Public Employee Press

Arbiter restores job of injured Jacobi Hospital clerical worker

As the TV commercial put it, “Help. I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” When Local 1549 member Maria Carabello fell and broke her ankle, she ended up needing help and turned to her union.

It took two surgeries and a lengthy recuperation to repair the ankle. The seven-year employee at Jacobi Hospital used up all her accumulated sick and leave time, including the 12 weeks from the Family and Medical Leave Act. It wasn’t enough. Despite her good attendance record, she was terminated.

Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549 went to bat for her and took Carabello’s case to a winning arbitration.

“This is living proof that our union stands behind its members,” said Jacobi Hospital Chief Steward Brian Griffen. He worked with Grievance Rep Efrain Perez in preparing the case. “It’s a great feeling when somebody who lost their job wins it back through the grievance process,” said Perez.

Local 1549 attorney Martin Druyan handled the arbitration for the local. “He fought tooth and nail for this member,” observed Perez.

“The union was this member’s strength and support,” said Assistant Clerical Division Director Renee Gainer, who took special pride in the reinstatement.

Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez also cheered the victory. “We were there for her 100 percent,” he said. “Whether you have one year or seven years or 27 years, we’re there to protect you from unfair treatment.”

Shortly after she returned to work Jan. 2, Carabello said, “It was very important to me to win my job back. I had to have a cast on for four months and I needed time to recuperate. During that time, I came to realize how important and dedicated the union can be for the members.” “I’m very grateful for the support I got from Efrain Perez and everybody else.”