer problems, tenant 718-935-5400 rights and bankruptcies. Social Security Administration Office Hours: 800-772-1213 Mon.- Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mary Sheridan Esq., Director NY State and Local Retirement Systems Kenneth Perry Esq., 518-474-7736 Deputy Director NEWSLINE, March 2012 3 School Safety Agents Merit Praise
The diligent work of several dents ran back to them to report that tion, it was revealed that the sus - school safety agents in the Bronx about eight youths tried to rob them. pects and others were part of a rob - West Command helped keep Gonzalez and Fonseca caught bery pattern in the area. schools and the community safe, up with some of the suspects and and earned praise from supervisors asked for their ID cards. Two of the Alfred E. Smith H.S. who nominated the SSAs for special students were from Roosevelt Edu - On Jan. 31, Bradley Mera, a com - commendations. cational Campus and the other one puter technician, noticed two stu - was from MS 45. dents loitering in the first floor hall - Middle School 45 SSA Jesus Santiago, responding way and looking out the window. On Feb. 9, around 8 a.m., SSA to a call from Gonzalez, arrived on the Mera notified an assistant principal, L3 Juana Gonzalez was outside the scene with a Department of Education who reviewed a video of the area to school with Anthony Fonseca, asso - official to escort the students back to identify the students. In the video the ciate supervisor of school security, MS 45 in a tactical manner, ensuring AP saw that another student had been book bag and ran. SSA Orlando when an assistant principal told that none of the suspects fled. let into the building through an unau - Capella and a dean gave chase. them a robbery occurred nearby. Back at MS 45, the attempted thorized exit by the two students. Meanwhile, SSA Christine Sav - Gonzalez and Fonseca searched the robbery victims provided a positive The AP asked school safety age picked up the bag and gave it to area and found four students stand - ID of the suspects, who were arrest - agents to search for the three stu - Peña, who scanned it. When he saw ing on the corner. They directed the ed and taken to the 48th Precinct for dents and re-scan them. “We got all the image of a gun, Peña rounded up students to go to school, but the stu - processing. On further investiga - three,” said SSA Luis Peña, “and the remaining three students for one more student who was with questioning. SSA Capella caught the them.” As they scanned each stu - fourth suspect. Securities Pros Toast Floyd dent, the fourth one dropped his It was later determined that the President Gregory Floyd was mitment to excellence and diversity bag contained a loaded 6.35 caliber honored at the 14th Annual Wall throughout their careers in the fi - firearm. All four students were ar - Above, MS 45 School Safety Agents Street Hall of Fame Gala Dinner and nancial industry. As trustee of the rested. Two were charged with gun Jesus Santiago and L3 Juana Gonzalez . Induction Ceremony, hosted by the possession, since an investigation New York City Employees Retire - Below, School Safety Agents in Alfred National Association of Securities ment System, and president of Local revealed that one student placed the E. Smith H.S. include Luis Peña, far gun in the other student’s bag. The Professionals (NASP). State Comp - 237, Floyd, along with his fellow right, L3 Sabrina Denson, far left, and other two students were released to troller Thomas DiNapoli and CEO honorees, has met the highest stan - Christine Savage, third from left. their parents’ custody. Cheryl E. Marrow of Koried, LLC, dards set by NASP. Orlando Capella is not pictured. were the other honorees. Accepting his award from for - The ceremony recognized indi - mer Gov. David Paterson, Floyd took viduals who demonstrated a com - the opportunity to remind the audi - ence that we are living through “a crisis,” adding that “the reason it exists is because women and minorities do not get a fair shake.” Taking a hard stance against the current attacks on public worker pen - sions, which dispropor - tionately impact women and minorities, Floyd emphasized that “this country needs organized labor” to protect its work - ers, and he stated that Brewers Back as Champions Former Governor David Paterson congratulates “the labor movement is President Gregory Floyd on his induction to NASPʼs here to stay.” The Brewers celebrated their ries late in the season also present - “Wall Street Hall of Fame.” first back-to-back championship ed challenges. when they defeated the Bombers last “We didn’t start the championship Local 237 October in three of five games with a until October third,” said Perez, ex - score of 7 to 0 in the deciding game. plaining that by then the evenings NEWSLINE Their third championship in were too dark to play at Randall’s Is - the last five years was hard won, land, their usual venue. Instead, they 216 West 14 St., New York, NY 10011 212-924-2000 notes Steve Perez, manager of the played at St. Mary’s Park in the South Website: www.local237.org Brewers and borough administrator Bronx, where they had lights. e-mail Newsline: [email protected] at New York Housing Authority’s “It was almost like the World Local 237 Newsline (USPS 700-000 ISSN 1083-3536) is published 10 times a year in the Brooklyn Community Operations. Series to play under lights,” said following months: January, February, March, April, May, (June, July and August will be “The Bombers are great opponents. Perez, who enjoyed the new experi - combined into one issue), September, October, November and December by Local 237, They took us to the limit,” said ence, along with his 21 champion International Brotherhood of Teamsters, 216 West 14 Street, New York, NY 10011. Periodical postage paid at New York, NY. Postmaster: Send address changes to Perez, adding that finishing the se - teammates. Local 237 Newsline, 216 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011.
