Volume 40 • Number 1

January 2010

Training Delegates to Serve the Membership

Union Delegate Iris Bracy-Cooke asks a

Bruce Cotler
question at one of the training sessions
as other Delegates look on.

“When You’re United Everything Works Better” Andrea Walters, Associate Secretary-
Treasurer, represented Secretary-Treasurer

L ocal 371’s annual Delegate Train-

ing took place at District Council 37
Headquarters this year, welcoming more
than 170 delegates on January 9. Despite
the bitter cold, Delegates from nearly every
New York City agency participated, many
attending for the first time.
This month also marked the 45th Anni-
versary of the 1965 Welfare Strike. Present
at the Delegate Training were Sybil Alex-
ander and Dempsey Phillips, two members
who participated in the historic strike and
continue to serve the Union as a Delegate
representing members in the Human
Resource Administration/Adult Protective
Services and Associate Director of the Local
371 Grievances Department, respectively.
“When you’re united everything works
better,” said President Faye Moore in her
welcoming remarks. “When management
sees us willing to put our bodies on the line,
this is what it’s all about.”
Upon being introduced, the officers out-
lined the role of each department. Executive
Vice President Yolanda Pumarejo explained
how each body within the Union is orga-
nized and emphasized the importance of the
agency chapters in the Union’s functioning.
Joe Nazario and detailed where members’
dues are allocated and who makes decisions
over Union expenses.
Vice President of Political Action and
Legislation Michelle Akyempong stressed
members need to keep their contact in-
formation at the Union up to date for the
phone-banking process the Political Ac-
tion Committee conducts after the Union
endorses candidates. She also urged every
Delegate to spread the word about the 2010
Census because its tally appropriates funding
for each government district.
Continued on page 7

Hold the Dates
Local 371’s Annual Black History
Celebration – February 5, 2010
1965 Welfare Strike – 45 Years Ago This Month Santa Came to Town
Forty-five years ago this month, on January 4, 1965, thousands of our Union
Local 371 members
members went out on strike to win one of the first and most comprehensive
collective bargaining agreements for municipal workers in the country. In the make the Holidays extra
special for many New York
course of the 20-day strike in which our brothers and sisters faced dismissals,
Pat Arnow

Local 371’s Social Work Month sub-freezing temperatures and the wrath of the City administration and the press, families every year.
10 Union leaders were jailed on January 21 for defying an injunction against the
Celebration – March 12, 2010 walkout. The strike ended in victory on February 1, 1965. See story and photos on Pages 4–5
 To u gh Ye ar, B u t O u r U n io n
2009 – A
erged S tro nger T h an E v er
Em

T
r Union as the national with challenges for ou
he year 2009 was filled ilies did not
on om y cra sh ed . Al tho ugh workers and their fam
and local ec its, the
are be ing hit ha rd est by it while the real culpr
cause the crash, we our expense.
d co rp or ate sec tor s, have saved themselves at
financial an sing of
ge , car rie d ov er fro m 2008, was the planned clo
Our first major challen using Authority
Ce nte rs in Fe br ua ry by the New York City Ho
18 Community with layoffs. After
er 20 0 of ou r NY CH A members threatened in place,
with ov nte rs and keep our members
ign ing to sav e the ce and
months of campa eti ng s wi th City Council members
for m of me
campaigning that took the tio ns and press conference
s, the centers
niz ati on s, de mo ns tra
community orga re saved.
job s of 17 sen ior Co mmunity Associates we
were kept open and the workers find jobs in vario
us city agencies
so me of the NY CH A
We also helped n of the community
co ntr act ag en cy tha t took over the operatio
or in the
Services
centers.
thi s str ug gle , the Ad mi nistration for Children’s
Hard on the heels of by June and cut
ns in M arc h to lay off 516 Local 371 members President Faye Moore
announced pla mberg’s January 2009
ser vic es in or der to satisfy Mayor Bloo
back pr ev en tiv e ent of Homeless
. La yo ffs we re als o pr oposed for the Departm
Financial Plan n Services, Housing,
rtm en t of Records and Informatio
Service s, the De pa and Community
ve lop me nt, an d the Department of Youth
Preservation an d De campaign,

