Public Employee Press

Shaving paychecks of 10 union barbers costs city $40,000

Barbers are often asked to trim a little off the sides. But when the Dept. of Corrections trimmed the differentials off the paychecks of 10 Barbers and Beauticians in Muncipal Hospitals Employees Local 420, they filed a grievance that put a total of over $40,000 in their pockets.

"Joseph Marcus came to the union when he realized he was short the $800 annual differential that DOC pays employees for supervising inmates who cut hair," said Hospitals Council Rep Sharon Bankhead.

"Most Barbers know we have a union, but few attend meetings. That's where Ms. Bankhead asked to see my pay stub and told me I was being cheated," Marcus said.

Bankhead filed the grievance for the Riker's Island employee in December. Management agreed with the union, settled the grievance at Step 1, and Marcus got a check for $4,200 in April as part of a settlement between the union and the agency.

"Management did the right thing and agreed to pay the differentials owed to all 10 of the Local 420 members in that title," Bankhead said. Eight of the 10 Barbers and Beauticians who work in DOC facilities have already signed the stipulation and receive the payment.