Clerical Associate III Regina Butler was swept up by her job at the Jamaica Family Shelter. Since 1990, Ms. Butler has functioned as the Recreation Coordinator at the shelter, which is operated by the Dept. of Homeless Services.

“At first, I had a little room for arts and crafts and before you knew it, management saw that it was good for the kids,” she explained. The list of loving tasks she performed grew ever longer over the years. Her annual evaluations by her employer rated her as “an outstanding worker — willing to undertake any challenge — dedicated and conscientious.”

Despite the commitment and ingenuity of her job performance, her salary was tied to her job title. Ms. Butler is a member of Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549. In 2002, Clerical Division Rep Alpine James convinced Ms. Butler to file an out-of-title work grievance.

“I kept putting it off. But Alpine said, ‘Look, you’re doing this job.’ She convinced me that I deserved the higher pay. After that, I put it in her hands,” said Ms. Butler. Now her grievance has been settled and Ms. Butler is being compensated for the work she actually performs as Recreation Coordinator. She also received the difference between this rate and what she had been paid extending back to the date she filed her grievance.

“We’ve been working on this case a long time. Finally it’s paid off through the union’s perseverance,” said Ms. James. Assistant Clerical Division Director Eddie Gates supports this view. “This settlement proves the power of the members,” he said. “When they use the pen and the union contract, they win.”