Official Publication of Social Service Employees Union Local 371-DC 37 AFSCME, AFL-CIO
the
Moore Denounces DCAS Plan at
Civil Service Commission Meeting
P resident Faye Moore, speaking at an
Albany meeting June 10 of the New
York State Civil Service Commission,
denounced the Department of Citywide
Administrative Services (DCAS) five-year plan to
eliminate 96 percent of the current 36,500 provi-
sional workers by reclassifying competitive titles
to non-competitive or exempt status. Among the
Local 371 titles DCAS wants to reclassify to non-
competitive status – those filled by managerial
prerogative – are Child Protective Specialist
and CPS Supervisor, Fraud Investigator and
Associate Fraud Investigator, the Community
Liaison title series, and Counselor (Addiction
Treatment). The DCAS plan, which must be
approved by the Commission, is a response to a
State Court of Appeals ruling, now called “The
Long Beach Decision,” that affirms that provi-
sionals cannot serve more than nine months.
The hearing generated a series of questions
which must be addressed by DCAS before the
commission will agree to accept the proposal,
thus stopping the 120-day clock that started
when the plan was submitted on March 28.
The meeting in Albany was the first opportuni-
ty that the Union and DCAS had to appear before
the commission. Moore’s testimony came shortly
after writing a letter on May 27 to Nancy G.
History in the Making
Barack Obama Wins Democratic
Presidential Primary
B
y choosing
Senator
Barack
Obama as
their presidential can-
didate, Democratic
Party voters have sent
a clear, powerful mes-
sage to the rest of the
world: We want real
change now!
Obama, the son of a
black Kenyan father
and a white Kansan mother, broke racial barriers
and made history on June 3 when he gained
enough delegates to be formally nominated at the
Democratic Party’s convention in August. In
reaching that plateau he fulfilled a dream of those
who struggled with the murder of Emmet Till,
who effected the Brown v. Board of Education
Supreme Court decision, who fought the school
integration battles in Little Rock, Arkansas and
Groenwegen, president of the Commission, in
which she stated the following: “The plan submit-
ted by DCAS on March 28, 2008, is not consistent
with the Section 65 amendments (to the New York
State Civil Service Law, ed.) and defies the below
cited Constitutional, Statutory and Case Law by
eliminating testing to determine merit and fitness
and reclassifying over 20,000 competitive posi-
tions to non-competitive titles.” In her letter,
Moore requested public hearings “regarding the
necessity for a plan that would irreparably harm
the New York City Civil Service System.”
In detailing the Union’s objection to the reclas-
sification of the Child Protective Specialist title,
Moore stated, “ In the case of the Child Protec-
tive Specialist, there are over 1,100 provisionals.
However, this is not the result of an inability to
test. There are currently two established lists in
existence, and an exam is scheduled for Satur-
day, June 14, 2008. The title, which exists only in
the Administration for Children’s Services, has
always had an attrition/retention problem that is
more a result of the difficulty of the job and the
hostile work environment. Moving this title to
the non-competitive class will do nothing to
address either of these problems.”
Moore also opposed the broadbanding compo-
nent of the plan: “Where titles are subject to ‘level
elsewhere, who partici-
pated in the sit-ins in
Greensboro, North Car-
olina and Cambridge,
Maryland, who joined
Martin Luther King Jr.’s
March on Washington,
and who celebrated the
Photo by Charles Brown
passage of the Voting
Rights Act.
“Barack Obama’s vic-
tory in the Democratic
Primary goes a long
way toward validating the promise that genera-
tions of African Americans made to themselves
and to their children,” said President Faye
Moore. “No matter who you supported in the
primary, you have to recognize the significance
of this historic event. Now, we must unite and
work hard to complete that promise and change
the wrongheaded course this country has taken
over the last eight years.”
Volume 38
Number 6
June 2008
promotions’ qualified candidates can languish
for years in the first level of their title with no
opportunity for upward mobility without stren-
uous intervention and negotiation by the Union.”
She concluded her testimony by stating, “The
DCAS plan as submitted, will weaken and ulti-
mately destroy the Civil Service merit and fitness
system. Other than the commitment to additional
resources for testing, the plan relies on a system
of discretionary appointments that eliminates the
level playing field. A workforce predominately
comprised of non-competitive employees lends
itself to a system of patronage and corruption
that will take us back to the days of Tammany
Hall. I ask that the State Civil Service Commis-
sion request that DCAS revise its current plan or
reject it for the reasons stated today.”
District Council 37’s Director of Negotiations
Dennis Sullivan testified and voiced the Coun-
cil’s opposition to the plan. A number of other
union leaders denounced the plan. DCAS Com-
missioner Martha K. Hirst also testified at the
hearing. Commission President Groenwegen
stated that no decisions on the plan would be
made without further investigation.
In a related event, Moore testified at a hearing
of the City Council’s Civil Service Committee on
June 11, where she spoke against the DCAS plan.
what’s
INSIDE
President’s Message
In her first message to the membership, newly
elected Local 371 President Faye Moore pledges
to follow in the great traditions of this Union and
its leaders. (See message on page 2.)
Union, City Meet on
ACS Layoffs
Local 371 officers and staff met with City offi-
cials June 9 to discuss layoffs in the Administration
for Childrens Services. (See story on page 3.)
Celebrate Caribbean Heritage
Celebrate Caribbean Heritage with the Union
on Friday evening June 20 at District Council 37.
The Keynote Speaker will be Roger Toussaint, the
dynamic president of Transport Workers Union
Local 100. (See story on page 3.)
Jewish Heritage Celebrated
Union members and their families came out in
force for DC 37’s 14th Annual Jewish Heritage
Celebration on June 5. (Story and photos on page 7.)
The Unionist

