Public Employee Press

Local 420 wins leave with pay
for member assaulted on the job

As a Psychiatric Technician who works with emotionally unstable patients at Kings County Hospital, Sylvia Ballard frequently finds herself in potentially dangerous situations. That peril became reality Nov. 17, when a patient suddenly assaulted her from behind.

The 17-year veteran worker and member of Local 420 suffered multiple injuries to her neck and face and was unable to work from November 2004 to January 2005. As if her injuries were not painful enough, the hospital’s management refused to grant her the leave of absence with pay that she was entitled to. Instead they forced her to use her sick leave to recuperate.

Members’ rights
DC 37 Council Rep Marva Lewis-Bradford urged Ms. Ballard to file a grievance. “Members sometimes don’t understand their rights,” explained the rep. “And they think that they can work it out themselves with management.”

In a Step 1 grievance hearing, the union charged that management violated the Citywide Contract, Article V, Section 10, (line of duty injury due to assault). Management backed down and agreed to restore the accrued leave time for the period when Ms. Ballard was out.

“We could use more training to help us deal with these situations,” said Ms. Ballard. “And in the future I won’t hesitate to seek out the union for help.”