Executive Board Brewers collect their softball Gregory Floyd Richard Hendershot Ruben Torres Patricia Stryker awards at Local President Vice President Secretary-Treasurer Recording Secretary 237. Pictured from Edmund Kane Steven Gordon Curtis Scott left are: José Trustee Trustee Trustee Santiago, supervi - Newsline and www.local237.org sor grounds, Isaac Tania M. Lambert Holmes Houses; Editor Carlos Vargas, housekeeper, If you move... Metropolitan Please send your change of address in writing to Membership to insure that you Houses and Cy continue receiving your newspaper. Young award pitch - Metro NY Labor Communications er; Steve Perez, manager, Brewers; Reggie Davis, assistant property maintenance Council supervisor, Rangel Houses; and Edmund Kane, trustee and softball commissioner. 4 NEWSLINE, March 2012
MANHATTAN NORTH School Safety Hosts Awards SSAʼs Keith Morris and Rosa Perez display their certificates for 25 years of service. Morris also has a perfect- attendance award. Right, Local 237 officials Al Soto, director Law Enforcement Unit, Citywide Division, center, Events and Donald Arnold, director, Citywide Division, join School Safety Division officials at the Appreciation Luncheon. he New York Police De - partment’s School Safe - Tty Division held award ceremonies in Manhattan North and Manhattan South Com - mands on Feb. 21 and Feb. 22 respectively. The awards recog - nized school safety agents for outstanding performance in a variety of categories, including crime reduction, community service, years of service, and perfect attendance. Assistant Chief Brian Conroy, SSAs sit at full attention at the award ceremony. commanding officer of the divi - sion, addressed honorees at both events, noting that school MANHATTAN SOUTH safety agents are “a critical component” of NYPD, and thanking them for providing “valuable intelligence.” Conroy also announced that 180 new recruits are undergoing en - hanced training to learn more about how to deal with stu - dents. Local 237 officials were on hand to congratulate the hon - orees, including Donald From left, SSAs Tanesha Adams, Charisma Fields and Starshemah Frederick wait for the awards ceremony to begin. Right, honorees line up for their awards. Arnold, director, Citywide Divi - sion; Al Soto, director, Law En - forcement Unit of the Citywide Division,; and Charles Mussa, business agent.
Al Soto and Todd Rubenstein, Esq., grievance coordinator, are flanked by honorees. NEWSLINE, March 2012 5 The Political Scene 237 Holds ‘Meet & Greet’ Breakfast with DA Vance
Local 237 held a “Meet and cyber crime is the fastest growing Greet” breakfast with Cyrus R.Vance criminal trend. last month, when the New York Vance emphasized that his strat - County district attorney provided a egy is “not just reactive to the police detailed description of the work his department.” His office is focused office has been doing since January on crime prevention over prosecu - 2010. tion. It’s the “evolution of law en - President Gregory Floyd, who forcement,” said Vance. served as an advisor on Vance’s Among his priorities, he said, are transition team, welcomed him to developing the DA’s office to serve as address the group of labor leaders a resource to help ex-offenders with and Local 237 officials gathered in employment and housing, which the conference room. Vance pref - will drive crime lower; establishing a aced his presentation by saying that President Gregory Floyd is flanked, from left, by Vincent Alvarez, president, New family justice center for victims of York City Central Labor Council; Mario Cilento, president, New York State AFL- he sets his course with two guide - CIO, and Cyrus R. Vance, district attorney, New York County. lines: to advance public safety and domestic violence in Manhattan, adhere to fairness. noting that “all the other boroughs But it’s complicated, he ac - have it;” and creating a mental- knowledged, especially with a mas - health court with an experienced sive 100,000 criminal cases a year to judge to determine treatment along ON AIR deal with. Calling them “Law and with criminal issues. Reaching Out With Greg Floyd Order” challenges, Vance noted that “A modern DA has to be smart the DAs office handles a vast variety on crime,” Vance said, “not just “Reaching Out With Greg Floyd,” of crimes and often has to “make looking at convictions, but helping airs Saturdays at 3 p.m. on WWRL judgment calls fast.” He also said to reduce crime.” AM 1600. In March, Floyd’s guests were: Councilmember JESSICA LAP - PIN of Manhattan; Commanding Offi - Get Ready, Get Set, VOTE! cer