“ With
are d on tel ev isi on , lau nched a radio and print
Development. We appe our permanent
the City from laying off
and lobbied ele cte d offi cia
ild
ls
ren
to sto
an d
p
fam ilie s at risk. Subsequently, the M
unicipal our proud
workers and putting ch uld postpone some
e up with a plan that wo
Labor Comm itt ee an d the Ci
nths.
ty cam
history and past
of the layoffs for three mo al of our resources
cuts, we gave a great de
While we co nti nu ed to
pa
fig
ign
ht the
for
se
ma yo r of New York City. And alt
hough he and present
to Bill Thompson’s cam t effort made by our
we stand proud of the grea
fell just short of ge tti ng
.
ele cte d,
victories to
Union and its members ent workers in ACS
aro un d and hundreds of perman
When Septe mb er
pr ep
ro lle
are d
d
a lawsuit to take the city
to court for violating the inspire us, we
were lai d off , we r preparations, the
Sta te Ci vil Service Law. During ou
intent of the
Department of Cityw
Ne w Yo rk
ide Ad mi nis tra tiv e Se rvices (DCAS) informed
us that they
the Caseworker
are entering
of Ch ild W elf are Specialist comparable to
had ruled the tit
title, thus enabling so
le
me of the 28 9 pe rm an ent CWS workers who
were laid
the Human
2010 stronger
er 25 to be hir ed as pe rmanent Caseworkers in
off on Septemb
Reso ur ce s Ad mi nis tra tio n to fill vacancies and leave
lines, and to replace
lines available.
than ever
there are about 150 such
provisionals. Currently Council
co mp let ed ter ms for our merger with District to better
”
Finally, we have jus t 371.
wh ich wi ll ad d ov er 40 0 new members to Local
37 Local 1457 rting,
str ug gli ng to rec ov er and many people are hu represent you.
The economy is sti ll niversary of the
ali ve an d we ll. Th is month is the 45th An
but Local 37 1 is of the first
W elf are Str ike in wh ich our Union won one
historic 20-day 1965 agreements for municipa
l workers in the
lle cti ve ba rg ain ing
comprehensiv e co ies to inspire
ou r pr ou d his tor y an d past and present victor
entire country. With ent you.
ing 20 10 str on ge r than ever to better repres
us, we are en ter –Faye Moore

2 The Unionist | January 2010

Dr. Boyce Watkins, the People’s Scholar, CALENDAR
January
to Speak at Black History Celebration 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: An
official City holiday