President’s Message

t f o r O u r
I Wi l l F i g h
M e m b e r s
k you
1 is a g re at h onor, and I than
resident of Lo
cal 37 traditions

B
eing elected p p le d g e to fo ll ow in the great
I -
ur trust in me. ect for our mem
for placing yo s, the trad itio n s o f re sp
il ser-
and its leader nity of the civ
of this Union respec t fo r th e d ig
President Faye Moore
ork they do, a orkers everyw
here.
bers and the w e ri g h ts o f w
defending th
sy st em , an d a militancy in p resident. He le
d this
vice w as a g re at
follow. He to serve as
le s E n sl ey is a tough act to y ea rs , an d I was fortunate
Char sibly for 26 at deal
sly and respon I learned a gre

“I pledge to
n co u ra g eo u f th o se y ea rs .
unio ces for 14 o her advance
is V ic e P re si d ent of Grievan u se th at k n o wledge to furt
h y best to
and I will do m valiantly foug
ht for.
from Charles,
the cause of tr
ade unionis m th at h e so
itia lly, we must impre
ss upon the follow in the
of u s. In r grow-
lenges ahead addresses thei
We hav e
,
g
th
re
e
at
C
ch
it
al
y, that our mem
bers need a co
n
n tr
e,
ac
an
t
d
th at
health care co
sts. Our great traditions
lo y er as o li
Emp , housing, g d to their
ing st ru g g le to p ay rising food
all City worker
s, are hurt in g . A tt en ti o n must be pai
is city and
of this Union
ackbone of th
members, like ers hav e b ee n th e b
needs and to th
e fact that work
w it h re spect and dig
nity.
e Ser-
and its leaders,
deserve to be
tr ea te d
id e Administrativ

In oth er p re ss in g business, the D

epartment
n
o
u
f
m
C
b
it
er
y w
o f p rovisional wo
rkers that, the traditions
to reduce the stem and destr
oy the
p with a plan
vices h as co m
te
e
d
u
, w o u ld water down th
e ci v il se rv
th
ic
e
e
ri
sy
g h ts o f workers in this
City of respect for
if implemen protected it on
fitness that has ghting against
principle o f m
ea
er
rs .
it
W
an
e
d
vigorously op
pose this p la n an d ar e fi
our members
for man y y
fronts. “
the le g al , le g is la tive, and other
its member s is th e si tu at ion in the Adm
fight
inis-
and the work
at to the Union and u in g its aggressive
Ano
trat io n
th
fo
er
r
th
C
re
h il d ren’s Services
. The Union
C h
is
il d
co
re
n
n
ti n
(I O C) initiative, a
plan that
gen-
they do.
s Im p ro v ed Outcomes for o f th e O ffic e of Contract A
against AC S’ e elimination ion of
e co n trac ting-out and th d es ig n se ek s the eliminat
calls for th ly conceived re s we battle
e M an ag em ent. This bad o rs , m an y w ith MSW’s. A
cy Cas s and Supervis yoff of 93 work
ers, the
0 C h ild W el fare Specialist n o u n ce d th e la lan
40
es e m em b ers, ACS has an e C ar e Sp ec ia list title. We p
to protect th e Congregat ly pos-
v et er an ci v il servants in th tu at io n s: ev er ything human
majority e kinds of si
w h at w e alw ays do in thes
to do
our members. , but it will
sible to protect h av e ch an g ed leadership
is Union may e strength
n , le t m e pledge that th o f o u r m em bers with all th
A g ai t for the righ ts ild this
t ch an g e it s resolve to figh h er , w e ca n continue to bu
n o g et u to
,0 00 m em b er s behind us. To al l w o rk u n der. I invite yo
of our 18 ditions we the entire
n io n an d im prove the con k y o u fo r y o ur support of
u
mighty and again than
m e in th is n oble struggle
join
Moore Team. —Faye Moore

