Public Employee Press

Harlem Hospital clericals win their grievances

Recent grievance victories at Harlem Hospital have won a total of $10,000 in back pay for five clerical workers and pay hikes for some.

Local 1549 has several similar grievances under negotiation that it hopes to settle, said Rep Eugene Williams.

Williams handled the cases with Chief Shop Steward Crystal Edwards, Steward Terez Benjamin and the DC 37 Legal Dept.

Three of the grievants recently joined Williams and Edwards at the local's office at the hospital to celebrate their success.

Clerical Associate 2 Sebrina Singleton filed an out-of-title grievance after she was asked to train Employee Health Services workers who in some instances had higher titles.

"I am happy I had the union to help me out," said Clerical Associate Level 2 Shavonne Keith, who received an award after the union took her case to arbitration.

The arbitrator ordered the Health and Hospitals Corp. to give her the difference between Level 2 and Level 3 and pay her the higher rate if the work continues.

Clerical Associate Level II Arnetta Jackson won back pay and will receive the higher compensation under a settlement worked out by DC 37 attorney Thomas Cooke.

Jackson helps patients with difficult billing and insurance issues. She signed up for the job but soon became frustrated when she wasn't compensated fairly. HHC hasn't started to pay her the higher rate yet.

Williams noted that the HHC bureaucracy is known to move slowly. The union will "keep the pressure on to make sure settlements are implemented," he said.

In other grievances, Local 1549 members Cathia Jerome had a disciplinary action overturned and Hyacinth Joshua will receive a $1,500-a-year pay differential.