Ofcial Publication of Social Service Employees Union Local 371-DC 37 AFSCME, AFL-CIO
www.sseu371.org
Honoring Ensley
THE NEW UNION SCHOLARSHIP FUND STARTS WITH A BANG
CALENDAR
FEBRUARY 2014
19 Delegate Assembly: 6:30 p.m. 235 West 23rd Street, Advance Realty 20 Next Wave: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 25 Shelters Chapter: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 26 Political Action Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor Civilians in Law Enforcement: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor
27 NYCHA Chapter: 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.. Union Ofce, 12th Floor
MARCH 2014
5 Executive Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 11 Latino Heritage Committee: 6:30 pm. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 12 Women's Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 13 Committee of Concerned Social Workers: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 17 Membership Meeting: 6:30 p.m. 235 West 23rd Street, Advance Realty 18 Alumni Association: 2:00 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 19 Delegate Assembly: 6:30 p.m. 235 West 23rd Street, Advance Realty 20 Next Wave: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 26 Political Action Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor Civilians in Law Enforcement: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor
s Mayor Bill de Blasio enters his second month in ofce, it is time to prepare for contract negotiations. The mayor took a positive step when he said that the budget surplus, estimated at $2.5 billion, should be used to negotiate union contracts. He recognizes that the public workforce is suffering as expenses have gone up but our salaries have remained the same. Still, there are those who continue to attack us and our benets. Newspaper editorials advise the mayor to be hard on unions and extract givebacks on health and pension benets. However, we will not let them shape the discussion. We have worked without raises and continue to provide vital services that keep the City running. Through hurricanes, snow storms and everyday challenges, the City workforce has been there. There will be challenges. We cannot just focus on raises, but on a contract that meets our needs in health care and welfare fund benets. And, yes, retroactivity must be a part of the discussion.
Black History
This month we celebrate Black History Month. It is a time to reect, recognize and honor the contributions that Black people have made to this country and civilization. We recognize that Black History is interwoven into American history and the labor movement. It is also a time to recognize that Black culture is as diverse as any culture. We also recognize that this Union embraces all cultures. Diversity is our strength. We struggle together for the common good, for a common goal and on common ground. And the common ground is the Union. We entered the year with a renewed hope, a new mayor who shared many ideals with us. A mayor who wants to end the tale of two cities, of which we live in the other city. At the start, he gave an indication of his direction, when the NYCHA layoffs were stopped. He has not gone after ACS workers, even when the misguided and uninformed sought to blame them in the tragic death of of a child. The attacks on unions remain a threat to our jobs, salaries, benets and pensions throughout this country. We cannot rest on the many successes we have made. We will remain vigilant, organized and prepared to battle anyone, anywhere who seeks to destroy this mighty, mighty Union. Together we move forward. God bless you and God bless the Union. Anthony Wells
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. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: The Unionist, SSEU Local 371, 817 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y. 10003. USPS# 348990 (212) 677-3900 ISSN# 0041-7092 President Anthony Wells Executive Vice President Yolanda Pumarejo Secretary-Treasurer Juan Ortiz V.P. Negotiations & Research Rose Lovaglio-Miller V.P. Organization & Education Armenta Weekes V.P. Grievances & Legal Services Lloyd Permaul V.P. Publicity & Community Relations Patricia Chardavoyne V.P. Legislation & Political Action Michelle Akyempong Trustees Vincent Ciccarello Yolanda DeJesus Melva Scarborough Editor Ari Paul Visit us on the web at www.sseu371.org
temic changes such as law enforcement doing child abuse checks and notifying the agency if someone arrested has an ACS caseThere is also a need to look at stafng and case practices. In the end, this should not be a blame game but an opportunity to strengthen the system and provide protections to prevent the abuse and deaths of children.
I received my MSW in q June 2012 q June 2013 q August 2012 q January 2013 q January 2014
q August 2013
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t wasnt just the fact that 700 people Union members, politicians, retirees and labor leaders were in the audience. It wasnt just that people gave emotional speeches and participated in live and silent auctions. The takeaway from the rst fundraiser for the Charles Ensley Scholarship at Russos on the Bay in Queens Jan. 23 was that our Union is united and dedicated to the mission of honoring its great leader by providing educational opportunities for members and their families. The dinner, attended by nearly 700 people, was meant to honor the heroic legacy of Charles Ensley, who led SSEU Local 371 for two decades and became one of the Citys most militant and charismatic labor leaders, and remains a spiritually guiding presence in the Union today. His memory was honored with speeches by labor activists who worked with him and learned from him.
A Legacy
Ticket sales to the event and the proceeds from the silent and live auctions which featured items from Ensleys vast art and music collections will go into the fund that will create scholarships for members seeking higher degrees in labor studies, policy studies and other related elds. Ensleys vision of the labor movement was unique. He led the Union to ght not just for fair pay and working conditions, but to advocate for civil and human rights outside the worksite. Ensley put his target not just on commissioners and mayors but also on corrupt and complacent labor leaders who werent working on the behalf of members. He put this philosophy to work when he led the charge to reform District Council 37. He believed strongly in
properly honor Charless legacy is to put his name atop of a permanent fund that will allow our members to get educated and become even better warriors for social justice.
