Public Employee Press

Arbitration Victory: $100,000
Grievances recover unpaid differentials for 48 clerical workers at Lincoln Hospital

Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx has the region’s busiest emergency room. Its expert medical team gets tremendous backup from the support staff, including the Clerical Associates of Local 1549. Group grievances recently won about $100,000 a year in unpaid differentials for 48 Lincoln CAs who work in the ER as Ward Clerks and Admitting Clerks.

Under the Clerical Unit contract, personnel in these positions are entitled to a salary differential, but Lincoln wasn’t paying until the union took up the fight. “The differential will be $800 to $900 a year for each of the 42 Admitting Clerks and $1,100 for each of the six Ward Clerks,” said Council Rep Sheila Lewis.

Veteran employees Luis Cordero and Noreen Chisolm are now eagerly awaiting the Ward Clerk payment, which will be retroactive for the period from the time the grievance was filed until the settlement was reached.

“We were due for this,” said Cordero. “It was time for us to win.” Chisolm said, “We all work very hard here, and it feels great to win!”

Admitting Clerk Elsie Lecour said, “I feel great about winning and as soon as I get my money, I’ll feel even better.”

Local 1549 member Annette Lewis summed up the feelings of the winning grievants: “I want to express my thanks to DC 37 and Local 1549. Sheila Lewis worked hard and the union conducted a great campaign for us.”

Chief Shop Steward Eugene Williams was part of the grievance battle from the beginning. “At first, I was overwhelmed, but I learned a lot under the leadership of Sheila Lewis and Assistant Clerical Director Renee Gainer. Our members saw that we are here working for them.”

Lewis, with many years of experience as a Grievance and Council Rep, advises all hospital ER workers to do a paycheck checkup. “Look at your pay stub and if you are entitled to the differential, make sure you are getting it.”