Volume 42 Number 10 November 2012

Ofcial Publication of Social Service Employees Union Local 371-DC 37 AFSCME, AFL-CIO

www.sseu371.org

Four More Years

he nation spoke this month, and it spoke clearly: President Barack Obama was re-elected. He will have four more years to nish what he started in 2009. The stakes were big in this election, as the Republican opposition made clear that if elected it would eliminate the social
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RESPONDING TO SANDY
A S CASA CaSEWORKER Trevor Gibbs went door-to-door in the Rockaways Nov. 4 with ofcials from FEMA and other response agencies, he had a sinking feeling that he was going to see the worst. Gibbs

Social Service Workers Save the Day

and other CASA workers were searching for elderly clients who were unaccounted for after Hurricane Sandy made landfall Oct. 29. He was nervous that he was going
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Teaching Robotics
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Solving Homelessness
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Leading NYCHA Seniors

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CALENDAR
NOVEMBER
19 Black Heritage Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 20 Delegate Assembly: 6:30 p.m. Advance Realty Building, 235 West 23rd Street in Manhattan 21 Alumni Association: 2:00 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 28 Womens Committee/Political Action Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor Civilians and Law Enforcement: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 15th Floor

Devastation, Hope and Solidarity

e are in the midst of recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy and her little sister, Noreaster Athena. Without question, it has been one of the most difcult times in the Citys history, given the loss of life and property, and the disruption of our daily routines. Our heartfelt prayers go out to all of those who have suffered during this terrible tragedy. Even during the bleakness, there are many stories of heroism and hope. Workers went to work in Emergency Shelters and facilities that operate 24 hours. Workers at the ACS Staten Island eld ofces collected money for displaced colleagues and workers at the ACS Queens eld ofces collected money to provide lunch for workers in the Far Rockaway Job Center living in darkness. There are many more untold stories of workers supporting each other, their families and communities. On behalf of this local, I thank you for all that you do, even under the most trying conditions. In the middle of all of this, there was the wonderful re-election of President Barack Obama. While his re-election means that he will continue to lead this country in the right direction, this victory means even more. First, the role of labor and particularly the leadership of AFSCME President Lee Saunders were crucial to the Presidents re-election. Labor supporters and our organizing skills were some of the determining factors. President Saunders committed the resources of the International to getting the President re-elected, and it worked. Furthermore, he committed himself personally, crisscrossing the country and appearing on many programs to state our message. He provided a blueprint for leadership: educate, organize and have a clear, consistent message. In the end, there was devastation, hope and solidarity, all in the span of a few weeks. Now we can get back to some sense of normalcy. And yes, we will ght like hell to get our leave time back. Our agenda has not changed: ght layoffs, protect our benets and get a contract that meets our needs. Together we continue to move forward. God bless you, and God bless the Union. Anthony Wells

29 SSEU Chapter: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor

DEcEMBER
3 5 BCW Chapter: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor Executive Committee: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor

12 Womens Committee/Political Action Committee Holiday Party: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 13 Committee of Concerned Social Workers 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 18 Alumni Association: 2:00 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor 19 Delegate Assembly: 6:30 p.m. Advance Realty Building, 235 West 23rd Street in Manhattan 20 Next Wave: 6:30 p.m. Union Ofce, 12th Floor

During the bleakness, there were many stories of heroism and hope.

Published monthly except for a combined issue in July/ August and a Supplement in January by the Social Service Employees Union Local 371, District Council 37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO. Subscription Price $2.00 annually. Periodical postage paid at New York, N.Y. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: The Unionist, SSEU Local 371, 817 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y. 10003. USPS# 348990 (212) 677-3900 ISSN# 0041-7092 President Anthony Wells Executive Vice President Yolanda Pumarejo Secretary-Treasurer Joe Nazario V.P. Negotiations & Research Rose Lovaglio-Miller V.P. Organization & Education Armenta Weekes V.P. Grievances & Legal Services Lloyd Permaul V.P. Publicity & Community Relations Patricia Chardavoyne V.P. Legislation & Political Action Michelle Akyempong Trustees Vincent Ciccarello Yolanda DeJesus Melva Scarborough Editor Ari Paul Visit us on the web at www.sseu371.org