2

Union, City Meet on ACS Layoffs
L ocal 371 officers and staff met with City officials
June 9 to discuss layoffs in the Administration
for Childrens Services. ACS announced that at-
risk letters were scheduled to be mailed that day to
93 workers, and that July 18 is the last scheduled
day of employment.
The affected titles include Congregate Care Spe-
cialist (75), Homemaker (17), and Supervising
Home Economist (1). The layoffs will effectively
eliminate the use of these titles in ACS.
The layoffs come amidst an escalating attack on
social services in New York City. Earlier this year,
Mayor Bloomberg ordered City agencies to cut
their budgets by five percent. “For economic rea-
sons and business necessity, we have determined
that these positions are not sustainable on the ACS
budget,” said ACS general counsel Joe Cardieri.
President Faye Moore maintains that this is not a
responsible move for the City to make. “Oftentimes
in a brutal economy, the number of children com-
ing into care increases… the City will be ill pre-
pared to handle this because it doesn't have the
staff to care for these children.” Moore highlighted
Celebrate Caribbean Heritage June 20
C
elebrate
Caribbean
Heritage with
the Union on Friday
evening June 20 at
District Council 37.
The Keynote
Speaker will be
Roger Toussaint, the
dynamic president
of Transport
Workers Union
Local 100. The featured musical Keynote speaker
guest star will be Sugar Aloes. Roger Toussaint.
Other musical entertainers
scheduled to appear are the St. Matthews
Harmony Steel Orchestra and Tiga and his band
Tchaka. The evening’s festivities begin at 5:30
p.m. with a meal of Caribbean food, and extend
Official 15-Day Election Notice
Official 15-day notice is hereby given for the nomina-
tion and election of ten (10) delegates and twenty (20)
alternate delegates for the Civilians in Law Enforcement
Chapter delegation on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 from
6:30p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Union Office, 817
Broadway, Manhattan, 15th Floor.
Housing Authority Update
At a recent City Council hearing, New York City Housing
Authority Chairman Tino Hernandez told the City Council
that if NYCHA did not receive adequate funding in the city
budget, he will be forced to close NYCHA’s Community
Centers and Senior Centers. NYCHA has not informed the
Union of further layoffs as they are required to do. The
Union is monitoring the situation and will meet with
NYCHA to address this issue. The Unionist will report on
further developments.
June 2008
the City's inconsistency in eliminating one title for
“economic necessity,” yet continuing to hire new
workers in other titles.
The Union demanded that the City find new
positions for the 93 displaced workers. “For work-
June
ALUMNI MEETING, Union Office, 817 Broadway,
17 12th Floor, 2-4 p.m.
ers and for the Union, layoffs are always the worst HPD AND SMALLER AGENCIES CHAPTER MEET-
thing that could happen,” said Anthony Wells, VP ING, Union Office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, 6:30 p.m.
of Negotiations. “We need to find opportunities DELEGATE ASSEMBLY MEETING, School of the
for each of these workers to land somewhere,
18 Future, 127 East 22nd Street, 6:30 p.m.
even if it's in titles not represented by this Union,” LATINO HERITAGE COMMITTEE MEETING,
he added. The City is exploring new positions for
19 Union Office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, 6:30 p.m.
displaced workers, including jobs in the Depart- CARIBBEAN HERITAGE CELEBRATION, DC 37,
ment of Juvenile Justice. The City has raised the
20 125 Barclay, 5:30 p.m.
possibility of filling 26 positions at the Children's APS MEETING Union Office, 817 Broadway,
Center and employing displaced Congregate Care
23 12th Floor, 6:30 p.m.
Specialists in these positions as Children's Coun- HHC CHAPTER MEETING, Union Office,
selors. The Department of Citywide Administra-
24 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, 6:30 p.m.
tive Services (DCAS) has created a questionnaire POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING,
to determine whether displaced workers meet the 25 Union Office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, 6:30 p.m.
qualifications for positions in the Department of
Juvenile Justice.
A follow-up meeting will be held, and The July
Unionist will report on developments as they arise.
COMMITTEE MEETING, Union Office,
2 EXECUTIVE
817 Broadway, 12th Floor, 6:30 p.m.
4 INDEPENDENCE DAY [An Official City Holiday]
WOMEN’S COMMITTEE MEETING, Union Office,
9 817
Broadway, 12th Floor, 6:30 p.m.
until midnight. There will also be vendors, art
ALUMNI MEETING, Union Office, 817 Broadway,
exhibits and music provided by DJ Denise Jones. 15 12th Floor, 2-4 p.m.
The theme of the celebration is “Proud Caribbean
ASSEMBLY MEETING, School of the
roots strengthened through our struggles, victories 16 DELEGATE
Future, 127 East 22nd Street, 6:30 p.m.
and economic contributions.” Lloyd Permaul,
HERITAGE MEETING, Union Office,
Local 371’s vice president of grievances, is coordi- 17 LATINO
817 Broadway, 12th Floor, 6:30 p.m.
nating the event and will MC it. “Everyone who
has attended prior Caribbean Heritage Celebrations 23 POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING,
Union Office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, 6:30 p.m.
knows what a great time we have,” said Permaul.
“I hope everyone will come and celebrate with us.”
Roger Toussaint was born in Trinidad and Toba-
go and emigrated to the U.S. when he was 18. He the
was elected president of TWU 100 as a reform can-
didate in 2000 and led its militant strike in late 2005
Published monthly except for a combined issue in July/August by
and early 2006 for higher wages and pensions and
the Social Service Employees Union Local 371, District Council 37,
for improved working conditions. He was subse- AFSCME, AFL-CIO. Subscription Price $2.00 annually. Periodical
quently jailed for violating the anti-strike clause of postage paid at New York, N.Y.
POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: The Unionist, SSEU
the repressive Taylor Law, and his union was fined
Local 371, 817 Broadway, New York, New York 10003.
$2.5 million. His activism and aggressive leader- USPS# 348990 (212) 677-3900
