Union confronts workplace violence

By MOLLY CHARBONEAU

Tensions made razor sharp by looming benefit cutoffs for thousands of welfare recipients set the stage for a vicious attack Jan. 11 against three members of Clerical-Administrative Local 1549.

In one of the most serious assaults to date at a Human Resources Administration facility, Job Opportunity Specialist Robert Cephus passed out and was rushed to the hospital after he was beaten by at least a dozen men in a locked office at the East End Job Center in Harlem.

Supervisor Ramon Lopez and JOSs Maria Munoz and Robert Stokes were also injured in the altercation.

Upon learning of the incident, Local 1549 took steps to defend its members. The DC 37 Clerical-Administrative Division dispatched Grievance Rep Frank Maldonado to the site, contacted a Workers' Compensation attorney for the injured members and held an emergency membership meeting at the center on Jan. 22.

"Whoever got hurt, we're all from one family, and my job is to protect you," Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez told the members. "You're on the front line, and when there are no jobs and clients face a cutoff, they'll get angry with you. Management has to accept its responsibility to provide security and reduce heavy caseloads."

He urged members to call the union immediately to report workplace attacks, explaining the contract provides for extended leave for members injured in such incidents.

"Members should leave at 5 o'clock and not work late if there are no security guards on duty," warned Ronnie Harris, acting division director. He said the union has requested a meeting about security with new HRA Commissioner Verna Eggleston.

Eric Reid of the DC 37 Personal Services Unit reviewed symptoms of post traumatic stress and said members who want counseling should call PSU at (212) 615-4237.

The Jan. 11 attack occurred around 7 p.m. while employees were working overtime, said Mr. Maldonado. A client became upset when Mr. Cephus explained that she would have to reopen her closed case before he could help her.

She left and returned with her niece who challenged him. Mr. Cephus referred her to his supervisor, who conducted a separate interview. The women left, but quickly returned with a group of men who rushed into the office, locked the door and began beating Mr. Cephus and his colleagues.

The security guards had left for the day. Members who tried to call for help discovered the phones were dead. They had to go down three floors to the lobby to dial 911.

Local 1549 has pushed for better security at job centers citywide since HRA replaced agency peace officers with private security guards, who have less authority and training. The local has lobbied to bring back the peace officers and, in the interim, station Police Officers at each center.