EDUCATIONAL FUND/PREP COURSE

The Educational Fund will offer a Civil Service Examination Preparation Course for SSEU Local 371 members for the Juvenile Counselor Exam #3000, scheduled for the week of January 7, 2013. The course will consist of three sessions. Please sign up for one of the sessions by going to our website (www. sseu371.org) and submitting your information online. For any questions, please call (212) 777-9000 ext. 3065. The sessions will be held on the following dates: Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Location: SSEU Local 371, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10003

The Unionist | November 2012

RESPONDING TO SANDY

Social Service Workers Save the Day

in evacuation shelters. I gured someone could use my assistance, she said, noting that she had worked in shelters after the 9/11 attacks. Grifth performed a variety of duties at the shelter, rst at P.S. 5 and then later at Hunter College. She did intake, escorted clients, assigned people to beds, monitored food distribution and checked to see if people needed medical attention. Bringing Assistance With many City workers HRA workers gathered with FEMA responders in the Rockaways. going without a raise for years Along with the other reand with toxic rhetoric on the sponders, Gibbs found several But she noted that it was just things go forward. CASA clients who were in dire airwaves blaming public-sector as important for social service In this time of unbelievable workers for budget problems, need of help, including one workers who could get to work devastation, public servants Grifth hoped that the serelderly man stranded on the to keep those services going in exhibited extraordinary vice workers like her provided 25th oor; responders were the week after the storm. dedication to public service, during the disaster would help able to bring him down to the Unfortunately, this Union President Anthony Wells said. change the perception of public and other unions will have to ground and Gibbs helped him Too often, the City and the workers. get food and shelter. In other address a major problem with mainstream press do not recResidents said they were ap- leave time, as many workers cases, CASA workers helped ognize the work that we do. preciative, she recalled. stranded clients receive their who physically could not get to And sometimes, we forget that Grifth added that she public benets. their locations could face a loss it is not our civil service title As for the other unaccounted encouraged other co-workers of leave time. that denes us, but rather the for clients, many of them were who couldnt make it to their value of the service that we Going Forward helped out by family members locations to go to shelters, provide. Lets hope that this and several of them did simiand found shelter elsewhere. experience serves as a teachThe Union will keep memBut the thought of clients who lar work at Lehman College. able moment. bers updated on this matter as were without family or other assistance shook Gibbs to his core. He said that after going to the Rockaways he had trouble sleeping. Gibbs was just one of many SSEU Local 371 members who displayed civil service heroism simply by doing what social service workers are trained to do. Our members worked alongside other unionized workers in the evacuation shelters, and if they were able to get to work, they kept social services running for people who cant afford to miss them for even a day. Senior Fraud Investigator Romania Grifth could not get to her downtown Brooklyn HRA center the day after the storm, so she took it upon herself to work Romania Grifn took it upon herself to work in the shelters.
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to nd a client who died in the storm. I hoped that didnt happen and it didnt, he recalled. But it was a traumatic experience nonetheless. Gibbs said the devastation in the neighborhood was beyond what he had expected or saw on the news. It was very overwhelming, he said. I didnt know it was that bad.

November 2012 | The Unionist

Dave Sanders

What a Second Term Means for Labor

Clarence Elie-Rivera

Vice President Joe Biden spoke at the AFSCME convention this summer in Los Angeles.
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White House Photo

President Barack Obama: Working for labor.

services millions of Americans depend on and keep people like SSEU Local 371 members at work. As Lee Saundersthe leader of our parent union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employeessaid after the election, Working families re-elected President Barack Obama, giving him added strength in the ght to create jobs and opportunity. The voters have given a mandate to protect vital programs like Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid, and strengthen the middle class.

