Public Employee Press

7 Parks officers share $100,000 award

In the summer of 2000, Associate Urban Park Ranger Mario Carrillo spearheaded a campaign to end a longstanding injustice in the Parks Dept. For over 10 years, Mr. Carrillo, a 22-year veteran, had been ordered to perform the duties of higher-paid workers without getting the pay that went with the job.

Other AUPRs were also doing the work of Community Coordinators. “Sometimes we were given some overtime pay, and sometimes not,” he said. After three people were brought in and given both the higher title and the pay that went with it, Mr. Carrillo organized six of his fellow AUPRs to file a group grievance.

Now, the seven members of Motor Vehicle Operators Local 983 have been vindicated with payments totaling $100,000 in back pay. The grievance settlement with the Parks Dept. resulted in awards that range from $10,000 to $20,000. The amounts represent the difference between the salaries they actually earned as AUPRs and what they would have earned at the minimum rate for the Community Coordinator position.

“This is a big victory for us,” said Local 983 Vice President Joe Puleo. “They were being exploited, so this is a very satisfying win.” Blue Collar Division Council Rep Tony Mammalello said, “We put the agency in check. If the employees are going to do the work, they should get the money.”

Mr. Carrillo expressed his appreciation to the union for the work that went into winning the settlement. “I never really thought much about the union. But Local 983 Treasurer Tommy Testa and Joe Puleo did a fantastic job. I went to Tony Mammalello with the grievance and he actually started it with me. He handled the step 1 grievance and did a wonderful job. The union really came through for us.”

In addition to Mr. Carrillo, the six other members who are receiving awards are: Juan Bayron, Xhavid Berisha, Brenda Cruz, Victor Martinez, Henry Perez, and Robin Wickert.

With the $20,000 award, Mr. Carrillo was able to pay off his credit card debts and pay Catholic school fees for his sons Brandon, 11, and Evan, 7. “I have a feeling of satisfaction about winning because we made something happen,” he said.