School Safety Division BRIAN CONROY ; and Manhattan District Election Day on Nov. 6 may seem felony conviction. Attorney CYRUS VANCE . Floyd also far away, but the campaign season is Register now at Local 237’s spoke with Local 237 members SGT. in full swing, with New York State’s website: www.local237.org . Look VICTOR MORALES , hospital police Republican Presidential Primary on on the home page in the lower officer, Goldwater Hospital; and Tuesday, April 24. Registered Repub - right-hand column under “Take Ac - Brian Conroy and Kirsten Gillibrand DOREEN MACK , manager, Gompers licans will select the candidate who tion” and click on “Register to Consolidation, New York City Hous - will take New York’s 95 GOP dele - Vote.” The drop-down menu in - ing Authority. gates to its national convention. cludes all the information you Voting is a basic right. Exercis - need. You can also call the New Tune in on April 14 at 3 p.m. ing that right gives us a powerful York City Board of Elections Gener - when U.S. SEN. KIRSTEN GILLI - voice in determining who best rep - al Office at 212-487-5300 , or call BRAND of New York returns as a resents our interests and who will your local board. guest on “Reaching Out With Greg be held accountable for decisions Floyd.” On April 21, Floyd wel - DRIVE: Every Dollar Counts that impact our lives. comes BISHOP MITCHELL TAY - We have much at stake in 2012. Teamsters continue to fight at - LOR, president, East River Develop - Our goal at Local tacks on workers ment Alliance, Long Island City. Greg Floyd with Jessica Lappin 237 is to have with the politi - each member reg - cal action pro - See video excerpts of “Reaching Out With Greg Floyd” on Local 237’s istered and vot - gram called website at www.local237.org/videos. Video excerpts also air on the NYC ing, and for each DECISION DRIVE, which cable TV systems listed below. of us to encourage 201 2 stands for Demo - eligible family crat, Republican, members and Independent Local 237: On the Air friends to vote. Voter Education. The DRIVE pro - STATEN ISLAND COMMUNITY BROOKLYN COMMUNITY AC - At press time, TELEVISION (CTV): CESS (BCAT): the Republican presidential fron - gram is funded through your voluntary contribu - Time Warner Ch.34; Verizon Ch. 34 Time Warner Ch. 35, Cablevision trunner is Mitt Romney, the former Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Ch. 68, Verizon Ch. 43 and RCN Massachusetts governor, who leads tions from $1 or more a week. Your support helps Teamsters’ efforts to Fridays, 6 p.m. Ch. 83 by more than twice the number of Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. delegates reached by the three other elect political candidates who BRONXNET: candidates: Rick Santorum, the for - have a proven record of supporting Cablevision Ch. 67; Verizon Ch. 33 QUEENS PUBLIC TELEVISION mer Pennsylvania senator; Newt working people and their issues, Tuesdays, 7 p.m. (QPTV): Gingrich, former Speaker of the regardless of what political party Thursdays, 8 p.m. Time Warner Ch. 35, Verizon House; and Ron Paul, a U.S. repre - they prefer. The contributions are Fridays, 7 p.m. Ch. 35 and RCN Ch. 83 sentative. used for voter registration pro - MANHATTAN NEIGHBORHOOD Mondays, 11 p.m. grams, rallies, phone banks, voter NETWORK (MNN): Time Warner Ch. 56, Verizon Register to Vote guides, and every effort to keep Time Warner Ch. 34, RCN Ch. 82 Ch. 36 and RCN Ch. 84 You must be registered to vote at members informed on key issues. and Verizon Ch. 33 Fridays, 11 p.m. least 25 days before the election if To volunteer your support, or in - Wednesdays, 8:30 p.m. you want to participate. To register crease your current pledge, ask your in New York City, you must be a business agent to give you an Affili - ‘Local 237: On the Air’ is now on Long Island Cablevision U.S. citizen, be a city resident for at ate Check-Off form , authorizing your least 30 days, be 18 years of age and employer to deduct the donation Hauppague System Ch. 20 Woodbury System Ch. 20 not be in jail or on parole for a from your paycheck each period. Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. 6 NEWSLINE, March 2012 We Celebrate Black History With Pride and Joy
President Floyd presents the Presidentʼs Award to Tammy Presidentʼs Award honoree Jerry Simmons, food services manager and Mal Patterson, director, Grievances and Hearings, left, congratulates SSA Newkirk, supervisor, Manhattan Boro, at Department of citywide training manager, is joined by family and friends. Brian Davis, a Presidentʼs Awardee, as his wife and child look on. Citywide Administrative Services.