D r. Boyce Watkins, the people’s scholar been quoted in 19 Alumni Association Meeting: 2 p.m.
Union Office, 12th Floor
who specializes in finance, education and The New York
20 Delegate Assembly: 6:30 p.m. Advance
Black social commentary, will highlight Times, The Realty, 235 West 23rd Street in Manhattan
the Union’s Annual Black History Celebration Washington 25 Black History Committee Meeting:
program on Friday night, February 5 at District Post, Black En- 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor
Council 37. The theme of this year’s event is terprise Maga- 26 Political Action Committee Meeting:
“The Challenge of Change.” zine and more. 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor
Following dinner, which begins at 5:30 p.m., Besides finance, he 27 Civilians in Law Enforcement
Chapter Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union
President Faye Moore will make the welcom- is also committed Office, 12th Floor
ing remarks. The event is being coordinated by to social justice
February
Moore and VP Beverly Mallory Brown. “This and has been an
1 Black History Committee Meeting:
is one of our best programs yet,” said Moore. outspoken critic of racial and social inequality. 6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor
“Come early and celebrate our rich cultural His fourth book, “What If George Bush Were a 3 Executive Board Meeting: 6:30 p.m.
history with the Union.” Black Man?” is a riveting social commentary. Union Office, 12th Floor
5 Black History Celebration: 5:30 p.m.
Watkins Has Spoken to Millions Changes to CLW Title Series DC 37 125 Barclay Street in Manhattan
Specific information regarding the recent reclassification of
Keynote speaker Watkins is an international 12 lincoln’s birthday A floating holiday
workers in the Community Liaison Worker title series from
(see calendar on page 6 for details)
authority on finance and investing. He’s made competitive to non-competitive status will be published in the
February Unionist. In the meantime, members may call the 15 president’s day An official City holiday
regular appearances on CNN, CNBC, MSN- Union’s Negotiations section or Grievance section at 212-677- 16 Alumni Association Meeting:
BC, ABC News, and BET. He’s written for and 3900 for information. 2:00 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor
17 Delegate Assembly: 6:30 p.m. Advance
Realty, 235 West 23rd Street in Manhattan
CCSW Scholarship Deadline is April 30, 2010 23 Political Action Committee Meeting:
6:30 p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor
Applications are now being accepted for the 2010- as a matriculated student in a graduate program lead-
24 Civilians in Law Enforcement
2011 academic year for the Committee of Concerned ing to a Master’s degree in Social Work. Chapter Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union
Social Workers Scholarship and the Sol Gorelick An application packet must be requested in writing Office, 12th Floor
Scholarship. The one-time grants—$2,500 this from Yolanda Pumarejo, chair, Committee of Con-
year— have been awarded to more than 75 mem- cerned Social Workers, SSEU Local 371, 817 Broad-
bers through the years. In order to be eligible for the way, New York, New York 10003. The deadline for
scholarships, persons must be Union members in submitting completed applications is April 30, 2010.
good standing and have completed at least six credits Winners will be announced on or about July 3, 2010. Published monthly except for a combined issue in July/
August and a Supplement in January by the Social
Service Employees Union Local 371, District Council 37,
AFSCME, AFL-CIO. Subscription Price $2.00 annually.
Periodical postage paid at New York, N.Y.
Union to Celebrate Social Work Month in March POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: The
Unionist, SSEU Local 371, 817 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y. 10003.
Local 371’s 25th Annual Celebration of Social Work Month will take place on Friday, March 12 at DC 37 with USPS# 348990 (212) 677-3900
an evening of music, food, speakers, and recognition of the Union’s social workers. ISSN# 0041-7092
“This event honors those Union members who have graduated from social work school in the past year,” President
said Executive Vice President Yolanda Pumarejo, the coordinator of the event and chairperson of the Union’s Faye Moore
Committee of Concerned Social Workers. “We expect to have a great time this year, as always.” All Local 371 Executive Vice President
Yolanda Pumarejo
members, family and friends are invited to attend the celebration, which will begin with a free buffet dinner
Secretary-Treasurer
from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The program will follow, and is expected to end by 9:00 p.m. Joe Nazario
Attention Recent SSEU Local 371 Graduates: V.P. Negotiations & Research
Anthony Wells
Please fill out the coupon below if you have graduated from social work school in the last year, June 2009,
V.P. Organization & Education
August 2009, or will graduate in January 2010, so that your name can be listed in the commemorative journal ad. Beverly Mallory Brown
Hundreds of Union members who received their MSWs have been honored at this event over the years. V.P. Grievances & Legal Services
Lloyd Permaul
Please return to Yolanda Pumarejo, CCSW, SSEU Local 371, 817 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
V.P. Legislation & Political Action
Michelle Akyempong
I received my MSW in q June 2009 q August 2009 q January 2010 V.P. Publicity & Community Relations
Michelle Conklin
School_ ____________________________________________________________ DATE of graduation_______________________
Trustees
name_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Michael Ballesteros
Yolanda DeJesus
address___________________________________________________________________________________ apt. _ ___________________ Melva Scarborough
Editor
city_ ______________________________________________ state________________________________ zip______________________
Martin Fishgold
work tel._ ________________________________________________ home tel._ ___________________________________________ Director of Communications
Linda Schleicher
s.s. #____________________________________________ civil service title_______________________________________________ Editorial Associate
Jessica Ramos
job function_ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Visit us on the web at www.sseu371.org

