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Public
Employee Press Local
372 wins summer pay for passed over School Aide
When School Aide Ana Muñiz, who works
at Middle School 45 in the Bronx, applied to work in this years Summer School
Instructional Program, she thought getting the job would be a slam-dunk.
She
had applied online as soon as the Dept. of Education posted the position, and
as a 12-year veteran member of Local 372 she had the seniority to be hired for
the summer work.
But Muñiz soon learned that she had been passed
over in favor of five employees with a lot less seniority. She quickly contacted
the union and Council Rep Phyllis Wambser of the DC 37 Schools Division immediately
filed a Step Two grievance on her behalf. I thought that something was
wrong because Ive worked in the summer program before, said Muñiz.
When Mrs. Wambser suggested that we file a grievance, I said Sure.
During a hearing on Oct. 17, the union presented documents showing
that employees with less seniority had been hired instead of Muñiz. Afterward,
the hearing officer consulted with management of the Human Resources/Personnel
Dept. at DOEs Bronx Integrated Service Center. A thorough reexamination
of the case determined that an error had been committed in failing to hire her.
The
hearing officer ruled on Oct. 22 that Muñiz was entitled to be paid for
the 86 hours of School Aide service in the Summer School Instructional Program
that she had improperly been denied, and the union member has received restitution
of $1,223.
Im very happy that the union was there for me when
I needed them, said the School Aide.
This is an important reminder
to our members that they have rights that extend beyond the school year to include
summer school programs as well, said Marva Lewis-Bradford, DC 37 Schools
Division director. It was also important that the member and the rep moved
so quickly. | |