Public Employee Press

Out-of-title victories lighten the load

Through a long battle, the union brought some on-the-job justice to Kim Blondell and Susana Zamora, members of Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549. They won longstanding grievances for doing the work of higher-paid positions without getting the money.

Kim Blondell was a Secretary, but she carried the weight of a Principal Administrative Associate as she did the job of an Office Manager in the Family Court office of the Administration for Children’s Services. She conducted unit meetings, checked job assignments, and delegated work to the clerical staff.

Even after Ms. Blondell won an earlier grievance, management kept piling on the out-of-title work. After pressing her latest case, she won $13,000 in back pay in May and she is eagerly anticipating a promotion to PAA I. “It was a long, stressful journey,” she said. She appreciated the support of her union. “Pilar Oquendo, my grievance rep, encouraged me when I was down. She was with me 100 percent.”

The promotion will move Ms. Blondell into the Communications Workers union. “I’m sure the CWA is a fine union,” she said, “but Local 1549 is like my family. They really stick by you.”

Susana Zamora’s title at the Human Resources Administration was Clerical Associate II. Yet she performed the job functions of a Clerical Associate III for over a year.

DC 37 General Counsel Alan M. Brown handled the case and won a back pay settlement. Ms. Zamora received the difference in wages between the two positions from when she filed her grievance on Sept. 25, 2000, through Oct. 3, 2001.
Ms. Zamora felt vindicated. “I am very happy,” she said. “I love my union.” Ms. Oquendo is satisfied, she said, “Because our members know the union works for them and enforces the contract.”

“It’s good to see the staff and the members working to resolve longstanding problems,” said Clerical Division Director Ronnie Harris. “Our goal is to provide equity and justice for our members.”

Assistant Director Eddie Gates pointed out that Ms. Blondell’s case “sends a message that the ACS is just another agency that must follow the rules, civil service law and the contract, like all the others.”