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Public
Employee Press
Elmhurst
Hospital
Shooting highlights security gap at HHC
Sept. 11 was a typical busy Saturday
morning at the Elmhurst Hospital Emergency Room. But within seconds, gunfire
and kidnapping catapulted two members of Clerical-Administrative Employees
Local 1549 to the center of the news.
Clerical Associate Nancy Carrasquillo was just completing her shift at
8 a.m. when her estranged husband Miguel entered the ER in a fury. Waving
a gun, he grabbed her by the hair.
After a history of domestic abuse, the mother of four had sought an order
of protection from her husband igniting his wrath.
Doctors, nurses, patients and staff scattered, but Marcos Motta heard
his co-worker crying out and ran to help her. He was shot in the face.
The bullet exited through his neck.
The enraged kidnapper dragged Ms. Carrasquillo out and took her aboard
a bus headed south. Police captured him in Fayetteville, N.C.
A quiet hero
DC 37 Clerical Division Grievance Rep Marcel Burke was on his way to a
picnic when he heard the news. He scratched his plans and drove straight
to Elmhurst to see Mr. Motta.
Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez visited on Monday. Marcos Motta
is a caring, quiet hero, he said. Im happy Nancy is
safe, he said. She knew she was in danger but she was thinking
of her children and her co-workers. She acted very calm and brave.
Now that Nancy Carrasquillo is safely back home and the story has moved
off the front pages of the tabloids, Mr. Motta is still the center of
attention for his co-workers. When four ER workers who shared those traumatic
moments dropped by his hospital room for a visit, he called them my
angels. A native of Peru and the father of three, Mr. Motta volunteered
as an Interpreter for a year before the hospital hired him as a Clerical
Associate, Level III. Modestly, Mr. Motta said, Id do it for
anybody. My co-workers are very important to me.
Job safety lacking
After 18 years at Elmhurst, Clerical Associate Queenie Jones observed,
You leave home to go to work. You think its a safe environment
and it turns out its not.
HHC must take steps to ensure the security of employees, said Clerical
Division Director Ronnie Harris. Local 1549 2nd Vice President and Hospital
Chapter Chair Ralph Palladino said the incident highlights the need
for stronger workplace violence laws and regulations. We need
to pay more attention to this problem, said Ms. Jones.
If you need help with abuse or violence at home, DC 37s Municipal
Employees Legal Services offers members help getting orders of protection
in Family Court and related social work services. The unions Personal
Services Unit provides counseling and other services. For information
call MELS at 212-815-1111 or PSU at 212-815-1250.
Jane LaTour
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