Public Employee Press

HHC clerical gets back pay and promotion

The doctors and nurses living in Metropolitan Hospital's Draper Hall Residence Center are fortunate to have a public servant like Samantha Melendez looking out for their welfare. The Local 1549 member uses her technical skills and computer savvy to take care of a long list of their needs.

While her job title was Clerical Associate IV, she performed all the duties of a Coordinating Manager, such as overseeing the work of another employee, keeping track of records for the occupants, and scheduling maintenance and repair work at the 280-unit residence.

Her supervisor promised to put in for her promotion, but when he left his position without doing so, Melendez reached out to her union and Grievance Rep Efrain Perez helped her file an out-of-title work grievance. After management denied the grievance at the first three steps, DC 37 Attorney Alan M. Brown and intern Bernard Mason took the case to arbitration and prepared Melendez to testify. A hearing was held July 13 and the decision came in August, awarding Melendez the difference in pay between the two titles. Subsequently, HHC promoted her to Coordinating Manager Level B.

"She met all of the requirements by doing the job," said Assistant Clerical Division Director Renee Gainer. "If she's good enough to do the job, she's good enough to be paid for it."

"I like my work," said Melendez, who is also raising 4-year-old Skylar and pursuing her dream of becoming a Nurse at Borough of Manhattan Community College.

"We have to continue to promote public- sector workers and fight for their rights," Perez said.

"This victory shows that members who are motivated and prepared and work with their union will prevail," Brown said.