Labors Role
In fact, the New York Times credited major labor leaders like President Saunders for mobilizing efforts in states like Ohio. The paper reported, Sixty percent of voters from union households in Ohio voted for Mr. Obama, higher than the 50 percent that Mr. Obama received over all from Ohio voters, according to exit polls that had not been completed. Union households accounted for 22 percent of Ohios voters. In Wisconsin, voters from union households
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made up 21 percent of the electorate, and they voted for Mr. Obama over Mr. Romney, 66 percent to 33 percent. Theres no doubt about it: Labor made this election and our votes were not for sale. We also faced and defeated a great challenge to voting rights this year, said Vice President of Political Action Michelle Akyempong. Conservative activists sought to suppress voters from low-income communities and people of color with dubious voter ID laws. Despite their efforts in swing states that were rich in electoral votes, President Obama carried 27 states and 332 electoral votes, handing him a decisive victory. President Obamas rst term had many notable achievements for labor and working people, including the historic healthcare reform bill and the rescue of the American auto industry. At the AFSCME convention this summer in Los Angeles, Vice President Joe Biden was on hand to address the delegates, noting that the right has been waging a war on publicsector workers. His presence signied a

promise that he and President Obama would spend another four years defending workers from this attack.

Member Involvement
We are hopeful for more positive change for workers in both the public and private sectors, said President Anthony Wells. We will continue to work with our parent union on how to best press for new Federal policies that will help working people. But most of all, we need members to keep their commitment going. We won this election because union members took time out of their lives to knock on doors, call up voters and work the polls. Come to political action committee meetings on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Unions headquarters. Learn about political issues that affect members. Bring suggestions and ideas. Together, we can hold politicians accountable. Labor cant do this work without the members active involvement. The members are what make SSEU Local 371 a mighty, mighty union.
The Unionist | November 2012

On ThE FROnT LInES

or the last year and half, Albert Davis, a Community Resource Coordinator at the Zimmerman Center for Recreational Robotics in the Bronx, has been teaching robotics to school children in hopes of raising a new generation of scientists and general experts in the world of gizmos. An SSEU Local 371 member and Department of Parks and Recreation worker for the last 12 years, Davis currently teaches 60 public school children between Fourth and Eighth Grades, teaching them basic robotics skills and lets them experiment in building their own machines. There are currently two other programs such as this in the city, one in Manhattan and one in Staten Island.

Teaching Robotics for the Next Generation

Davis currently teaches 60 public school children between Fourth and Eighth Grades, teaching them basic robotics skills and lets them experiment in building their own machines...I saw the value of it pretty quickly, teaching kids, Davis said...

Perfect
I saw the value of it pretty quickly, teaching kids, Davis said when he moved into his facility in a small, quiet Bronx playground. I came over and saw it and I said, Perfect. Davis, who worked as a computer programmer in the private sector before coming to the civil service, said that his program is part of a general effort to increase education in STEM, which stands for Science,
Ari Paul

them the opportunity to discover their skills outside of a purely academic setting. Davis noted that when children enjoy this and excel at it, he can explain that this is actually the type of work scientists do, hoping that maybe theyll pursue this type of education in a more serious way.

Helping Schools
Albert Davis: Training young minds.

Technology, Engineering and Math. Its a nice buzzword, but what does it mean? Davis asked rhetorically when he spoke about his teaching program. He noted that bringing in the children to play and explore with robotics gives

The ocers and sta of SSEU Local 371 wish all of our members and their families a Happy Thanksgiving.

Whats more, his program is giving the schools a chance to see how important this program is in hopes that the Department of Education might enhance its robotics training. The schools get to see this. They come here for free, Davis said. They see the value of it and then they want to expand this in schools. He added that the Parks Department was committed to the program, and that funding for his program came directly from the budget and wasnt a part of a grant process. To their credit, the agency is promoting education, Davis said. Theyve put in a signicant investment.