January 2010 | The Unionist 3

 Workers Bring Holiday Joy
to Clients and Children
Local 371 members make the Holidays extra special for many New York fami-
lies every year. This year was no different. Together, they pooled their time and
energy, and at many locations even their money, to make sure their clients and
children had a wonderful time with food, toys, and plenty of Holiday cheer!
The Holidays Persevere at
Staten Island ACS
It almost didn’t happen.
Cutbacks in agency funding
meant fewer contributions to
the children’s holiday party this
year, “but the workers felt that
Christmas without a party for
the children was like peanut
butter without jelly,” says Robert
Salemi, Supervisor II at Staten
Island ACS. “They just go
together.” Salemi coordinated
a fun-filled holiday party, with
much help coming from the
Caseworkers, collecting $500
among themselves for the
holiday festivities. Donations
from SSEU Local 371 and toys
from Holy Child Church, the
Richard Gardner Memorial
Foundation, and Toys for Tots,
among others, also helped
put together a wonderful
event. A clown and a magician
entertained the children of
Staten Island ACS at Brighton
Heights Reformed Church on
December 18. The children also
danced to the tunes of a local
deejay, were visited by Santa
Claus, Steve Taub (Photo #6),
and ate cotton candy (Photo #5).
Another happy child is pictured
in Photo #7. Some of the
workers who helped organize
the affair were: Deborah Pride,
Samantha Velez, Rob Timmons,
Natalia Rosado, Lania Carter-
Photos 4 & 5: Pat Arnow. Photos: #8, 9 Jessica Ramos
Johnson, Carla Cornick, Nancy
Fine, Jeanette Jack, Christina
Pope, Heather Richardson,
Celeste Rivera, Alane Ruchman,
Lawrence Scott, Melissa
Sugarman, Magdalena Leszco
and Wadeeah Sweatte.
Many Happy Families at
Brownsville HASA
December 18 was also the day
workers at Brownsville HASA
chose to celebrate the holidays
with clients and their children.
Local 371 members Patricia
Vega, Brenda Bennett, Sheryl
Calderon, Triffin Leatham,
Cassandra Young, and Julia
Douglas worked together to
coordinate an afternoon of
food and toys. Donations from
the Union and $5 they had
collected from each worker at
HASA made the event possible.
The children were overjoyed
with their gifts (Photo #13, 14
and 15) and a very special visit
from Santa Claus, also known
as Brownsville HASA’s very own
Walter Fields. They sang along
to Christmas music and had a
merry time.
Through Tough Times,
Queens HASA Pulls Together
Only a few days after the bliz-
zard, with snow still piled up
on the streets, Queens HASA
hosted their holiday party on
12
1
Santa Came to
December 22. To make the
party a reality, the workers began
holding brunches and raffle
fundraisers nearly six months in
advance! All their hard work paid
off. They served food for their
clients and children (Photo #9).
The children also received toys
13
from Santa Claus, Caseworker
Michael Detman. Staff members
who helped coordinate the party
include: Jelena Grim, Yvonne
Katallage, Jill Peters, Derrick
Carr, Howard Sosis, Margaret
McKenzie, Carol Maynard, Aida
Crespo, Tammy Hardy, Belinda
Lewis, Gail Grandsoult, Jocelyn
Ramirez, Merline Sanon, Rafael 15
Medina and Didtrich Carr; many
pictured with Local 371 Orga- this in mind, preparations for the
nizer Joe Locust in Photo #8. party started at the beginning
of December when a box was
Amsterdam HASA has Plenty set up to collect toy donations
of Holiday Cheer from HASA workers themselves.
The workers at Amsterdam Donations from the agency and
HASA set out to help their the Union allowed for food,
clients in most need this year. more toys and gift certificates to
One of the organizers of the be purchased. On December 22,
holiday party, Abby Campbell, food was served to approximately
says, “Some of our clients are 25 happy families. Families
totally dependent on us.” With invited to join in holiday cheer
11
10
 2 3
Town
Photos by Pat Arnow and Jessica Ramos
14
were those with unemployed
parents, with 3 or more
children, and/or children doing
exceptional work in school.
“We really felt those children
should be rewarded for their
effort and hard work,” assured
Campbell. The children enjoyed
choosing their gifts (Photo #10)
and had a great opportunity to
celebrate the Holidays with their
families (Photo #11) with lots
of love from the workers. Local
371 members who contributed
to party planning were: Abby
Campbell, Adela Cruz, Livitha
DeSouza, Ade Mola, and Allan
Hoare. Warrnia Rumph and
Eileen Honan worked extra hard
to find resources and go the extra
mile to make the holiday party
January 2010 | The Unionist 5
possible. Some of the workers
are pictured with toys and their
clients’ children in Photo #12.
¡Feliz Navidad! From Bronx
HASA
The children at Bronx HASA
had sparkling smiles as they
celebrated the Holidays with
great warmth from the workers.
Alice Adeyeye, a Caseworker,
welcomed the clients and
their children to their annual
holiday party on Christmas
Eve, December 24. Monique
Lewis, Sonia Bryant, Shola
Oshole, Rosanna Rodriguez,
and Yvette Theus prepared toys
to be distributed to the children
(Photo #3). Santa Claus
himself, Caseworker Angel
Frete, had help from fellow
Caseworker Yvette Theus
getting dressed (Photo #4)
and then distributed the gifts
to the children. Sonia Bryant,
Supervisor I, helped serve the
food to the families and said,
“We really made an effort to
serve a healthy meal. We made
sure to include all the food
groups for balanced nutrition.”
The children sang along to
Christmas carols throughout
the celebration. One little girl
even got up from her seat to
9 8
4
give her own rendition of Jose
Feliciano’s ¡Feliz Navidad! The
workers at Bronx HASA also
held a clothing drive, allowing
neighbors to deposit used
clothing in bins outside the
center for others to pick up.
Children Enjoy the Holidays
at Greenwood HASA
‘Twas the afternoon before
Christmas and many children 5
lined up to receive the toys and
clothes Greenwood HASA
workers bought for them. The
children were allowed to choose
two gifts, all carefully categorized
by age. Alison Thomas, Patricia
Clifford, Tiffany Porter, and
Hazel Gowasack, pictured in
Photo #1, assisted the children
and received their glowing
smiles in return. “They make
all the hard work worthwhile,”
said Alison Thomas, a
Caseworker. Thomas headed 6
the party committee, which also
coordinated the food and ice
cream served for all the families.
Sharon White (Photo #2) helped
serve child after child bowlfuls
of ice cream and cookies. All
the families agreed: Greenwood
HASA was the perfect start to a
wonderful Christmas!
7
—Jessica Ramos
Two Longtime Union Employees Retire in the society at large. I’ve truly enjoyed
working with them.”

