Public Employee Press

Two Mortuary Techs get $42,000 in back pay

Two Mortuary Technicians in Local 420 received a combined $42,000 in back pay after Assistant Commissioner Arthur Aronson discovered a payroll
error that had shorted the workers by thousands of dollars a year.

"This is a rare occurrence," said DC 37 Hospitals Division Grievance Rep Sharon Bankhead, who tracked the reimbursements and salary adjustments. "Although we were prepared to, the union did not have to file a grievance for these members," she said.

In May, DC 37 and Local 420 negotiated to save union members' jobs at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Aronson was reviewing the agency's budget and salaries when he found the error.

OCME cut hefty checks to compensate Mortuary Technicians Matthew Figueroa and Victor Gonzalez for what they had lost. Mortuary Techs respond to the scenes of death and transport bodies to borough OCME offices, where they assist with autopsies.

Six-year Tech Gonzalez credits the union for straightening out the payroll problem without the need for a grievance and he is glad the assistant commissioner, willingly adjusted his salary. Over the years, the difference in pay added up to about $20,000 before taxes. Gonzalez said, "This turned out to be a really good thing. The money came in handy and I was able to pay some bills."