Page 6 - Work Force December 2018

Putnam rallies for contract fairness as legislators dish out management raises
CARMEL — It was standing room only in the Putnam County Historic Courthouse during the county’s recent 2019 budget hearing, as
our Putnam County Unit members came together to protest legislators allocating raises for themselves and county management while continuing to push back on a fair contract for our members.
Members from across county departments were fired up about the disrespectful treatment, pointing out that legislators gave themselves whopping 14 percent raises last year and planned a 2 percent raise for management in the proposed 2019 budget.
Before the budget hearing, members rallied outside the building, receiving a chorus of car horns honking in support as motorists passed by during the evening commute.
“We rallied to show we’re
disheartened by how the county disrespects their employees by ignoring their apprehensions,”
said Putnam County Unit President Janet Canaday. “Besides not
having a contract, members have noticed renovations throughout the county that have been done for the public, yet many worksites have repairs needed that have not been addressed even after we’ve notified management.”
Members have been working under an expired contract since Dec. 31, 2015. Unit leaders noted that management has dragged out the negotiations process, cancelling several negotiations sessions and arriving unprepared at others.
At this time of year, county public health workers are visiting schools across the county to offer flu shots, a service few counties offer. The county’s 911 operators already faced a late fall snowstorm that left
Participants in a Putnam County Unit contract rally urge passing motorists to show their support for our union members.
SUNY Downstate workers win back comp time
BROOKLYN — Faith Browne-Walter believed that our union would fight to restore her lost comp time hours.
She was right; Browne-Walter’s employer, SUNY Downstate, recently restored comp time to employees after CSEA stood strong for justice for the workers.
Earlier this year, hundreds of comp time hours vanished for numerous SUNY Downstate employees.
Our union filed a class action grievance to get those hours back.
“I know our union is fighting hard for us,” said Browne-Walter, a nursing assistant at SUNY Downstate. “That shows unity and strength.”
As reported in the November Work Force, SUNY Downstate Local President Althea Green noted that the addition of a new accounting program and the hiring of new human resources staff may have
played a part in the disappearance of these comp hours. Another factor was a little-known 1986 memo that capped comp hours.
Our union fought back and
won the case. A memorandum
was recently circulated to staff instructing them to use their comp time within the fiscal year or the time will be forfeited. The new policy goes into effect in April 2019.
“This win gives you the incentive to speak up,” said Zakiyyah Dupass, a nursing station clerk. “It’s a benefit to have a union. Not having one would be a disaster.”
Green said this is just one more example of why workers need to stick with our union.
“It builds more confidence,” said Green. “I thank CSEA for giving me the strength and encouragement to do this type of work.”
— David Galarza
Faith Browne-Walter, Judith Johnson, SUNY Downstate Local President Althea Green and Zakiyyah Dupass are thankful our union fought for and won back hundreds of comp time hours they had lost.
motorists stranded and resulted in hundreds of car accidents around the region, meaning they fielded nonstop calls for help. Workers in the Department of Social Services continue to face heavy caseloads to ensure the safety of vulnerable children and adults.
CSEA members in Putnam County are in the same position as many of our union members providing public services, grappling with increased workloads as they take on duties of former co-workers whose jobs are not filled after they retire.
— Jessica Ladlee
6 The Work Force
December 2018