A
ssistant to the President John Tal-
butt and Executive Secretary Karen
Davis-Phoenix have both recently
retired from Union service.
Talbutt, who retired on January 9,
worked for the Union from 1970 to 1972
and then from 1988 to the
present. He became a City
worker in 1961 and worked as a
Caseworker and Supervisor I at
the St. Nicholas Welfare Cen-
ter, the Kingsbridge Welfare
Center and the Non-Residents
Welfare Center. He was active
in the 1965 Welfare Strike and
in the 1967 Strike for improved John Talbutt
working conditions and con-
tract enforcement. While with the Union,
Talbutt dealt primarily with workers serving
the homeless population.
Among the highlights of Talbutt’s career
are the following: “The best work action we
ever held was the one we organized at the
Talbutt expects to continue his lifelong
hiring agreement. The election of Stan- political activism in retirement. He lives
ley Hill in 1970 as president of Local 371 in Elmsford with his wife Andrea, and he
was another truly rank-and-file action. He has two children, a son in Elmsford and a
was the first president to serve a full term daughter in Providence, Rhode Island, and
with the merged union, and he was the two grandchildren.
first Black president. The workers identi-
fied their interests with the interests of the Davis-Phoenix, executive secretary
clients being served and they to President Faye Moore, retired from
recognized that the union the Union on December 31, after 32
movement was as an impor- years of service. Phoenix was first hired
tant factor in influencing the under President Joe Sperling and worked
entire culture. Most of the for VP of Grievances and Legal Services
unions at that time were focus- George Clark and VP of Organization Nat
ing on the bread and butter Williams. She also worked for President
Jessica Ramos
isssues, and we understood the Charles Ensley from 1983 to 2008.
need for unions to be involved She looks back on her years working for
in broader social movements. the Union with fond memories. “I met a lot
In the late 1970s, I saw our of interesting people, I learned a lot, and I
union receding into the back- enjoyed myself. Rev. Al Sharp-
ground of the general union ton, Senator Charles Schumer
movement and losing its and lots of other prominent
special militant connection to New Yorkers crossed my path.
social issues. Then along came My co-workers were especially
Charles Ensley to revitalize nice to be around. ”