ship style continues to invite controversy. President
Faye Moore
Sugar Aloes aka Michael Anthony Osuana is a
prominent Calypso singer with such hits as “Party
Executive Vice President
Yolanda Pumarejo
Time” and parang favorite “Juanita.” Aloes has Secretary-Treasurer
Joe Nazario
amassed a fan base of at least three generations of V.P. Negotiations & Research
Trinidadians and calypso lovers region-wide. Anthony Wells
Sugar Aloes is also famous for his songs “I Love V.P. Organization & Education
Beverly Mallory-Brown
Being Me” and “Signs of the End of Time.” On Sun- V.P. Grievances & Legal Services
Lloyd Permaul
day February 3, 2008 Sugar Aloes was crowned the
winner of the Calypso Monarch 2008 Competition V.P. Legislation and Political Action
Michelle Akyempong
at Queens Park Oval in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. V.P. Publicity & Community Relations
Michelle Conklin
Trustees
Michael Ballesteros
Appreciates Retiree Coverage Yolanda DeJesus
Melva Scarborough
Editor
To The Editor, Martin Fishgold
Thanks for keeping the Retirees informed of current “371” Director of Communications
Linda Schleicher
happenings such as Charles Ensley's retirement, Bob Thornhill's Photographer
Charles Brown
death, Arnie Goldwag's retirement and Judy Mage and Marty Metro NY
Editorial Associate Labor
Morgenstern. I also have memories of the “1965 Strike.” Sarah Ihmoud Communications
Keep it up!
Council
Jacquelyn J. Johnson, Retired Home Economist Visit us on the Web at www.sseu371.org
3
The Unionist
Bargaining for New Contract
Advances Slowly
D istrict Council 37 and the City got a lit-
tle closer to a contract agreement when
bargaining got back on track June 3 at
District Council 37 after being stalled for over
“It’s time for the City to stop dragging its
feet on this contract...This is an exceptional
time and our members are hurting”
–Faye Moore
three months. The last session was held on
February 26, less than a week before the pre-
vious contract expired on March 2.
At the June 3 session, attended by DC 37
officers and staff, Local presidents and City
representatives, both parties modified their
monetary positions. The City continued to
seek a two-year contract while the Union
maintained its demand for a three-year pact.
In addition, the union is seeking a reduction in
New VP Seeks to Give Members Power and a Voice
M ichelle Akyempong is the newly elected
Vice President of Legislation and
Political Action. A Union activist and
member for 23 years, she was drawn to the posi-
tion because of her passion for political organiz-
ing. In her first month in office, Akyempong has
already set important priorities for the union’s
Political Action Committee (PAC). From opposing
DCAS to recent layoffs in housing, she is making
“Members need to understand the
political process because that gives
them power and a voice both at
home and in the workplace.”
–Michelle Akyempong
noise that she hopes will gain attention from local
and state politicians. “We want them to know that
we exist; we’re a labor movement and we’re not
going anywhere.”
Recent predecessors in the position include
Wana Ulysse and Diane Savino, now a New York
State Senator. Akyempong wants to build on the
Union’s rich history of political activism by
strengthening members’ political engagement in
the Union and in their communities. “Our mem-
bers need to become active in their respective
4
President Faye Moore speaks at contract bargaining session
on June 3. Negotiations VP Anthony Wells looks on.
the lower hiring rate from two years to one
year, additional compensation to address the
specific needs of each unit, and an increase in
community organizations—com-
munity boards, tenant and home-
owners associations, civic associa-
tions and county committees.
These organizations are sounding
boards for them, and avenues to
reach elected officials. Members
need to understand the political
process because that gives them
power and a voice both at home
and in the workplace.”
This year, Akyempong also hopes
to get members’ children involved.
“We need our youth to learn about
politics at an early age, and we need
to equip them with the tools to
understand the political arena.” This Michelle Akyempong, Vice President of Legislation and Political Action
involvement may include a PAC
sponsored youth trip to Albany where
they can learn how bills are initiated, what it takes
for legislation to pass, and where they can observe
a live session. According to Akyempong, young
people can impact their parents’ political involve-
ment. “If we get the youth excited about politics,
they can usually get their parents excited about the members and we will have to find another [larger]
political process. And this can affect voting habits.
I want our members to be excited and have a posi-
tive political attitude about the labor movement.”
In the coming months, Akyempong plans on
reaching out to people more, and encouraging
members to join the union’s Political Action Com-
the welfare fund contribution rate. DC 37’s
Chief Negotiator Dennis Sullivan commented
that the union demands were modest and stat-
ed, “ We appreciate the movement on the
City’s part. While we may be moving in the
right direction, we’re moving extremely slow.”
Negotiations for this contract opened in
October 2007 with both sides expressing opti-
mism that an early settlement could be
reached that would be in line with agree-
ments reached in this round by the City with
the uniformed unions and the United Federa-
Photo by Charles Brown
tion of Teachers.
President Faye Moore, who represented
Local 371 at the bargaining table, stated: “It’s
time for the City to stop dragging its feet on
this contract. We need a new contract now
with significant wage increases and benefit
improvements. This is an exceptional time,
and our members are hurting. Their living
costs continue to rise at record rates. This
contract must address these dire economic
realities.”
Photo by Charles Brown
mittee. “This year and next year are important
political years,” she says. Akyempong hopes to
continue to build the committee’s membership
each month. Her vision is to have a committee so
large that “the 12th floor will be overflowing with
meeting space!”
The Political Action Committee (PAC) meets on
the fourth Wednesday of every month at Union
Headquarters at 6:30 p.m.
—Sarah Ihmoud