Housing Division members Pamela Boylan, supervisor of grounds, Briana, 11 years old, daughter of Presidentʼs Donald Arnold, director, Citywide Division, left, joins members for a portrait. and Jellemonia Graham, assistant superintendent, flank President Award Honoree Bernard Williams, holds his Floyd with mementoes for their vocal performances. granddaughter, Amirah, 2. There was dancing... and singing... and acting...
Left, guests dance to the music of Rosalyn McClore Dance Trio; Above, the Voices of Hope Choir hits a high note. NEWSLINE, March 2012 7
ocal 237’s great hall was packed with people are trying to take away from us,” namely sembly Ways and Means Committee since 1994. members, families and friends who pensions. He urged everyone to be prepared. “If Farrell is a “very influential Assembly mem - L turned out for the annual Black History we call you for a demonstration, don’t just ber,” noted Floyd. “If it doesn’t go through his Celebration on Feb. 24. It was a night to re - watch it on TV; come and participate.” office, it won’t make it into the budget.” member, with awards recognizing outstanding Floyd presented a Golden Teamster Award Floyd also presented several members with leadership, as well as great music, drama, to New York State Assemblyman Herman President’s Awards, including Colin Edwards, dance and food. “Denny” Farrell, Jr., which was accepted by his Long Island Division; Tammy Newkirk, City - President Gregory Floyd addressed the daughter, Monique Guidry. Farrell, whose dis - wide Division; Bernard F. Williams, Housing guests, reminding them that in this election year trict encompasses West Harlem, Washington Division; Brian Davis, Citywide Division; and “We must not only vote,” but be aware of “what Heights and Inwood, has been chair of the As - Jerry Simmons, Citywide Division.
Photos by Gerald Schultz
Monique Guidry accepts a Golden President Floyd presents the Presidentʼs Award to Tammy Teamster Award on behalf of her father, Presidentʼs Award Honoree Bernard F. Williams, supervisor, housing care - Newkirk, supervisor, Manhattan Boro, at Department of Herman Farrell, Jr., chair of the takers, Dewitt Clinton Houses, is flanked by loved ones. Citywide Administrative Services. Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
President Floyd presents the Presidentʼs President Floyd greets Bronx West Explorers Post 2226 and School Safety Donald Arnold, director, Citywide Division, left, joins members for a portrait. Award to Colin Edwards, a night shift supervi - Division advisors, who helped make the celebration a success. Youths pic - sor at Brentwood School District-North tured include Claryssa Santana, Janelle Muñoz, Jayson Mendez, Maria Elementary School on Long Island. Nontelongo, Christian Peralta, and Mahamadou Waggeh. and acting... and lots of appreciating.
Left, Actors from the National Black Touring Circuit per - form a scene from the play “Dr. May Edward Chinn.” Right, the audience applauds heartily. 8 NEWSLINE, March 2012 LONG ISLAND REPORT
On the Bright Side
Workers for the Village of Brightwaters gather at sunrise to receive their re - cently ratified five-year contracts from Ben Carenza, deputy director, Long Is - land Division (not pictured). A “good deal,” says Carenza. It provides annu - al raises and keeps all prior benefits intact.
Center Stage
John Burns, director, Long Island Division, is flanked by members who work for the Cen - ter Moriches School District in the Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County during a recent visit to their worksite.
Home Away from Home Workers employed by the Town of Islip Housing Authority welcome Local 237 offi - cials John Burns, director, Long Island Divi - sion, and Ben Carenza, deputy director (not pictured). Rich Wankel, executive director of the Housing Authority is at far right. The agency, established in 1968, con - sists of four complexes. Residents in - clude Section 8 families living in 1,036 of the units, and elderly families and the disabled, who live in 360 of the public housing units. Maintenance workers and other Local 237 members are responsible for keeping the facilities running smoothly.
