Public Employee Press

Rep’s “paycheck checkup” formula rings up cash for clerical workers

Clerical Division Grievance Rep Alpine James never loses an opportunity to tell the members of Local 1549 to do their own paycheck checkup. She provides the formula and encourages Local 1549 members to use it to make sure they are getting all the money they should get.

Recently, a paycheck checkup paid off for Aleta K. Fox, an Eligibility Specialist III at a Bronx center for AIDS services. Ms. Fox explained: “I was going over my pay stubs with Ms. James and she said, ‘You never got your first and third year increments!’ She put in a grievance for me and the rest is history.”

HRA drags its feet
According to the Clerical Contract, Eligibility Specialists IIIs are entitled to service increments after their first and third years. “It’s supposed to be automatic, but often the Human Resources Administration drags its feet,” said Ms. James. Ms. Fox’s grievance covered more than two years through Aug. 6, 2003. It netted her a check for $3,919.27. “I had just come back from a medical leave, so it was very helpful,” she said.

“It was wonderful and Alpine James was very knowledgeable,” said the grateful grievant. Assistant Clerical Division Director Eddie Gates said, “We want to remind the ES IIIs throughout HRA that this is a contractual right. The union won it for members back in 1990-91, and it’s still part of the contract.”

Aleta Fox advised other ES IIIs: “Do the salary check. Be informed and ask questions. If it’s not in your paycheck, file a grievance and get your service increments.”