Non-Residents Welfare Center which suc-
ceeded in getting the City to hire hundreds
of Caseworkers to bring the caseload down.
It was truly a rank-and-file action in which
311 out of 312 workers stopped work im-
mediately at 3:00 p.m. and remained solid
for seven days until we reached a landmark
Jessica Ramos
our local and reconnect to its And what about her plans
militant, socially conscious for retirement? “My main
tradition. There’s a really tal- Karen Davis-Phoenix plan is to help care for my
ented group of people now who aging mother. I’d also like to
are working for the Union. Every one of travel a little and just take it easy.”
them has that understanding of how our Local 371 wishes Karen and John a long
work connects to the broader social issues and happy retirement!

Union Member Melvin Alston Wins Prestigious Award
Melvin Alston, a longtime Local 371 member
and activist was one of 10 City employees to re-
ceive a prestigious Public Service Award from the
Hundred Year Association for working tirelessly
out of the spotlight. The awards, which totaled
$22,000 in cash, are presented annually by the
organization which is made up of companies that
have been in business for over 100 years.
Alston, a Community Coordinator in the Adminis-
tration for Children’s Services, was awarded $1,000
for his work involving community organizations in
LEGAL HOLIDAYS 2010
foster care and THE CITY OF NEW YORK
child support, and New Year’s Day Friday, January 1, 2010
for his founding Martin Luther King’s Birthday Monday, January 18, 2010
of Harlem Men Lincoln’s Birthday* Friday, February 12, 2010
Stand Up, a group Washington’s Birthday Monday, February 15, 2010
that supports men Memorial Day Monday, May 31, 2010
raising children. Independence Day Monday, July 5, 2010
Labor Day Monday, September 6, 2010
The Hundred
Columbus Day Monday, October 11, 2010
Year Association
Election Day Tuesday, November 2, 2010
was founded in 1927 and has given out more than Veteran’s Day Thursday, November 11, 2010
$1.5 million since it began its award program. Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 25, 2010
Christmas Day Friday, December 24, 2010

Congratulations pionship season this December, throwing over 200

yards in the annual Gridiron Classic game. Although
New Year’s Day** Friday, December 31, 2010

