Public Employee Press

Human rights agency agrees to clean up its act

The Commission on Human Rights has agreed to provide employees with proper computer equipment and to clean up two offices in Brooklyn and Queens, where Local 154 members were angry about health and safety violations.

An agreement worked out with Arbitrator Elaine P. Mills requires the agency to address the union’s concerns about filthy conditions and improper computer equipment within three months.

“We were glad to resolve this dispute without going through a lengthy arbitration proceeding with numerous, unnecessary hearings,” said Juan Fernandez, president of Amalgamated Professional Employees Local 154.

“The facts were in our favor,” Mr. Fernandez said. “And the conclusion is a tribute to the hard work of members at the work sites, who carefully gathered the information the union needed to make a strong case to force the commission to correct the safety and health problems.” The union filed the grievances in 2003 and concluded the agreement in fall 2004.

At the commission’s 275 Livingston St. office in Brooklyn, members complained about filthy bathrooms. The DC 37 Safety and Health Dept. cited unsanitary broken tiles and uncleaned vents in the dust-filled men’s and women’s rooms. The union charged that the conditions violated the Citywide Contract, which guarantees members “adequate, clean, structurally safe and sanitary working facilities.”

The union grievances also charged that members were forced to use improper computer equipment. Under the contract and a mayoral directive, DC 37 members are entitled to computer equipment and furniture designed to protect them from injuries related to keyboard work at a video display terminal. The agreement requires the commission to provide keyboard trays with mouse pads within three months of a member’s request. The agency must also replace a grievant’s four-legged chair with a new, five-legged chair and install Venetian blinds in two offices.

Brooklyn shop steward Alfredo Peña and CHR Chapter Chair Isaac Parsee assisted Mr. Fernandez and DC 37 Rep Marianela Santana, Principal Program Coordinator Rebecca Porper and Assistant General Counsel Melissa Brown with the case.