S teven Greenhouse, labor and workplace
correspondent for the New York Times,
recently published a book, “The Big
Squeeze: Tough Times For the American
Worker.” The book takes an in-depth look at the
struggles of individual workers, illustrating an
alarming theme: something is going terribly wrong
for the American worker.
The stories in “The Big Squeeze,” gathered from
over a dozen years writing for The New York
Times, are about “real people with real flesh and
blood problems.” Greenhouse tells heart-wrenching
stories about what is happening to workers across
the nation.
He writes, “In recent years, a disconcerting dis-
connect has emerged, with corporate profits soar-
ing while workers’ wages stagnated.” Greenhouse
argues that this is very much an American phe-
nomenon, as “the typical American worker toils
1,804 hours a year, 135 hours more per year than
the typical British worker, 240 hours more than the
average French worker, and 370 hours (or nine
full-time weeks) more than the average German
worker.” The number of Americans living in
poverty rose 15% from 31.1 million in 2000 to 36.5
million in 2006. Simultaneously, corporations are
reducing their benefit packages by cutting health
care and pensions. They are also moving thou-
sands of manufacturing jobs overseas, leaving
Americans across the country out of work and
with very few options.
Greenhouse tells the story of Aaron Kemp, a
father of three, who worked at a Maytag factory in
Galesburg, Illinois. After Kemp had worked
almost six years at the plant, Maytag announced it
was closing Galesburg and moving to Reynosa,
Mexico. In Mexico, Maytag could get away with
paying its employees a paltry $2 an hour, as
opposed to the average pay of $15.14 for a worker
in Galesburg. Maytag’s decision to close the Gales-
burg plant devastated not only Kemp and his
American Workers Are
Getting Squeezed
A Review of New York Times Labor
Reporter Steve Greenhouse’s New Book
young family, but many other families in the small
Illinois town. The plant now sits empty, weeds
creeping up around it.
As a result of companies like Maytag moving to
countries where labor is cheaper and less likely to
be unionized, the United States has lost 3.5 million
factory jobs since 2000. These used to be good jobs
that allowed workers to enjoy a middle class
lifestyle, but now they are quickly disappearing
overseas and being replaced by low-paying service
sector jobs that leave millions of Americans living
paycheck to paycheck without healthcare or a
retirement plan.
Horror Stories at Work
Other stories that Greenhouse highlights are
even more disturbing. He recounts the tales of
employees locked in the workplace at night, being
sexually assaulted by managers, and being seri-
ously injured without compensation. One story
that Greenhouse found particularly striking is the
story of Kathy Saumier, a resident of Syracuse,
New York.
Kathy began working at Landis Plastics after
leaving her minimum wage custodial position at a
newspaper. Unfortunately for Kathy and her co-
workers, Landis turned out to be a horrendous
place to work. Kathy watched in horror as her co-
workers lost fingers to rapidly moving machines.
Despite an amputation rate nearly one hundred
times the rate of other plastics factories in New
York, the company did nothing to improve its safe-
ty standards. In addition to the amputations, gen-
der discrimination and sexual harassment were also
common problems at Landis.
Disgusted by what she saw, Kathy became a
leader in the effort to unionize the plant. In addi-
tion to harassment from anti-union co-workers,
Landis retaliated against Kathy’s unionization
efforts by isolating her in the factory and eventual-
ly firing her. Kathy did successfully fight to get her
June 2008
by Katie Lawson
job back, but was forced to leave after sustaining
injuries at work. Since then, the Steelworkers have
abandoned their efforts to unionize the plant.
Union Power Loss
Being a union member used to be a way for
workers to earn higher wages and respect from the
employer. Unfortunately, unions no longer have the
high numbers and power they once boasted. As in
the case of Kathy and her co-workers at Landis,
unions are also failing to organize more workers.
“It’s hard to overstate how much America’s labor
unions have declined in power, in prestige, and in
the public’s consciousness,” Greenhouse writes. In
order to “induce employers to ease the squeeze on
American workers,” the labor movement desper-
ately needs to be revitalized.
“Too often, companies don’t treat their workers
with enough respect,” Greenhouse writes. Howev-
er, there are exceptions, and Greenhouse is quick to
point them out in his book. Costco, Timberland,
Kaiser Permanente, SAS Institute, Patagonia, and
Cooperative Home Care Associates out of the
Bronx are all exemplary employers. He also writes
about the Culinary Workers Local 226 in Las Vegas,
which has done a tremendous job negotiating con-
tracts for its members who work at the Bellagio,
MGM Grand, the Paris, and other hotels along the
Vegas strip. These examples prove that “taking the
high road” can be beneficial for both employers
and workers.
“I hope that readers, the public, and politicians
see that in many ways the nation’s workers are not
getting a fair deal,” Greenhouse concludes. With
this book, he hopes to show that individuals like
Aaron and Kathy are not alone. Workers are being
abused and intimidated all too frequently, and
Greenhouse says that “people should really be con-
cerned about it.” His book definitely helps raise
awareness of what is happening to the American
worker, and it is well worth reading.
5
The Unionist