A Sense of Community
Davis comes from the private sector, but he enjoys this work more. I have a strong sense of community, he said. The private sector was fun, but I was missing something. That something was the feeling of pride he gets when school children are working collaboratively on projects, putting their minds to work on robotics, without a teacher pressing them on to do so just for a good grade. When a bunch of kids are around the table, fully engaged, youre just like Yeah, this is good stuff, he said.
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November 2012 | The Unionist

ThE HOMElESS CRISIS

Shelter Staff See the Problems, and Know the Solutions

here is no question that with the economic downturn in New York City, which has brought about an increase in unemployment and a reduction of social services for people in need, there has been an increase in homelessness, both in terms of how long people stay in City shelters and how many clients there are. City leaders dont seem to understand what the problem is. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, when questioned about the issue, trivialized the crisis saying, We have made our shelter system so much better that, unfortunately, when people are in itor fortunately, depending on what your objective isit is a much more pleasurable experience than they ever had before. Thats right: The Mayor, the citys richest resident, blames the shelters for being too luxurious. But the people on the front lines know what the real issues are. For many SSEU Local 371 members

In September, City Council Members questioned DHS Commissioner Seth Diamond at a public hearing about homelessness, in which lawmakers pushed the issue of more social service programs and the ability to move clients into affordable housing.
working at the Department of Homeless Services, xing homelessness isnt so much about conguring the agency, but solving issues of affordable housing, unemployment and social services in general. For many, getting residents out of the shelter will mean more public housing and easier ways for shelter staff to move homeless people in places like Single Room Occupancy hotels. Theres no movement out, said George Gomez, a Program Coordinator at the Barbara S. Kleiman shelter in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. I cant call up an SRO and say, Hey, I got a good guy, get me a room to rent. Olwen DeSouza-Glen, a Social Service Director at the shelter, noted that a reduction in staff has made it harder for shelter to address clients needs, pointing out that in 2003 there were eight Caseworkers, and there are now only four. The shelter has 200 clients. When you have Caseworkers, you have more time to give intensive consulting to each client, she said. DeSouza-Glen added that the social service component to homeless care was critical. It is one thing to give someone a bed for a night, she said, but the system needs more programs to get people help with substance abuse or help getting an education.

Say What?

Ted Baker

reduce the strain on the homeless shelters. He added that some things have improved. Its changed, he said of the shelter population. The ghts have gone down.

Council Is Involved
SSEU Local 371 members who work in DHS are not the only people who recognize the problem. In September, City Council Members questioned DHS Commissioner Seth Diamond at a public hearing about homelessness, in which lawmakers pushed the issue of more social service programs and the ability to move clients into affordable housing. A City Council report noted that in just less than a year, the number of adult families with children increased by 8.34 percent from 8,277 to 9,030; the number of adult families increased by 18.18 percent from 1,341 to 1,639; the total number of families increased by 9.85 percent from 9,618 to 10,669...and the total number of
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Staff Needed
We need the social service staff to maintain this as a program, she said. Ted Baker, a Community Assistant at the shelter and a Union Delegate, reiterated the need for more affordable housing to

George Gomez
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The Unionist | November 2012

Photos: Ari Paul

t was years in the making, but for Floyd Cohen, an SSEU Local 371 member and Director of Frederick Douglass Houses, it was only the beginning. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Oct. 24 at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island for an installation of ceramic work by seniors at the center, who are residents of New York City Housing Authority facilities. Cohen had collaborated with arts groups to help seniors at the center create the art work.

MURAL OF HONOR I
crafts were sent to children in India and China. When Cohen saw how popular the project was, he knew it was time to get seniors together for another project that would be on display. This time, the work with its aquatic creature theme has found a home around the real sea creatures, which Aquarium goers will see on display when they venture toward the outdoor arena. It seemed like a good t, Cohen said before the ceremony. It isnt just the joy of seeing something like this that makes Cohen proud, but the joy the seniors got from working on an art project over time. It gave them a great feeling of self-esteem, Cohen said. It keeps them going. This prolongs their quality of life. Its a psychological boost for them.