*In lieu of Lincoln’s Birthday, employees subject to the holiday

For the past four seasons, Aubrey Z. Norris, son
of Local 371’s Associate Director of Organization
Aubrey Norris, has been the quarterback for Central
Connecticut State University’s championship football
team. In his four years at the helm of the team, Nor-
ris earned the 2005 Northeast Conference Offensive
Rookie of the Year award, and CCSU has won two
conference championships. Norris ended his cham-
6 The Unionist | January 2010
they lost the Gridiron game to Butler University,
CCSU ended their regular season with a 7-1 record.
“In all humility, I can say as a father, he has moves
that I didn’t have when I was his age,” said Norris.
With his natural talents coupled with the support of
his immediate family and friends at Local 371, it is
more than obvious that Aubrey Z. Norris has a bright
future ahead of him.
provisions of the Citywide Agreement or the Leave Regulations
for Management Employees receive one floating holiday to be
used during calendar year 2010, providing that the employee
was in active pay status prior to February 12, 2010.
** New Year’s Day for calendar year 2011 will be observed on
Friday, December 31, 2010.
Based on the 2002 MEA with the exceptions of Unions that
opted out of this provision, civilian employees newly hired on
or after July 1, 2004 are not eligible for the Floating Holiday.
 ‘When You’re United Everything Works Better’
Continued from page 1
VP of Publicity Michelle Conklin said
she loves this event because, “this is the
heart of this Union.” Conklin encouraged
Delegates and members at their location to
write letters to the editor of The Union-
ist and sign up for E-news on the Union
website, www.sseu371.org, to receive the
latest information.
Research and Negotiations, Grievances
and Legal Services, and Organization and
Education were the three departments to
host each of the information sessions. VP
of Research and Negotiations Anthony
Wells and his team, Glenda Lee, Rose
Lovaglio-Miller and Sladiee Cole, listed
the seven different contracts Local 371 ne-
gotiates with the City and explained many
of the important clauses in them.
VP of Grievances
and Legal
Services
13
16
January 2010 | The Unionist 7
Union members have Weingarten Rights,
allowing a worker to have union represen-
tation at an interview. In these situations,
Lloyd Permaul led his department in
Delegates can provide counsel, interrupt a
describing how the section enforces the
meeting if intimidation is being used, and
Union’s contracts. Grievance representatives
meet privately with the worker in question.
Dempsey Phillips, Peta Gaye-Jamieson,
Another tool Delegates are encouraged
Reuben Adeshuko, Robert Jordan, and Pat-
to use at job locations is calling for a labor
rick Verone each took turns explaining how
management meeting when necessary.
the Delegates can tell between a grievance
VP of Organization and Education Bev-
and a gripe, how to file a grievance using the
erly Mallory-Brown and her team coordi-
appropriate forms, and how time and leave
nated the high-energy Delegate Training.
for workers is determined.
— Jessica Ramos
Each location whose workers are rep-
resented by the Union have an organizer
assigned to guide Delegates through the
system. Local 371’s organizers, Aubrey
Norris, Ronald Moore, Jose Velez, Amador
Suarez, Joe Locust, Magda Santos, Adrienne 2
Miller and Lisa Turner, each made presen- 3
tations highlighting a City worker’s rights.
1
4
5
10
9 8 7
Union officers (clockwise 1-7) are: President Faye Moore, VP Lloyd
Permaul, Executive VP Yolanda Pumarejo, and VP’s Anthony Wells, Beverly
Mallory-Brown, Michelle Conklin, and Michelle Akyempong. Associate
Secretary-Treasurer Andrea Walters (8); Delegate Maria Jimenez (9);
Assembled Delegates (10); Delegate Saundra Galloway (11); Delegate
Arleen Gill (12); Delegate Joseph DiGirolomo speaking (13); Organizers
12 11
(l-r) Amador Suarez, Adrienne Miller and Jose Vélez hand out Delegate
packets (14); Delegate Estella Nuñez (15); and Delegate Eric Seroy (16).
Bruce Cotler
15 14
Condolences
Condolences are extended to Miriam Ramos-
Ortiz, Legal Trustee of Local 371 and AJOS
II at Crotona Job Center #46, on the death
of her sister, Margaret Ramos-Velasquez on
December 15. Condolences may be sent to
Miriam Ramos-Ortiz, 140 Parkchester Road
#6G, Bronx, NY 10462.
Get Well
Get well wishes are extended to Richard
De Ariaz, Union Delegate and Supervisor I at
HASA. Get well wishes may be sent to Richard
De Ariaz c/o HASA, 400 8th Avenue, New York,
NY 10001.
Congratulations