Hundreds Honor Charles

Ensley at Retirement Party

O ver 650 former and current Local 371

members, family members, union and
city officials, legislators and others
turned out on May 20 to honor former Local 371
President Charles Ensley at his retirement party at
Battery Gardens in lower Manhattan.
Among the many dignitaries in attendance were
State Senator Diane Savino, a former Local 371
vice president; Malcolm Smith, NYS Senate Minor-
ity Leader; City Councilmembers Al Vann, Bill
DiBlasio, Helen Foster, and her father, former
Councilman Wendell Foster; Former Congressman
Major Owens; DC 37 Local Presidents Ed Hysyk,
Mark Rosenthal, Leonard Allen, Eddie Rodriguez,
Alex Parker, Carolyn Harper, and Carol Thomas;
Stu Leibowitz, president of the DC 37 Retirees
Association; City Labor Commissioner James
Hanley; and Robert Doar, Commissioner State Senator Diane Savino, a former
of HRA, who spoke. vice president of Local 371, and Senate
The program was MC’d by Vice President of Minority Leader Malcolm Smith showed
Negotiations Anthony Wells, and speakers up to honor Ensley.
included Suella Gallup, a former BCW Chapter
Chair and co-worker of Ensley’s, Savino, Bradley
Funnye, Ensley’s nephew, and Faye Moore,Presi-
dent of Local 371. Attending the party were Local
371 President Faye Moore
Ensley spoke last and emphasized the impor-
(center) with former Union staff
tance of the Union over any one individual. He
member Terry Joseph (right) and
said he set out 26 years ago to make Local 371 a Union member Denise Jones.
force to be respected and reckoned with on the city
scene, and during that time Local 371 doubled its
membership and played an important role in city
life. He thanked many individuals and said he felt Charles Ensley and former
confident that he was leaving the Union in compe- Union Activist Bill Davis (right)
tent hands. Ensley also thanked the members of reminisce with Dan Persons,
the committee that coordinated the event. Executive Assistant, Local 1549.

Charles Ensley beams as he is congratu-

lated by his nephew, Bradley Funnye.

Photos by Charles Brown Music was provided by Jazzberry Jam.

