Berry
SEA CLIFF — CSEA SCO Family of Services (SCO) Local President Sirlentor Berry has led the local since he helped to organize workers at the facility just five years ago.
Berry’s high-profile role is why he was the victim of anti-union animus and unceremoniously fired from his job.
The story could have ended there, but Berry used CSEA’s full strength to fight back.
Thanks to our union, he has been restored to his position.
Injustice
Berry first learned that he was being suspended when SCO’s director called him to explain the trumped-up charges.
Knowing he was innocent, Berry began making calls to find out more information, which led him to the state Justice Center, which noted that there was an investigation.
The Justice Center found the allegations against Berry were unsubstantiated.
Continuing its history of anti-union behavior, SCO pushed back against the Justice Center’s findings and proceeded with the unjust firing of Berry.
“I think they fired me because I’m the union president, which put a target on me,” said Berry. “SCO was obviously prolonging the process to give them time to find something they could use against me.”
From left, SCO Family of Services Local President Sirlentor Berry meets with CSEA Long Island Region President Jarvis Brown to discuss the terms of Berry’s return to work.
Union takes action
CSEA Long Island Region President Jarvis Brown, CSEA Labor Relations Specialist Patrick Naglieri and the CSEA Organizing Department were able to step in once the Justice Center finally made a determination.
One of their first actions was a “march on the boss,” which involves union representatives publicly confronting management with CSEA’s demands.
“When we arrived at the SCO [Long Island headquarters], I let them know that I would cause havoc for them because they fired a 16-year employee, who had never been in any trouble before,” said Brown. “I told them CSEA would have members, an LED truck and an inflatable rat at their office every week until Sirlentor was reinstated.”
About two hours after the confrontation, SCO’s attorney called Brown to schedule a discussion.
When Brown met with the attorney, he “let them know what it has to be” based on the findings of the Justice Center and Berry’s exemplary record.
The lawyer reviewed recordings of Berry and spoke with SCO management.
Two weeks later, SCO officials called Brown to let him know they would reinstate Berry.
SCO knows Brown is not one for empty threats because he played a major part in organizing SCO. Brown had a solo march on the boss to push management to begin negotiations on the local’s first contract.
“This proves that old school union methods still work,” said Brown. “CSEA has to go back to putting fear in management to make them respond to what we’re saying because when we’re passive, members suffer.”
Keeping the faith
SCO members were surprised to see Berry return to work. Berry, however, always knew he would be back.
“My issue allowed members to see how powerful CSEA is and instilled a lot more faith in this organization,” said Berry. “When I saw how many people were working on my behalf, I had no doubt that I would be back to work. It shows that CSEA membership is worth it. You just have to be patient and let the process play out.”
— Wendi Bowie
In this 2022 file photo, celebrating the Northeast Parent and Child Society vote to form a union with CSEA, former Town of Oyster Bay Local activist Sal Cecere, SCO Family of Services Local President Sirlentor Berry, Northeast Parent and Child Society (NPCS) Online/On-call Counselor Geneva Grice, NPCS Sr. Residential Counselor Adrian O’neale, CSEA Statewide Organizer Greg Bartow, Long Island Region President Jarvis T. Brown and Town of Oyster Bay Local President and Long Island Region 2nd Vice President Guadalupe Johnson.
