PEP, Dec. 2002: Hospital clericals win upgrades.

By JANE LaTOUR

For three years, Clerical Associate IV Carlos Rios worked diligently at Metropolitan Hospital - doing his job and another job.

His extra tasks of data entry and supervision, problem solving and coordinating data with other departments are supposed to come with an upgrade in title and salary to Computer Associate, he learned.

Fed up, he filed a working-out-of-title grievance with Local 1549 Chief Steward Efrain Perez and Council Rep Renee Gainer. On Sept. 19, an arbitrator awarded Rios $18,000 in a lump sum payment for the out-of-title work he had performed. "It was an uphill battle," said Rios, who has worked at the hospital since 1973.

For four years, Aglaee Nieves did every task assigned to her. She performed her job as a Clerical Associate IV in addition to the extra duties she was assigned. Finally, Ms. Nieves ran out of patience with management's promises and filed a grievance. On July 19, she won back pay and an upgrade to the title of Unit Coordinating Manager.

Said Ms. Nieves, "I'm happy with the outcome. But I should have done it sooner." At the urging of Ms. Gainer and Mr. Perez, six other members of Clerical-Administrative Local 1549 at Metropolitan recently took action and won grievances.

Checking the job description

Theresa Banks and Marilyn Singh-Cameron, Clerical Associates II, won a group grievance after a new, male employee was brought in as a Clerical Associate III. "He was getting extra money for the work we were teaching him how to do," said Ms. Singh-Cameron. "I'm more comfortable now, getting paid for the work I'm doing."

Mildred McGill and Eddie Davila's group grievance was also a winner. Mildred, a 20-year veteran at Metropolitan, "didn't know I was working out-of-title and not getting paid for it. Then I took a really good look at my job description," she said.
After 27 years there, Margaret Clarke won an out-of-title grievance with back pay and a new position - Clerical Associate III. "Efrain and Renee fought for me and got me going. It took over two years."

Cheryl McCalla, a relative newcomer, was also subjected to assignments beyond her job title until she filed a grievance. "I'm glad the union works for me like it works for everyone else."

For Mr. Perez, now a Local 1549 grievance rep, the moral of the story is to take action. "It's so important that the members file a grievance, rather than do the work and not do anything about it," he said. He explained an important element of winning: "Good documentation leads to a good case."

"It's satisfying to see these tangible, positive results of our work," said Ms. Gainer, now assistant division director.