Congratulations are extended to Carmen
Johnson, Community Associate at Department
of Homeless Services Vacancy Control, on her
retirement after 25 years of service.
Members’
BULLETIN BOARD
WANTED- Top cash paid for your old jazz,
soul, R&B and gospel albums.  Call Howard
at (212) 873-4016.
HRA CHESS CLUB will meet on Tuesday
evenings at 6:30 p.m. at McDonald’s 355 8th
Avenue at West 26th Street in Manhattan. For
more information, call Henry Brooks (347)
499-0223 or (212) 971-2000.
FOR SALE- Large ceiling fixture, clown col-
lection, dolly, luggage, dishes, pots, glass-
ware, gift items, tie rack, never worn size
small ladies’ clothing including dark brown
Borghese faux fur jacket, boots and shoes
size 8, large American flags, books, new
cordless telephone with clock radio, electri-
cian’s meters, lots more. Call 718-430-1769
and leave a message.
SWAP- Caseworker at HRA/UAP 180 Water
Street would like to swap with Caseworker
at West 34th Street or 400 8th Avenue in
Manhattan. If interested, please call (212)
331-3164. (11)
SWAP- Hospital Care Investigator at Coney
Island Hospital would like to swap with
Hospital Care Investigator at Kings County
Hospital. If interested, please call (718) 616-
4093. (12)
FOR SALE- Large, dark silver refrigerator
dispenses water and makes ice. Heavy-duty
GE washer and dryer used for few months, in
excellent condition. If interested please call
(646) 373-4055 or (212) 848-6536. (12)
SWAP- JOS worker at HRA/FIA 132 West
125th Street in Manhattan would like to swap
with JOS worker at Linden, Dekalb, or Euclid
Job Centers in Brooklyn. If interested, please
call (646) 280-5062. (1)
FOR SALE- New, never been used Maytag
washer, dryer and dishwasher. Good price. If
interested, please call (347) 272-9280. (1)
Social Service Employees Union
Local 371
817 Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10003
Member’s Daughter on Broadway
M arlene Marshall must have known
her only daughter would someday
be a star. Shakira was born 25 years
ago in New York City and was named after
the Guyanese model and actress Shakira
Baksh (who later married Michael Caine).
Today, Shakira Marshall is making her
Broadway debut in the ensemble of the
new musical Fela!
Marlene herself
hails from Guyana,
arriving in Brook-
lyn in 1968 and
currently a proud
Cambria Heights,
Queens resident. She has 26 years of City
service, and previously worked in the CASA
program in HRA. For the last eight years,
she’s worked at Adult Protective Services as
a Supervisor II and a location-based trainer.
Her dedication to her work and her clients
complimented her husband’s, a Commander
in the U.S. Army, in providing their chil-
dren with the opportunity to develop their
creativity in dance and the arts. Shakira’s two
brothers, Malik and Sidique, are also trained
in dance but have pursued other endeavors.
Shakira says her “mission in life is to share
her light with the world through all forms
of art” and she exhibited her passion from
an early age. Shakira began her career at the
age of three and a half when Marlene placed
her in piano, ballet, tap, jazz and acrobat-
ics classes. While her exceptional learning
capabilities earned her continuous spots in
advanced classes, her stunning stage pres-
ence earned her the nickname “Sunshine”
by the time she was attending high school
at St. John’s Preparatory School in Astoria,
8 The Unionist | January 2010
Periodicals Postage
Paid at New York, NY
Queens. “Once she
steps foot on stage,
everything just
lights up!” Marlene
exclaims proudly.
Marlene says she
loved to dance when
she was younger,
but never pursued it
professionally. She’s
Shakira Marshall proud Shakira has,
though, with much
focus and devotion. While attending
the State University of New York at
Purchase, in pursuit of a degree in
Media, Society and the Arts, Shakira contin-
ued to train in New York City
at Dance Studio ‘A’, Perfec-
tion Dance Center, the Edge
School of the Arts and Alvin
Ailey on weekends.
She has not stopped. Upon
earning her degree in 2006,
Shakira has complimented
her professional work with
Marlene Marshall
Queenz Finest Dance Com-
pany, performing in the United
States and internationally, most notably for
the Danish royal family. Before starring in
Fela!’s ensemble, she performed at the Apollo
Theater and was cast for the off-Broadway
show Scandalous People: A Sizzling Jazzical.
She has also performed on stage and in music
videos with artists such as Machel Montano,
Sean Paul, Elephant Man, Eve, N*E*R*D,
and many others.
Shakira plans to release her first album
soon, with songs of her own inspiration.
—Jessica Ramos