Viola Pugliese spent 11 of her 17 years with the Police Dept. at the 61st Precinct in Brooklyn, near her home in Gravesend. A Police Administrative Aide, she worked as a telephone operator in the Complaint Room, dealing with difficult situations and individuals, always under constant pressure.

The demure 65-year-old grandmother is made of stern stuff. She made a habit of speaking up, despite the rigidly hierarchical culture of the agency.

Last year, 15 charges were filed against her, but in January, Local 1549 attorney Martin Druyan represented Ms. Pugliese at a hearing where the Police Dept. exonerated her of every one.

Department strikes back
In April, a telephone message left at her home said she was being transferred, effective immediately, to the 52nd Precinct in the Norwood section of the Bronx. The transfer appeared to be a punishment. Beginning the Monday after Easter, Ms. Pugliese began making daily trips to and from the Bronx — two and one-half hours each way. Leaving work at 11 p.m., she got home at 1:30 a.m. The stress of her journey aggravated certain physical ailments.

Ms. Pugliese turned to the union for help. Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549 and DC 37 responded. Grievance Rep Rhonda Spaulding filed a grievance. Executive Vice President Lenora Gates and Special Assistant Brett Koch met with her.

Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez got involved and DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts and Research and Negotiations Director Dennis Sullivan pitched in to help find a solution. She has now been transferred to Brooklyn’s 84th Precinct, cutting her travel time in half.

“It’s unbelievable,” she said. “I’m in awe that Eddie Rodriguez came with me to One Police Plaza. I was overwhelmed that they were all totally concerned. The union did a fantastic job. They were very caring.”

— Jane LaTour