Hauppague System Ch. 20 Woodbury System Ch. 20 NEW AIRINGS ON LONG ISLAND CABLEVISION – Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. NEWSLINE, March 2012 9
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R Congratulations to SPECIAL OFFICER EDWIN LLOYD HOUSE of the Health Department Police at 303 9th Avenue in Manhattan, who is cel - ebrating 30 years of service. • • • MELVORIA BURK , caretaker and shop steward at Ravenswood Houses in Queens, would like to express her appreciation to NYCHA, her ex - tended family, for their tremendous support, compassion and sincere concern during the past year, following the loss of her daughter, Tara Webb, on March 26, 2011. • • • Welcome Back to SSA L3 F ANCELLE RAMEY , who returned to work at Central Headquarters in Long Island City, Queens, after 8 months in re - covery from an injury. • • • SPECIAL REQUEST VALERIE COOK , school safety agent L3, of Bronx East Command MS 301, seeks an organ donor to provide a kidney for her daughter, Odaisha Valyse Cook. Interested parties please contact Patricia McDonough at Nancy B. True, director, Retiree Division, and coordinator of Local 237ʼs Montefiore Children’s Hospital regarding Odaisha Valyse at 718-920- Hoops for Haiti fundraiser last October, presents a Community Service 4450. Award to School Safety Division advisors to the Explorer cadets. Steve Gordon, a Local 237 trustee, looks on from behind at center. School Safetyʼs We’d like to hear from you. If you’d like us to report on what’s Explorer program provided cadets for the Hoops for Haiti event, who were happening in your life, drop a line to Teamster Notes, Newsline, instrumental in carrying out a variety of assignments that helped keep 216 W. 14 Street, NY 10011, or call 646-638-8636, workshops and performances running smoothly throughout the busy, fruit - or e-mail [email protected]. ful day.
Quality Time After Former 237 Editor Killed 25 Years On Assignment in Syria Former Sgt. Frances Bowe displays her retirement plaque to a colleague at Marie Colvin, an acclaimed Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn. reporter who covered war stories, Bowe, who retired in February with and a former Local 237 News and 25 years of service, has three adult Views editor, was killed by shell - daughters, two nephews, a niece and six fire while on assignment in Syria grandchildren to spend quality time for the Times of London. with. She said she may take a cruise. Colvin, 56, born in Oyster Bay, New York, attended Oyster Bay High School and studied litera - CONDOLENCES TO... ture at Yale, where she worked on the university newspaper. …SCHOOL SAFETY AGENT L2 D ENISE KERR of the Bronx West Command Mo - After graduating, she began bile Task Force on the death of her father, Cecil Campbell, on Jan. 25, at her journalistic career at Local the age of 94. Campbell is survived by his wife, daughter, six sons and 237 in 1978, as acting editor of numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. News and Views, then the news - • • • paper for active members. She …STOCKWORKER HARVEY LEVINE of Central Storehouse in Middle Village, was hired by Joe McDermott, who Queens, on the death of his mother-in-law, Mamie Ophelia Foster, on Jan. oversaw public relations and edu - 25. Foster is survived by her son, daughter, three grandchildren, three cation. McDermott, who now great grandchildren, and three sisters. leads the Consortium for Worker • • • Education, recalls that Colvin was Associated Press …SSA T YRONE BELL of the Bronx East Command Evander Childs H.S. on “different.” She was tall, ener - tinguished herself as an intrepid the death of his mother, Lillian “Midget” Bell, on Jan. 31, at the age of 70. getic, attractive, and from a work - war correspondent. Bell is survived by four daughters, three sons, 15 grandchildren, and four ing-class background. Both her She reported from hotspots all great-grandchildren. parents were schoolteachers. She over the world, including Kosovo, • • • Baghdad and Sri Lanka, where she “made the paper more member- …TAXI & L IMOUSINE COMMISSION INSPECTOR LUIS PEREZ on the death of his centered,” says McDermott, not - was hit by shrapnel in 2001 and mother, Santa Sanchez, on Feb. 13. ing that she wrote about Local lost the use of her left eye. After • • • that, she sported a black patch. 237’s broad range of titles, from …SSA D ARYL JACKSON from Central Headquarters on the death of his hospital police officers confiscat - For her last assignment, mother, Denise Darcell Jackson, on Feb. 18, at the age of 58. Jackson is ing weapons at Metropolitan Hos - Colvin decided to stay an extra survived by sons Daryl and Demond. pital, to hostlers caring for police day in Syria to finish a story. That • • • day, rockets fired by the govern - department horses. …T&LC I NSPECTOR ALLI ALRAZI on the death of his mother, Refeena N. Ra - Colvin moved on to the UPI ment’s forces against opposition haman, on Feb. 23. press agency where her desire to activists, hit the house where • • • Colvin and French photographer become a foreign correspondent ... SSA L3 J ULIA WILLIAMS of the Bronx West Command JHS 80, on the was fulfilled. In 1986 she was cov - Remi Ochlic were staying. They death of her daughter, Mariah Fleming, on March 1, at the age of 16. ering unrest in Tripoli, the capital were among the 80 who died. Fleming is survived by her mother, father, three brothers, and six sisters. of Libya, when the late dictator, Colvin’s grieving mother, • • • Rosemarie, was quoted as saying Moammar Gadhafi, requested a …SSA L3 L LOYD JARRETT of Jane Addams H.S. in the Bronx East Com - meeting with her. They continued in AM New York that her daughter mand, on the death of his father, Lloyd Pargill Alexander Jarrett, on Feb. to meet frequently over the next was “totally dedicated to getting 12, at the age of 75. Jarrett is survived by his wife and two sons, Lloyd 25 turbulent years, when she dis - the story straight and getting out.” and Ian. 10 NEWSLINE, March 2012 Celebrating Women’s History Month 5 Women Discuss Their Civil Service Careers
