Public Employee Press

Union makes HHC pay up for injured Local 420 member

A Local 420 Institutional Aide injured on the job last May was happy to return to work at Bellevue Hospital in March after the union won her grievance for retroactive disability pay.

Irma Perez cleaned rooms and mopped fl oors at Bellevue Hospital for nine years until she injured herself. "I was making a bed and I slipped. I went to brace myself and felt excruciating pain in my left shoulder," she said. Her doctor diagnosed a torn rotator cuff that would require surgery and rehabilitation therapy before she could work again.

"This injury was a direct result of the workload Ms. Perez was assigned by her employer," said Local 420 President Carmen Charles. "The more HHC reduces its staffing, the more frequently overworked employees suffer job-related injuries."

"My pain was a 10 on a scale of one to 10," Perez said. "I couldn't care for myself. Simple acts that healthy people take for granted - like getting dressed - were a real challenge," she said. "I got help from my sister, and I wore a lot of elastic waist pants."

A mountain of medical bills cost Perez her savings and Workers' Compensation demanded daunting amounts of paperwork and took time to kick in. From May to November, HHC failed to pay Perez the difference between the Workers' Comp and her normal weekly salary.

"HHC routinely drags its feet on disability cases. They won't act without a grievance," said Hospitals Division Rep Felicita Creque, who won Perez's grievance at Step 2. Hospital Division Director Audrey McConney says, "It is important that members contact the union whenever they are injured on the job."

After a November operation to repair the shoulder, Creque helped Perez find a physical therapist to restore her arm motion and helped win her back pay.

"I am so glad I have a union that stood by me and helped me get everything I needed," said Perez.