6

U nion members and their families came out
in force for DC 37’s 14th Annual Jewish
Heritage Celebration on June 5 at DC 37
Headquarters in Manhattan. A small group of
Palestinian supporters gathered outside the
Council to protest the theme of the event,
“Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Israel.”
The evening’s program started with an invoca-
tion by Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass, Local 299, Senior
Jewish Chaplain, New York City Police Depart-
ment, and greetings by Master of Ceremonies,
Dr. Leonard Davidman, Chair of the DC 37
Jewish Heritage Committee and President of Psy-
chologists Local 1189. Magda Fishman, world-
renowned Israeli artist, sang HaTikvah (‘The
Hope’), Israel’s National Anthem, followed by the
Star Spangled Banner.
After welcoming remarks by DC 37 Associate
Director Oliver Gray, Larry Glickson, Local 371 staff
and president of the Jewish Employees Association,
made a special presentation to the family of Union
member Richard Gross, whose father, Eugene
Gross, survived a grueling experience in a Nazi
work camp.
Glickson intro-
duced Maria Gross,
wife of Eugene,
who told the
poignant story of
her husband, who
was pressed into
service as one
of 1500 Jews
assigned to build
the railroads that
Keynote Speaker
Detective Mordecai
(Morty) Dzikhansky.
President Faye Moore with Union Activist Richard Gross and his mother, Maria Gross.
They hold special awards presented by the Union in honor of husband and father
Eugene Gross who survived a grueling experience in a Nazi work camp.
carried others to concentration camps.
She described him as a man of extreme strength
and courage, who was one of two people who sur-
vived a 6,000-mile trek, going without shoes or
food, sometimes eating grass to survive. He
walked across six countries, from Russia to Dachau,
Germany. He was finally able to come to the United
States, where he worked 18-hour days and raised
three children. He died just short of his 86th birth-
day. Local 371 President Faye Moore presented the
award to Mrs. Gross and praised her husband, stat-
ing, “The fruit of his sacrifice is your son, Richard
Gross, a great activist.” Richard Gross is a Union
Delegate and Executive Committee Member with
Local 371. He works in the Department of Correc-
tions as an Assistant Pro-
gram Specialist and is a
member of the Jewish
Heritage Committee,
among others.
Detective Mordecai
(Morty) Dzikhansky
then spoke, describing
Magda Fishman belts out a
song as Avram Pengas and his
band accompany her.
June 2008
his career as a New York City Detective assigned to
be Liaison to the State of Israel as part of a counter-
terrorism program. While on assignment in Israel,
he attended 25 suicide-bombing scenes, and estab-
lished a relationship between Israeli and U.S. bomb
squads.
Detective Dzikhansky gained a deeper apprecia-
tion for the Union while on assignment in Israel,
describing how the Israeli Police gained pay parity
with the army, but lost union representation in the
process. “Thank God for the PBA and DEA unions
that represented me,” he said.
Magda Fishman and Avram Pengas and band
provided outstanding musical entertainment,
from traditional klezmer music to big-band swing.
The music inspired sponta-
neous dancing and hand clap-
ping, with many celebrants
joining hands to dance around
the room.
—Michelle Conklin
Master of Ceremonies,
Dr. Leonard Davidman.
Photos by Charles Brown
7
The Unionist

Report Says Women Vastly

Local 371
Underrepresented in Union Leadership

Congratulations
Congratulations are extended to Chuck Waxman on his retire-
ment from HRA. A retirement party will be held in his honor on
W omen are vastly underrepresented in
union leadership positions across the
country, according to a new report by the
Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR). “In
no case does the proportion of women in leader-
IWPR’s research also concludes that when
women lead organizing drives, unions win. Citing
research by Cornell University labor professor Kate
Bronfenbrenner, IWPR points out that “Women
lead organizers have higher success rates winning
Thursday, June 26 at “The Ketch”, 181 Pearl Street, New York, ship equal the proportion in membership,” the certification elections than men do. Women of
NY. For tickets, call Loretta at 212-273-0079 or Leslie at 212- report states. In an analysis of local leadership, color have the highest win rates of all. Finally,
273-0086. AFSCME comes closest to having leadership posi- promoting women’s leadership in unions can lead
Congratulations are extended to Susie Randolph, Fraud tions proportionate to membership representation; to their visible leadership in other areas of public
AFSCME’s local leadership is 38% female, but 52% life, including politics, both by encouraging them
Investigator II, BEV, 250 Livingston Street, on the birth of her
of its members are women. to expand their personal expectations and goals
baby boy, Kevin Anthony Randolph. Kevin was born on May 31. The report explores various reasons why women and by modeling women’s leadership.”
Congratulations may be sent to Susie and Jon Randolph, 250 are an important part of
Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 c/o Nancy Sibily. the labor movement, and
Note: Our office recently underwent phone service changes, what they can bring to
union leadership posi-
and in the process, messages to the publicity section were acci-
tions. According to IWPR,
dentally deleted. If you called in a personals ad, condolence or unionized women con-
congratulations notice, and were not contacted by a representa- tribute to stronger families
tive of the publicity section, please call 212-677-3900 x3011 and communities. “Union-
and your information will be featured in next month’s issue of ized women earn 30%
The Unionist. more than non-unionized
women, and union work-
ers have more paid leave
and are more likely to
Get Well have health insurance. As
more and more women
Get well wishes are extended to Raymond Smith, Fraud
work, their wages, bene-
Investigator II, 250 Livingston Street on behalf of his coworkers. fits, and job characteristics
Get well cards may be sent to Raymond Smith at 250 Livingston have far-reaching impact
Street, 7th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201. on their families and com-
munities.”