Doing His Job

Like many SSEU Local 371 members in community titles in NYCHA, this is his role: to foster a sense of community among residents. This is why the Union values the social services at these facilities. Cohen said that the Aquarium has agreed to work with him again on other murals and collages in the future. This is only the beginning, he said.

Like many SSEU Local 371 members in community titles in NYCHA, this is his [Cohens] role: to foster a sense of community among residents.

An Idea with History

The idea came four years ago when seniors worked on a similar project where ceramic

Seniors from the Frederick Douglass Houses celebrated the ribbon cutting for their mural.
November 2012 | The Unionist 7

Ari Paul

Condolences
Condolences are extended to Nancy Ruiz, Receptionist at SSEU Local 371, on the death of her Mother, Cruz Gonzalez-Mendez, who died Nov. 7. Condolences can be sent to Nancy Ruiz, 817 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10003. Condolences are extended to Shirley Gray, Executive Assistant to President Anthony Wells at SSEU Local 371, on the death of her brother, Tony M. Gray, who died Nov. 6. Condolences can be sent to Shirley Gray, 817 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10003. Condolences are extended to Jose Negron, Fraud Investigator, at HRA/BEV in LIC, NY on the death of his father, Mr. Gumersindo Negron, who died Oct. 3. Condolences can be sent to Mr. Jose Negron HRA/BEV, 45-22 32nd Place, Long Island City, NY 11101. Condolences are extended to Denise Barr of the SSEU Local 371 Welfare Fund, on the death of her uncle, Walter E. Phifer, who died Oct. 23. Condolences can be sent to Denise Barr, SSEU Local 371 Welfare Fund, 817 Broadway, 15th Fl., New York, NY 10003. Condolences are extended to Kirby Lindell, Sup II at FIA/Employment Services at 109 E. 16th St. in Manhattan, on the death of his aunt, Mary Lewis. Condolences can be sent to 226-10 88th Ave., Bellerose Manor, NY 11427.
Social Service Employees Union Local 371 817 Broadway New York, N.Y. 10003

Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY

The Homeless Crisis

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Congratulations
Congratulations to Rodney Williams, Clerical staff at SSEU Local 371, on the birth of his son, Jevon Carter Washington Williams, Nov. 5.

children increased by 10.87 percent from 15,964 to 17,911. City Council Member Brad Lander noted that the average length of stay in a DHS shelter is 356 days, up from 241 in 2010. Its galling for New York City to have this increase, Lander said. He made sharp remarks to the Commissioner: Youre putting your head in the sand at about it. Caroline Nagy, a policy associate for housing and homelessness at the Citizens Committee for Children, testied to the City

Council, making several recommendations for creating alternatives to shelters, including granting homeless families prioritized access to [New York City Housing Authority] public housing units, and to increase the supply of supportive housing. She also called for creating a new housing subsidy for homeless families. While housing subsidy programs may seem expensive, they are more cost-effective than shelter, Nagy said. The cost of shelter is $3,000 per month compared to the cost of a rental subsidy, which would be approximately $1,000 per month.

BULLETIN BOARD
SWAP- Job Opportunity Specialist at Crotona

Members

Job Center #46 in the Bronx would like to swap with Caseworker at Queens Center #53, 43-00 Northern Blvd, LIC or Queens FSCC Satellite, 3400 Northern Blvd, LIC or East River Queens #37, One Honeywell Street, LIC. If interested, please call (718) 901-4583.

Crisis Intervention Unit

In the September issue of The Unionist we reported on the Unions new Crisis Intervention Unit, available for members in their workplaces. Since then, workers around the City have been facing a devastating crisis: the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. In response to Hurricane Sandy, CIU services are available. For referrals and outreach services, contact Alexis Davis at (212) 7779000, ext. 3068.

Olwen DeSouza-Glen (right) spoke about the need for social services in the homeless shelters.
8 The Unionist | November 2012