PEP, May 2014: Marine Technicians win additional pay

Chris Pianelli, an Instrumentation Specialist at the Dept. of Environmental Protection, took a new job in October as a Marine Electronics Technician at the Dept. of Transportation.

DOT said he wasn't entitled to the Recurring Increment Payment he had received at DEP. RIPs are additions to base pay based on years of service.

Pianelli sensed something was wrong and contacted Local 375. Grievance Rep Elena Mora consulted Assistant Director Lisa Riccio in the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept., who took the issue to the city Office of Labor Relations. OLR said Pianelli was entitled to the extra pay in his new job title.

"Three other members work with Chris at the Staten Island Ferry's office," Mora said. "We found that they all weren't receiving the RIP."

Thanks to Pianelli, the three other Marine Electronics Technicians at the Staten Island Ferry are now also getting RIPs, and they have received retroactive payments ranging from $500 to $2,500 to cover what they should have been paid before.

Since he came on board so recently, Pianelli received the least of the retro payments, which totaled over $7,000. His RIP is $39.35 per pay period.

Marine Electronics Technicians maintain the fire alarm and public announcement systems and monitor sophisticated navigation equipment.

"We were not aware of the RIP until Chris came here," said co-worker Bob Smith. "We were pleasantly surprised."

Alex Burd also appreciated Pianelli's initiative. "It was nice," he said of the Paris vacation funded by his back pay of $2,500.

"It could have been better if the union told us before," said Boniface George, whose back pay before taxes was $2,100. "But am I happy? Of course I am."

"Chris's vigilance paid off," said Local 375 President Claude Forte.

"Everyone should review their contract and be aware of their rights," said Pianelli.