May

Volume 39 • Number 5 May 2009

Charles Brown

Union Denounces Layoffs, Program Cuts in ACS and Other Agencies

Jessica Ramos

NYC Comptroller William Thompson Speaks Against Budget Cuts at PAC Meeting Story on page 3 TV Reporter Melissa Russo interviewed ACS workers Deatrice Wilson and Lucy Lane for her NBC News Channel 4 story.

Union Organizing Drive for Addiction Counselors Comes to Vote

Story on page 4

Happy 90th Pete! Pete Seeger turned 90 on May 3, and his birthday was celebrated by a sold out crowd at Madison Square Garden. They came to honor a man who never sold-out, a man who is the greatest ambassador of peace and social justice through music alive today. A campaign is underway to secure the Nobel Peace Prize for Seeger.

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ayor Bloomberg announced his fiscal year 2010 budget on May 1, May Day, and it was bad news for workers and the clients they serve. The Mayor proposed a total headcount reduction of 13,500 — 3,759 through layoffs, and the rest through attrition. In addition, he included savings of $200 million to come from health benefit givebacks and $200 million from a Tier 5 pension. By far, the largest number of Local 371 layoffs are scheduled for the Administration for Children’s Services, where children will be put at additional risk. Local 371 layoffs are also scheduled in the Department of Homeless Services, with the contracting out of the Family Hotel Program; the Health and Hospitals Corporation, with the closing of a number of clinics; the Department of Records; Department of Youth and Community Development; and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. The proposed effective date is June 27, 2009, before the start of the fiscal year on July l. ACS is planning to eliminate 1,100 positions through attrition and layoffs, including 349 layoffs of Local 371 members. In addi-

tion 159 members are scheduled to be laid off because of State approval of the Improved Outcomes for Children (IOC) initiative. ACS will be filling 84 positions in IOC and hiring Child Protective Workers while these layoffs are in progress. “It is unconscionable that the agency could hire at the same time it is laying off workers and not fill the available slots with workers who will be laid off,” said Union President Faye Moore. The Union met with the agency on April 29. “At risk” layoff notification letters were scheduled to be sent out May 8 to the 349 non-IOC workers in ACS, ironically the same day ACS held its Employee Recognition event for 2009 (the letters were delayed and sent on May 12). The Mayor took threatened layoffs in protective services off the table after the press broke the story and he appeared on television and admitted he had committed to adequate staffing to keep caseloads down. The Union continues to battle to save the ACS jobs. ACS worker Deatrice Wilson and Union President Faye Moore appeared on NBC Channel 4 (see story on Page 5) Continued on page 4

s r e k r o W c li b u P f f O g Layin Is a Bad Idea ile at the lay off public workers wh hy would New York City blic eet executives? Laying pu Str all W for s job g kin see same time Workers omy doesn’t make sense. on ec ing ail an in off rs worke on its feet. lp the economy get back he d en sp to y ne mo th wi jobs and health gs, etc. Workers without hin nis fur d, foo s, car w ne urance They buy king unemployment ins see en oft y, om on ec the rkers care may further strain aid. Also, social service wo nt me rn ve go er oth d an benefits, Medicaid, es in child critical preventive servic ng idi ov pr le, ub tro of t keep others ou here. less programs, and elsew welfare programs, home te over 600 Local 371 n is planning to elimina tio tra nis mi Ad ty Ci e and Th rcent of our membership pe 4 y arl ne — er mb nu titles, an inordinate layoff notices City workers receiving of er mb nu al tot e th of over 50 percent proposed for the the Local 371 layoffs are of 0 50 er Ov d. un ro nt planned in the curre a significant number are t bu s, ce rvi Se ’s ren ild , and the Administration for Ch s, HHC, HPD, DYCD ce rvi Se s les me Ho of t tical to the for the Departmen many workers that are cri is th ng tti Cu s. rd co Re Department of are other ways to is unconscionable. There es vic ser ide ov pr to y City’s abilit us cuts. these cruel and dangero ild welfare raise funds that will avoid S will effectively end ch AC in ts cu ram og pr d The layoffs an professionals 500 trained child welfare er ov ng tti pu es sid Be as we know it. programs, nates preventive ser vice mi eli al os op pr e th t, ee t ser vices on the str lities and slashes suppor ibi ns po res nt me ge na contracts out case ma iting of center for supervised vis a tes na mi eli It rs. rke for protective wo o as a model, at was hailed not long ag th ts ren pa eir th d an foster children respected program cation units. It slashes a nifi reu g lin sib tes na mi and it eli r hearings, day care, court liaison workers, fai ts cu d an ts ren pa ge na nsibilit y for tee Case management respo g. kin ma me ho d an on family preservati to further the eliminated at this time ing be o als is ren ild ch for all foster ounts for 159 of the ren initiative which acc ild Ch for s me tco Ou Improved t children and their ram cuts and layoffs pu og pr ese th d, tol l Al s. layoff vices back by decades. families at risk and set ser is budget would the ser vice losses that th d an ses los job e th th Along wi its workers, its age of a City that forces im an t lef be uld wo ere that none create, th en of a failing economy rd bu e th r lde ou sh to poor and its children creating. of them had any part in –Faye Moore

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President Faye Moore

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Along with the job losses and the service losses that this budget would create, there would be left an image of a City that forces its workers, its poor and its children to shoulder the burden of a failing economy that none of them had any part in creating.

