Public Employee Press

Grievance wins back his job

DC 37 won back the jobs of two School Aides, Ray Agosto and David Newman, who were unjustly terminated by the principal of Brooklyn Lab School in District 19.

Veteran employees with years of distinguished service, the two Local 372 members got a letter from the principal on Sept. 6, 2012, questioning their civil service eligibility and terminating them.

They quickly contacted Schools Division Grievance Rep Brenda Jimenez, who filed a grievance on their behalf against the improper discharge. The grievance charged that the Dept. of Education had not followed the required discharge review procedures and sought to have the two members reinstated immediately with full back pay, all benefits and seniority.

After the grievance process failed to resolve the issue, DC 37 Assistant General Counsels Erica Gray-Nelson and Meaghean Murphy resolved the cases in the members' favor.

"I'm very happy to have my job back and to have had the help of my union," said Newman, who received back pay of $1,300. Agosto declined to return to work, but, he received $2,000 in back pay and is relieved to have his name cleared.

"This union will always go to bat for members who are treated unfairly," said Jimenez.