In honor of Women’s History joined the Teamsters 22 years ago, Month, the Retiree Division, under Stryker said she also encountered “a the direction of Nancy B. True, host - male culture,” but then President ed a panel discussion “Women in Carl Haynes encouraged her to start Civil Service.” Patricia Stryker, the Women’s Committee, which recording secretary and political di - President Gregory Floyd continues to rector, moderated the panel and fully support. began the discussion with her own PAULINE ROSENBAUM , a re - civil-service career highlights. tired housing assistant manager, PAT STRYKER began her career said she began working at the New after college with a stint at the phone York City Housing Authority be - “Women in Civil Service” panelists and organizers include, from left, Bernice Judge, company, and tried teaching after cause her husband asked her to get a Nancy B. True, Pauline Rosenbaum, Patricia Stryker, Elsie Ortiz, Junia Mohamed- that. She joined the teacher’s union full-time job to help pay for the chil - Roc and Susan Milisits, social worker, Retiree Division, who coordinated the event. after noting that then president Al dren’s college. At the time, female to represent them and won the case said she decided to enter civil serv - Shanker had negotiated a contract in - employees were paying 12 percent and $19 million. “Now men and ice because it provides “one of the crease and prep periods for teachers. of their pensions, notes Rosenbaum, women are paid the same,” she said, most secure work environments “I became very involved,” recalls adding, “We questioned it and were emphasizing that it was “one of with excellent benefits.” Stryker, who rose through the ranks told ‘Women live longer.”’ Not set - many battles women had to fight.” But BERNICE JUDGE , a retired as a union representative and lobby - tling for that answer, the women ELSIE ORTIZ , a retired school housing assistant, said she had no ist, among mostly males. When she sought a pro bono group of lawyers safety agent with 35 years of service, interest in civil service. “I drove a friend to the exam, but rather than just wait for her, I took it.” Later, when Judge passed, but her friend Brooklyn DA Honors SSA Shereice Hunter didn’t, she took the job with the Transit Authority, “which was all School Safety Agent tive member in several visiting the sick and elderly. men at the time,” recalls Judge. “It Shereice Hunter was organizations, including Hunter, the mother of two — a was one of the best things that ever among 33 honorees in Voices of Woman Or - daughter who is a freshman at happened to me,” she adds, because the Sixth Annual Ex - ganizing Group, River - Buffalo State University, and a it led her to NYCHA with better traordinary Women’s watch Inc., James E. son in 10th grade at Edward R. hours and benefits. event hosted by Kings Davis Foundation, and Murrow H.S. in Brooklyn — says County District Attor - Blacks in Government. she intends to complete her un - Mentoring had an important ney Charles J. Hynes in “I love Bed-Stuy be - dergrad studies at John Jay Col - role in each woman’s career devel - honor of Women’s His - cause it is a community lege in the near future. Among her opment. JUNIA MOHAMED-ROC , tory Month. The event that comes together, credits are several certificates of a retired attorney with the Civil recognized women for that’s proud of its land - recognition from the New York Service Bar Association, recalled their accomplishments marks and its people,” City Police Department and that after law school she was hired and service to their said Hunter. “The Van - awards received last year, includ - and trained by a supervisor. Brooklyn communities. guard Youth Council in ing the New York State Senators Similarly, Bernice Judge said, “I Hunter, a shop steward with 12 Bed-Stuy was instrumental in help - Citation Award for Outstanding had a supervisor who advised me to years of service, works in the Com - ing me and my siblings get prepared Community Service. take the next test,” for senior super - munity Affairs department at Central for college….It changed my life.” DA Hynes, who bestowed the visor at NYCHA. Judge did and was Command in Queens, and is a resi - Hunter gives back to her com - title of Special Ambassador to each promoted. Crediting her mentor in dent of Bedford Stuyvesant. She munity in her spare time by volun - honoree, said, “[They] all have one person, Judge pointed to a smiling takes pride in her commitment to her teering to help the homeless and thing in common; they make Brook - Barbara Hazlewood who was in the work and community and is an ac - victims of domestic violence, and lyn a better place to live.” audience.
