Public Employee Press

Voices for Bellevue workers:
Local 1549 shop stewards go the extra mile

Eight shop stewards hold the front line for Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549 at Bellevue Hospital, representing the members and enforcing the contract. Chief Steward Jamaisa Johnson and Shop Steward Cynthia Meyers recently showed the selfless dedication of this team.

Grievance Rep Nina Perez learned that timekeeping duties in the Outpatient Dept., normally performed by members of the clerical local, were being “outsourced” to other workers on an out-of-title basis. Local 1549 members get an assignment differential — extra pay — for this task.

The union’s grievance, unresolved earlier in the process, was scheduled for a hearing before an impartial arbitrator. In order to present a strong argument, the union needed witnesses familiar with the past work assignments and willing to speak up about the problem.

Two perfect witnesses — Johnson, a timekeeper in the Nursing Dept., and Meyers, who works in the Payroll Dept. — were set to testify. But on Dec. 6, the day of the arbitration, they were sick — Johnson with the flu and Meyers with a back problem so bad she could hardly walk. Yet both made their way to the arbitration and presented informed testimony.

“Their testimonies made the case clear and convincing. Without them, we could not have gone forward,” said Perez.

“I was determined to be there on behalf of my members,” Johnson said. “Management keeps trying to combine titles and to exclude clericals from certain positions. It’s union busting!”

“I have seen management being unfair to workers,” said Meyers. The 30-year Bellevue veteran decided to take on the duties of steward only three years ago. “I realized that the clerical staff needed another person with the knowledge, the voice and the backbone to stand up for the members.”

As the union awaits the decision, Perez said that whatever the outcome, she appreciates the commitment they showed. “They’re a strong voice for the clericals at Bellevue Hospital,” she said.

“We believe in a strong shop steward system,” said Assistant Clerical Division Director Renee Gainer. “They are our eyes and ears.”