Public Employee Press

Union gets longevity pay for School Lunch Aide

During her 25 years working in the public school system, School Lunch Aide Kerene Fenlator has provided healthy meals for thousands of the city’s schoolchildren, but the Dept. of Education wasn’t providing her with the pay she deserved.

It took Local 372 and the DC 37 Schools Division to get the union member what she was owed, the right compensation and a check for $7,000 in back pay.

Fenlator, a union member at IS 270 in Queens District 29, started her career in 1985 as an Hourly School Lunch Helper. In 1996 she moved up to the annual SLA title, but the DOE continued to pay her as an hourly employee and never gave her the longevity money she had earned.

Schools Division Council Rep Phyllis Wambser noticed the discrepancy when she visited the school and Fenlator showed her a pay stub. Wambser checked with the timekeeper and discovered that the DOE had never provided the longevity pay.

“It’s important for all members to be aware that after 15 years of continuous service they are entitled to longevity pay,” said Wambser. “If they believe that they are not receiving it, they should contact their local representative immediately.”

The union made the DOE correct the error, and in March Fenlator’s paycheck was adjusted and she received $7,000 in back pay.

“I’ll make sure to check with my union rep as soon as possible next time I have a question about something like this,” said Fenlator as she pocketed the extra money.