Public Employee Press

DEP clericals win out-of-title cases

Clean air, pure water, working sewers, regulation of asbestos and other hazardous substances — for city dwellers these make the difference between health and disease, life and death. But budget cuts have thinned the staff at the Dept. of Environmental Protection, and management presses employees into duties beyond their job specifications.

Clerical Associate Tarnessia Smith was doing the job of a Principal Administrative Associate. “I took over as travel liaison for my whole bureau,” she explained. Now Ms. Smith is one of 11 satisfied members of Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549 who filed grievances that won back pay and upgrades.

“I don’t mind doing the work as long as I’m compensated for it,” said Ms. Smith. Clerical Division Council Rep Eddie Douglas and Grievance Rep Janine Thomas worked on the out-of-title cases. DEP Chapter Chair Rosalind Smalls sees the victories as an example for others. “I’m happy that the members have seen that if they file, they can probably win,” she said.

The grievants received pay increases totaling $76,000. The other grievance winners are Theresa Kelly, Barbara Bennett, Margherite Duffy, Yelitza Santos, Jo Ann Bielinski and Kathleen Steen, who work upstate, and Janelle Williams, Anna Soler, Danielle McCutcheon, and Ansari Kalil from DEP in the city.

“When you’re in a tight corner, the union goes to bat for you,” said Ms. Smith. “Our dues money is well spent.” “We really appreciate all the hard work Janine Thomas has done in helping us with the grievances,” said Rosalind Smalls. Eddie Douglas worked with Shop Steward Wilfred Thomas and Local 1549 member Benita Robeson. Ms. Robeson, who passed away last year at 32, “was an inspiration for us,” said Mr. Thomas.

Clerical Division Director Ronnie Harris pointed out that the wins at DEP demonstrate the union’s perseverance and commitment to protecting the members’ rights. “For too long this agency has been assigning too many extra duties to our members,” he said.