A Union United
Wells said, This marks the beginning of a series of events that are going to fuel this scholarship fund but also bring the membership together around our beloved, former leader, Charles Ensley. Ensley became president of SSEU Local 371 in 1982. He died in June 2010 at the age of 69. Wells added, Events like these create a bond between members and the rest of the community, and by honoring Ensley we can appreciate and remember where we came from.
education and self-betterment, Union President Anthony Wells said of Ensley, who he considered his mentor, after the event. It is clear that the way to
The Union is committed not only to Ensley's legacy but to the future of the scholarship fund in hi
The Unionist|February 2014
Clockwise from above: Dancers from P.S. 54, the Conscious Ones, and the members of the Union's Black Heritage Committee.
State Senator Nina Turner (D-Ohio), above, spoke about why the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s matters today. Top right: the Homemakers gathered at this year's event. Bottom right: Union members, active and retired, packed the hall.
Its a MustLiterally
SSEU LOCAL 371 members at HRA should pay close attention to the Social Work Graduate Field Placement Training Program, as it is going to be mandatory for some titles. Dont worry: The Union and the agency are making it easy for members to get their education. The program, which offers nancial assistance to those getting their Masters of Social Work, offers preparatory courses for those seeking their license, which this year is now a requirement to practice social work in the state. The program offers a seminar in eld instruction (SIFI), a requirement for those seeking eld instruction titles. HRA consultant Peter Avitabile, who started the program in 2009, says the big advantage of the program is that members can take courses during their normal work hours, so they dont have to sacrice nights or weekends. This impacts supervisors and eld
February 2014|The Unionist
instructors because they must be licensed and have the certication, he said. This is a new twist. Monique Bryce, a Union member and JOS worker based in the Bronx, is studying at Hunter College through the program, with an additional $500 in support from the Unions Education Fund. The scholarship program is absolutely important, she said. The program will help you excel and get an understanding of the work that has to be done. She added, You never stop learning. The people we work with, we learn from the most. Melissa Roman, an HRA Social Worker who received her MSW from Hunter College in 2012, said that she embarked on the program when she was a Caseworker, knowing that she needed to return to school to advance her career. I would recommend going. Its a great learning experience, she said. The eld
placement was a great learning experience. You were able to incorporate what youre learning with what youre doing in the eld. Avitabile said that the program has already seen 50 people come out with their MSWs, but he emphasized that it will be of great importance to the future of HRA for younger workers to take advantage of this educational avenue. To nd out more about the program, call Peter Avitabile at (929) 221-5582 or email him at avitabilep@hra.nyc.gov.
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Pat Arnow
Condolences
Condolences are extended to Anthony Sweeney, Delegate, Executive Committee member, Chapter Chairperson and Caseworker at Queens CASA, on the death of his brother, Daniel V. Sweeney, who died Feb. 4. Condolences may be sent to Anthony Sweeney, 319 East 24th Street, #23-B, New York, NY 10010. Condolences are extended to Cassandra Young, Delegate and Sup I from HRA/HASA, on the death of her mother, Dorothy J. DeVouse, who died in January. Condolences are extended to Carlos Pages, Delegate and Caseworker from HRA/HASA Waverly Center, on the death of his mother, Serana Pages, who died in January. Condolences may be sent to Carlos Pages, 2705 Schley Avenue, #3H Bronx, NY 10465.
Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY Social Service Employees Union Local 371 817 Broadway New York, N.Y. 10003
He continued, With regard to charge 7 (the rst allegation only), Brother Permaul is found guilty of violating Article X, Section 2 (F). The penalty assessed is a written reprimand and an express order to comply with the policy and not to repeat such violation in the future.
Congratulations
Congratulations to SSEU Local 371 member Virginia Carter on her retirement after 54 years of service with HRA.
Finding Closure
Mr. Permaul was reinstated to his position. The AFSCME decision brings a close to this unfortunate episode in our Unions history, said President Anthony Wells. The integrity of the Union is vital and will always be protected.
BULLETIN BOARD
SWAP- Hospital Care Investigator at 234 East 149th Street in the Bronx would like to swap with a Hospital Care Investigator at Jacobi Hospital. If interested, call (718) 790-0157. SWAP- Community Associate at 25 Chapel Street in Brooklyn would like swap with a Community Associate in Long Island City Queens. If interested, call (718) 777-2195 or (718) 473-8303.
MEMBERS
Ambassadors for the New York City Housing Authority, instilling a healthy sense of pride and accomplishment in each and every one of its members. The event will be held Friday, March 28 at DC 37. All SSEU Local 371 members, family and friends are invited to attend this celebration, which will begin with a free buffet dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please come out and enjoy a fun-lled ceremony.
Delegate Training
The Union is hosting a Delegate Training Saturday, March 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at DC 37, 125 Barclay Street, Manhattan. The training will be focused for Delegates and Alternates with less than ve years experience but all Delegates and Alternates 8 are welcome to attend.