Even experienced surgeons with extensive training and specialized abilities can’t operate without scalpels. Caring for one hospital patient takes the labor of a wide range of skilled workers, from doctors and nurses to aides, technicians, boiler operators and people to bill the patients and buy the scalpels.

Jacobi Medical Center, for example, couldn’t function without members of Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549 like Crystal Cruz in the Accounts Payable Dept. and José Roldan in the appointments center. Ms. Cruz checks payments for supplies, such as medicines, sheets and scalpels. But she was underpaid for her indispensable work, which required duties beyond her Clerical Associate II title. Mr. Roldan provided other essential services, scheduling patients’ appointments over the telephone.

Extra duties
He also handled duties above and beyond the job he was paid for, networking with other departments, facilitating meetings and even approving time and leave requests for other employees.

Ms. Cruz and co-worker Alicia Cuasay filed out-of-title work grievances in 1999, and Mr. Roldan filed last year. All three of the grievances went to Step III before the administration agreed to a settlement in September. “We provided solid evidence and a good argument,” said Clerical Division Grievance Rep Efrain Perez.

Higher pay
Now the employees are working in new titles with higher salaries. Each grievant is getting retroactive pay representing the difference in salary between their two titles from the date they filed the grievance to the date of settlement.

For Mr. Roldan, a young father and a sociology student at Lehman College, the retroactive payment amounted to $5,700. With his new title, Clerical Associate IV, came a new job in the non-medical oncology clinic.

“It feels good to know that I make a difference in the patients’ lives every day,” he said. “The union did a great job. My shop steward, Brian Griffin, was always available, and Efrain Perez was tremendous. I’d like to thank the union for all they do.”

“Even though I had to go through all three steps of the grievance procedure, the union reps were always there,” said Ms. Cruz, “from Nina Perez to Efrain Perez and attorney Alan Brown.”

Alicia Cuasay’s vindication came after she retired Dec. 30, 2002, with 20 years at Jacobi. “I feel so good,” she said. “We worked so hard for so long. Mr. Perez really did a good job!”

Assistant Director Renee Gainer of DC 37’s Clerical Division pointed out, “When members work with the union to pursue their rights under the contract, they get results.”