A little love

A little love goes a long way.
I truly enjoy my job as a Supervising School Aide. Besides assigning work to the School Aides in the school where I work, I am also very much involved with attendance. I take it very personally when it comes down to students being in school. Because that is a great start in life.

I remember a particular student in our school, an eighth grader who could be as nasty as she can be, especially with her mother (a single mother with three other little girls at home). I used to call this parent to find out where the girl was on the days that I would not see her in school. Her mother used to tell me how she hadn’t seen her for the whole weekend — a?14-year-old girl, where would she be?

I started approaching her and I won her love and trust — to the point that she did such a turnaround that the girl started loving school and graduated and is now doing very well in high school. That gives me such a good feeling, to know that I helped that mother when she was in such tremendous need.

—NORMA QUINONES
Local 372

A poet’s universe

I enjoy reading the union newspaper. Thank you for creating this avenue for all members to share their thoughts and creativity.

I’m submitting a poem for review. My intention during this holiday season is to bring our attention to the meaning of a gift.The classic quality of a gift is that it is timeless — like life, family, friends and most of all the Highest Power.

A Simple Wonder
I call forth from the universe all blessings
  that are truly mine.
I call forth from the universe the freedom
  to recognize my gifts.
I call forth from the universe the strength
  to accept what I’ve been given.
I call forth from the universe the power
  to let go.
I call forth from the universe speaking
  and touching that heals.
I call forth from the universe light
  from within.
I call forth from the universe individual
  peace.
I offer to the universe a genuine prayer
  of thanks.
I offer to the universe the whimper
  of a child.
I offer to the universe wisdom of
  an old soldier.
I offer to the universe satisfaction of
  a burden lifted.
I offer to the universe the last leg of
  my race.
I offer to the universe the comfort of
  accomplishment.
I thank the Highest Power for giving me
  structure.
I thank the Highest Power for being
  consistent.
I thank the Highest Power for making me
  a gift.

—MARIE LOLAGNEGETERS
EMT-D, Batt. 31, Local 2507. 31

Local respected feelings in logo contest

Last July the Public Relations Committee of Local 1549 sponsored a contest for our members to design our local’s new logo. Being an artist I was very excited to see this and went to work on it right away. I thought my design was outstanding in its simplicity and conveyed the very heart of our union’s aspirations. But there were only 10 entries out of more than 23,000 members. The union chose to keep the logo they took to the national convention.

But to show their appreciation to the 10 members who did participate, the local gave a soiree attended by the committee and the dynamic Delsie Butler, deputy administrator. Also, we were each awarded an electronic personal organizer. The committee explained to us the reason for their choice of design. I thought this showed a touch of class. So I would like to thank them for being so respectful and considerate of our feelings.

And if someone asks what is wrong with our union, remember: 10 out of 23,000.

—MARVIN GLOVER
ES 3, Local 1549

We can bank by phone, so why can’t we vote by phone?

I am expressing some thoughts about the election of 2000. Our country is in a state of election confusion.

Our electoral college system of selecting our president is out-dated and we must urge our congress members, senators and state legislators to institute a proposed constitutional amendment so that we will be afforded the opportunity to select our president and vice president by the notion of one vote for one person.

Secondly, this campaign has been mudslinging and dirty. We must urge our politicians to promote human respect and understanding and stick to only the issues in their debates and advertisements that are telecast and broadcast via the media. Mature behavior must be the name of the game.

In addition, the voting machines are not the greatest way of voting. They are not accessible to the visually impaired, to the blind, to the print handicapped and to many others.

There should be braille on voting machines, large print or even audio speech that will tell the person the candidate’s name when it is pressed.

In addition, there should be telephone voting, where the person uses a special pin number like an ATM machine and then dials or punches in the names of the candidates.

There is banking by phone, so why not institute voting by phone? Also, the internet could be used.

Absentee ballots have become more complicated to use. Why not have absentee ballots in braille? It seems as though the voting process is not very accessible for the print disabled.

The primary process for president is much too long and there are too many primaries on the same day occurring very early in the season. They should be spaced out. But why not vote directly for president, abolishing the primaries altogether? Then money can be saved.

—CYNTHIA GROOPMAN
DC 37 Retirees Association

Thanks for COLA

Thank you, DC 37, for getting the COLA. I have been retired since 1979. It comes in very handy now.

Thanks again.

—FRANK GAGLIARDI
Retiree, Board of Education

Union helps make her job satisfying

The factors that are most important to me in making a job satisfying are challenge, location, and benefits.

It is exciting to be confronted with a challenge. In a challenge there are rewards and awards.

I work for the Department of Social Services, and there are some units in the center that are quite challenging. As an Assistant Supervisor, I was transferred from the Control Unit to the Distribution and Collection Unit. There are reports to submit on time, ledgers to balance daily, supplies to request and clients to be served at the window. Another responsibility is to make sure there is sufficient cash on hand. I have to proofread and sign checks while answering the telephone.

If a worker is out, I have to contact the office manager to send backup. I survived three years in this unit and received awards of recognition.
The location of a job is very important. Personally, I would not like to travel for an hour to get to my job. Delays like track fires or sick passengers or even bad weather conditions can be distressing. My travel time is about 20 minutes.

A satisfying job is one that has benefits. I am a proud union member. My union bargains for pay increases and it provides health care, training for the job, and educational opportunities.

At present I am attending classes at the union for my High School Equivalency Certificate. The instructors are excellent in their presentation of various subjects. I know success is in the future. I also attended computer, shorthand and typing classes provided by the union.

It is a great fulfillment in life to experience a satisfying job.

—GLORIA HILL
Clerical Associate 3, Local 1549