Michael Cassar bought a house. Theodore Pollack took his bride on a honeymoon. The two Watershed Maintainers earned the money over several years, working on the Dept. of Environmental Protection Haz-Mat team.

But Cassar and Pollack actually got their pay this spring after DC 37 and Local 376 settled their protracted out-of-title grievances for more than $150,000.

“I could not have won this battle without my union,” said Mr. Casser, who works at the Croton Reservoir. “Although the DEP and the New York Fire Dept. trained the two extensively on emergency response procedures, the agency never promoted them or compensated them for their skills,” explained Local 376 President Gene DeMartino.

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the city beefed up security and implemented detailed emergency response procedures to protect upstate reservoirs. To handle possible chemical or biological attacks, Cassar and Pollack learned to respond to hazardous waste spills and anthrax and follow high-risk emergency and rescue procedures.

Blue Collar Council Rep David Catala filed the grievances, Local 376 leaders and DC 37 lawyer Fausto Zapata met with DEP supervisor Lyn Sedowsky.

The agency later agreed the Croton employees were performing duties beyond their job descriptions. DEP promoted Mr. Cassar and Mr. Pollack to Construction Project Manager Level 2, a title represented by Civil Service Technical Guild Local 375.

Although the two are no longer Local 376 members, Pres. DeMartino said, “The local pursued this out-of-title grievance as we would do for any of our members. These men did a job they deserved to be compensated for. Despite setbacks and obstacles, their patience and persistence paid off in a big way.”

What YOU can do: If you feel you are doing the job of higher-paid workers, talk to your union officers, shop steward or rep as soon as possible. “And don’t depend on management for fair treatment,” said Mr. DeMartino.

— Diane S. Williams