Condolences
Condolences are extended to Alvaro Blake,
Delegate and Supervisor, ODVEIS HRA, on the
death of his mother, Norma Blake Green. She
passed away on May 25, 2008. Condolences
may be sent to Alvaro Blake, 3 West 108th
Street, New York, New York 10013.
Condolences are extended to the family and
friends of Nancy Spector, Program Supervisor for
the Utility Assistance Program. She passed away
on May 18. Nancy worked with UAP since 1999
and previously was with FIA/Office of Procedures.
Donations and contributions on her behalf may be
sent to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box
22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.
Condolences are extended to Ebenezer
Aryeetey, Brooklyn APS, on the death of his
brothers John Aryeetey and Alphonso Aryeetey in
Ghana, West Africa. John Aryeetey passed away
on April 3rd, and Alphonso Aryeetey passed away
on April 20th. Condolences may be sent to
Ebenezer Aryeetey, 107-12 154th Street,
Jamaica, NY 11433-1920.
Condolences are extended to Daniel Nwalor,
Brooklyn APS Supervisor I, on the death of his
mother Cecilia Nwakaego. Cecilia Nwakaego
passed away on May 14 and was 81 years old.
Condolences may be sent to Daniel Nwalor at
1444 Park P66 #B4 Brooklyn, NY 11213.
Condolences are extended to Lynn Hardy,
Brooklyn APS Supervisor I, on the death of her
mother Rebecca Hardy. Rebecca Hardy passed
away on May 15. Condolences may be sent to
Lynn Hardy & Family, 1305 Delmar Loop #6F,
Brooklyn, NY 11239 or Lynn Hardy & Family, 81
Young Drive, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870.
Condolences are extended to Charles Ensley,
former President of SSEU Local 371, on the death
of his brother, John Ensley, Jr. John Ensley was a
former Sup III for Child Welfare. He was born in
Birmingham, Alabama and received his Master’s
Degree in Social Work from Syracuse University.
He was active in the Union’s historic month-long
1965 welfare strike that led to collective bargain-
ing rights in New York for city workers. John
Ensley passed away on May 28 at the age of 70.
Condolences may be sent to Charles Ensley in
care of the Union Office, 817 Broadway, New
York, NY 10001.
Condolences are extended to the family and
friends of Abiodun (Abby) Ojo-Nnorom. Abiodun
Ojo-Nnorom was a Sup I at 350 St. Marks Place,
Staten Island. She passed away on June 1.
Condolences may be sent to her mother, Eunice
Aigbotoso at 141 Park Hill Avenue, Apt 5B,
Staten Island, NY 10304 or her husband,
Nnamdi Nnorom at 3134 Richmond Terrace,
Staten Island, NY 10303.
Condolences are extended to Ike Ekweonu, ACS
Liason for Manhattan Family Court, 60 Lafayette
Street, on the death of his grandson, Oluchi Tito
Ekweonu Nettles. He passed away on June 4, and
was only one month old. Condolences may be sent
to Ike Ekweonu and Family at 1341 North Avenue,
Apartment 5K, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07208.

Swap, Buy & Sell

FOR SALE—MOTORCYCLE. ’05 YAMAHA V-
Star Silverado Cruiser, red & black, like
new, 5,200 miles. $5,900. Call 631-943-
6202 before 8 a.m. or after 3 p.m. (5)
WANTED—Top cash for your old jazz, soul, R
& B and gospel albums. Call Howard at
212-873-4016. (1)
SWAP—AJOS I, Center 18, 132 W. 125th
Street, would like to swap with AJOS I at
any Brooklyn center location. Call
Oluremilekun Kelani at 917-294-7828. (6)
SWAP—Associate Fraud Investigator, BFI,
Food Stamps, 250 Church Street,
Manhattan, would like to swap with
Associate Fraud Investigator, BEV, 1775
Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York.
Call Hayden O’Brien at 212-274-6571.
(3)
SWAP—HCI worker located at Coney Island
Inpatient Accounts would like to swap with
any HCI from Kings County or Woodhull.
Contact Emilca at 718-616-4093. (3)
SWAP— CPS at 2501 Grand Concourse,
Bronx, would like to swap with CPS in
Manhattan or Brooklyn. If interested, call
Monique at 718-933-4042 or 646-584-
5568. (3)
SWAP—CWS in ACS Children’s Center, 492
First Ave, Manhattan, would like to swap
with CWS in the Bronx or Northern
Manhattan. If interested, call 646-935-
1680. (3)
FOR SALE—Kenmore heavy duty 90 series
washing machine, lady’s size small dark
brown borghese fake fur jacket—very
good condition, gift items, clown collec-
tion, tie rack, never used cordless tele-
phone with clock radio, large ceiling fix-
ture, lots more. Call 718-430-1769 and
leave a message. (6)
FOR SALE—1998 Honda Civic Lx 4dr Sedan,
Green, 72,000 miles, $4250. Call Patricia
at 347-834-7481. (6)
CLASSIFIED ADS are free to Union mem-
bers and agency shop fee payers in writ-
ing only (typewritten if possible) to THE
UNIONIST, 817 Broadway, New York,
N.Y. 10003. Include your work phone and
social security number with ad copy, but
work phone numbers will only be printed
with ‘’swap’’ transfer ads. In no instance
will ads be run longer than three months.
No real estate or business ads accepted.
The Union neither endorses nor is
responsible for these offerings.