Clerical-Administrative Local 1549 has won a $1,000 differential effective Feb. 1 for more than 200 full-time Eligibility Specialists Level II.

The differential will go to ES II's who are regularly assigned to duties related to the "Family Health Plus Program" and the "Child Health Plus Program" in the Community Applications Offices and Central Eligibility Division of the Human Resources Administration's Medical Assistance Program (MAP).

"This is an important first step in recognizing the work of these Eligibility Specialists, and it's only the beginning of our fight to win additional compensation for our members," said Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez.

The city has agreed that the differential will be paid annually to those ES II's while they are assigned to the designated MAP duties. The local's unit contract has also been amended to reflect the differential, which will continue for as long as the covered members are working in the covered MAP assignments.

"With this agreement, the city is finally validating that these members are doing work beyond the scope of the traditional Eligibility Specialist II title," said Clerical- Administrative Division Director Ronnie Harris.
Since the Sept. 11 disaster, the ES II's assigned to MAP have been working extra hard - often in cramped quarters - processing expedited claims for disaster relief.

"The Medicaid offices where they work have been jammed to the rafters, with lines of people waiting to file," said Mr. Harris.

Local 1549 will be pressing for similar gains for members in other titles as unit bargaining proceeds, said Mr. Rodriguez.