during which a problem occurred The patient’s wife’s timely reac - Know Your Rights with the administration of anesthe - tion to the unexpected circum - sia. The hospital failed to have crash stances thrust upon her husband fa - carts stocked with proper and ap - cilitated our achieving a $5,850,000 propriate medications, as a result of settlement for him and putting her By Sanford Rubenstein which this patient suffered brain in a position where she could make damage due to lack of oxygen. His the decisions to improve the quality wife consulted and retained our law of his life and care. firm within 10 days, and we imme - If you believe that your loved Health Care Proxy diately commenced a proceeding to one may have been the victim of have the court empower her to ob - medical malpractice, you should hen a person unexpectedly If you have questions about tain her husband’s medical records consult an attorney. Most attorneys, becomes cognitively impaired your loved one’s medical treatment and commence a medical malprac - including our office, do not charge Was a result of another’s negli - and the care that had been, or is tice action on his behalf. for a consultation. gence, someone must step up to make being provided, or the circum - We then commenced that action medical and financial decisions. More stances under which an injury oc - and vigorously prosecuted it. Mean - Sanford Rubenstein, Esq., is the often than not, most people do not have a curred, you should consider con - while, through our continued ef - senior partner at the Brooklyn law health care proxy or some other document sulting an attorney. Most often, forts, we secured an order from the firm of Rubenstein & Rynecki, which authorizing someone else to make medical quick action is necessary to protect court appointing the wife guardian handles all types of cases for per - decisions or to act on their behalf. This can your loved one. of her husband’s Person and Proper - sonal injury, medical malpractice present a complicated and extremely frus - Consider the case of the 70-year- ty, which expanded her powers and and cases involving police miscon - trating situation. It is advisable to have a old man who underwent a routine gave her the authority to make duct. The law firm can be reached at health care proxy. outpatient diagnostic procedure choices for his care and needs. 718-522-1020. NEWSLINE, March 2012 11 Resumen en Español
Negociaciones Día y Noche Producen
os legisladoresC de Aolbanny tra c- ceientos, en igraon parnte deebidos a la creí - nvigor , lNos nuuevose empvleadoos p úTbli - iueniforma do6 s. bajaron hasta el amanecer de sis económica. cos, que podrán anticipar una pen - “Aceptamos esto o algo peor,” L Marzo 15 para aprobar un Dando apariencia de abogar por sión anual en promedio de unos según fue citado en el New York plan de reforma pensional que ha ambas partes del acalorado debate $20,000, tendrán que contribuir más Times el Asambleista J. Gary Pret - generado cotroversia, creando un de la reforma pensional, el gober - para obtener menos. El índice de su low, (D-Westchester) de haber oído Tier (Escalón) 6, siguiendo de cerca nador fue citado en el New York nueva contribución aumentará por del Presidente de la Asamblea, Shel - lo que fue el Tier 5 hace solamente Times de haber dicho, “Luchen lo niveles progresivos dependiendo de don Silver, quien trabajó durante dos años, lo cual continúa dismin - más fuerte que puedan, y luego en - sus salarios como sigue: Los em - toda la noche para reunir los votos uyendo la seguridad de jubilación tiendan que tendrá que haber alguna pleados públicos con sueldo de 0 a necesarios para sellar el acuerdo. que los empleados públicos del cantidad de acomodación mutua.” $45,000 pagarán un 3 por ciento; de El Presidente Gregory Floyd, estado y de la ciudad se han ganado, Entre las acomodaciones figu - $45,000 a $55,000 pagarán un 3.5 quien se opuso al Escalón 6 a base justamente, por más de medio siglo. ran: por ciento; y de $55,000 a $75,000 de que una pensión sustancial Los sindicatos lucharon fuerte - El tipo de plan pensional 401(k) pagarán 4.5 por ciento. Los nuevos ayuda a levantar la clase media, fre - mente en contra de la aprobación de originalmente propuesto por Cuomo empleados públicos tendran que cuentemente recuerda el momento este nuevo Escalón, y pudieron fue adoptado como una opción sola - contribuir por todos los años que de cambio en el año 2000, cuando ganar algunas concesiones en el sacaron $850 millónes de los fondos plan, que fue presentado por el Gob - excesivos de pensiones públicos ernador Cuomo y el Alcalde para ser usados en el presupuesto de Bloomberg como la forma en que las Los Trabajadores Públicos la ciudad bajo el Alcalde Rudolph municipalidades podrían ahorrar Giuliani. Un artículo reciente en el $80 billónes a través de 30 años. Sin Del Futuro Llevarán Carga periódico Chief Leader notó que considerar el papel que jugó la in - para obtener su participación en el dustria financiera en el colapso de llamado “reinicio” los sindicatos la bolsa de valores en el 2008 y el De Wall Street recibieron varios beneficios para sus colapso del mercado de viviendas miembros, incluyendo un ajuste que severamente afectó las inver - permanente en el costo de vida de la siones de muchos fondos pension - mente para los trabajadores no esten trabajando. pensión y el cese de contribuciones ales, Cuomo y compañía escojieron miembros de un sindicato con suel - También con el Escalón 6, los al sistema de pensión después de 10 la ruta de menor resistencia al ex - do de $75,000 o más. empleados serán investidos (con años de servicio. traer a fuerza los ahorros de los fu - La edad mínima de retiro au - derecho a una pensión) después de “Cometimos un error al permitir turos trabajadores públicos “no- mentará a 63 en vez de los 65 que 10 años de servicio, en vez de los 5 que el Gobernador Pataki y el Al - nacidos.” fue propuesto originalmente, del ac - actuales. Para reducir la acumu - calde Giuliani eliminaran la con - Esos ahorros, que no serán acti - tual 62. lación repentina de créditos pen - tribución del 3 por ciento después vados hasta muchos años, se desti - Los ahorros proyectados de $80 sionales, el acuerdo cambia el perío - de 10 años y al permitir que las mu - narán a detener el creciente costo de billónes a través de 30 años bajó de do de tiempo para calcular el sueldo nicipalidades no contribuyeran lo pagos pensionales de los gobiernos los $113 billónes en el plan original promedio final, de tres años a cinco, máximo que pudieran. El sistema locales, que ha crecido de $1.4 mil - de Coumo. y se pondrá un máximo de $15,000 trabajó bien durante 70 años hasta lónes en 2002 a $12.2 billones en En espacio de un año cuando el en sobretiempo pensionable más in - que decidimos jugar con él,” dijo 2012, o sea un aumento de 650 por nuevo Escalón (Tier) 6 entra en flación, para empleados civiles y no Floyd en el periódico Chief. El Fiscal General Vance Visita al Local 237 El Local 237 organizó un de - ja una gran variedad de crímenes y dicó que el crimen cibernético es el es “no solamente ser reactivo al de - sayuno el mes pasado con el fín de frecuentemente tiene que “hacer área de más rápido crecimiento. partamento de policía.” Su oficina “Presentar y Saludar” a Cyrus rápidas decisiones de juicio.” In - Vance enfatizó que su estrategia se enfoca en la prevención del Vance, fiscal general del Condado crimen mas que la persecución del de Nueva York, quien ofreció una mismo. Es la “evolución de la descripción detallada del trabajo fuerza policial” dice Vance. Entre que ha estado desarrollando su sus prioridades están el desarrollo oficina desde Enero 2010. de la Oficina del Fiscal General El Presidente Gregory Floyd, para servir como un recurso para quien sirvió como un consejero en ayudar a los exconvictos a encon - el equipo de transición cuando trar empleos y viviendas, lo cual Vance tomó mando de su cargo, le disminuiría el crimen; el establec - dió la bienvenida para dirigirse al imiento de un centro de justicia fa - grupo de líderes laborales y ofi - miliar para víctimas de violencia ciales del Local 237 reunidos en la doméstica en Manhattan; “todos los sala de conferencias. Vance abrió otros condados lo tienen,” notó su presentación diciendo que él es - Vance; y la creación de una corte de tablece su rumbo con dos metas: el salud mental con un juez con expe - de avanzar la seguridad pública y riencia que determinaría el de mantener lo que es justo. tratamiento junto con los asuntos Pero esto es complicado, admi - criminales. “Un Fiscal General tió él, especialmente teniendo que moderno tiene que ser astuto en lidiar con 100,000 casos criminales cuanto al crimen… no solamente al año. Calificándolos de “retos de mirando las convicciones, sino tam - la Ley y el Orden” Vance notó que bién ayudando a reducir el la oficina del Fiscal General mane - El Presidente Gregory Floyd le da la bienvenida a Cyrus Vance, fiscal general crimen,” dijo Vance. del Condado de Nueva York. w s he a n a v E s r e k a t k r a P H W workers m work-ord Y B in House mebrs and quartes, caret a ing ul a ki ndr iset hr Ci ork r e h t a e it NEWSLINE ill lp Hou sin lled-
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