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The Unionist | May 2009

Mayoral Candidate Thompson Visits Local 371 PAC

Photos: Charles Brown

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ew York City Comptroller William Thompson, a Democratic candidate for Mayor, visited Local 371’s Political Action Committee (PAC) on April 22 to address the budgetary issues pummeling the City’s economy. Thompson cited overpriced homes and bad loans as key reasons why the budget is in trouble. “The budget cannot be balanced on our backs alone. We need to tax wealthy New Yorkers. Everyone has to pay their fair share,” Thompson said to a crowded room of about 75 Local 371 members. Thompson praised Vice President Michelle Akyempong and members of the Committee for urging City Councilmembers to stop close to 7,000 City workers from being laid off. Members of the audience asked Thompson several questions, including his position on City pensions, which are often placed under scrutiny during budgetary crises. “You Thompson responds to a question from an won’t hear audience member. me out there demonizing City pensions because the reality is you would make more money in the private sector,” he responded. “The average City pension is not going to allow you to retire in luxury.” He later added that everyone’s City pensions are safe and currently being

25 Years Ago – May 1984

“Workers in Special Services for Children have once again come under attack in the media with the release April 24 of an HRA Inspector General’s report criticizing the handling of 22 cases in the Brooklyn Field Office between 1978 and 1981...In a statement released to the press, President Charles Ensley stated, “The release of this kind of report gives the wrong impression of our workers in SSC. Our workers are doing the most extraordinary job under the most difficult circumstances. The IG’s report diverts attention from the critical issue which is the severe and chronic understaffing in SSC....The Union has been warning that more staff is an absolute necessity to fulfill the legal and moral mandates required to protect children...The real crime is not the failure of the workers, but the failure of the City to allocate the resources to do the job.”

May 2009 | The Unionist

CALENDAR May

Union members questioned Thompson on a variety of issues.

invested in affordable housing, meaning the money is being put to good use now. In discussing the affordable housing crisis, Thompson spoke about his daughter who, upon graduating from college, was forced to move in with a roommate in Jersey City because she couldn’t afford a New York City apartment. Thompson added that he would also support a citywide inclusionary zone to ensure affordable housing is a part of every city project. Thompson, a former president of the Board of Education, said he supports charter schools as long as teachers are unionized. As president of the Board of Education, he also did away with decentralization and brought focus to the children. He expressed a personal concern about New York City students’ performances on biennial federal exams, where they have fallen flat for the past four years. Many Local 371 members signed up to volunteer on the Thompson for Mayor campaign. If interested, campaign headquarters can be reached at (212) 608-6555. – Jessica Ramos

20 Years Ago – May 1989

“Union Gains Commitment from HRA for Extensive Cleanup of Asbestos Hazards at 625 Fulton Street Work Location The Union at a May 10 labor-management meeting won commitments from the Human Resources Administration to conduct an extensive asbestos operations and maintenance program on the 6th Floor of 625 Fulton Street in Brooklyn until all the asbestos at that location is removed or abated.”

15 Years Ago – May 1994

“Agreeing with the Union’s position on the critical importance of the Division of AIDS Services, the Giuliani Administration has spared 750 workers serving 16,000 clients with AIDS from the budget ax. The Union has been battling to save this program through two administrations, and once again its efforts have been successful.”

19 Alumni Association Meeting: 2 p.m. Union Office 12th Floor BCW Chapter Meeting: 6:30 p.m. School of the Future, 127 East 22nd Street in Manhattan 20 Delegate Assembly: 6:30 p.m. 235 West 23rd Street in Manhattan 25 Memorial Day (an official City holiday) 27 Political Action Committee Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office 12th Floor Civilians in Law Enforcement Chapter Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office 15th Floor 28 Latino Heritage Committee Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office 12th Floor

June 3 8 9 10 16 17 18 19

Executive Committee Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office 12th Floor General Membership Meeting: 6:30 p.m. 235 West 23rd Street in Manhattan Committee of Concerned Social Workers Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office 12th Floor Women’s Committee Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office 12th Floor Alumni Association Meeting: 2 p.m. Union Office 12th Floor Delegate Assembly: 6:30 p.m. 235 West 23rd Street in Manhattan Latino Heritage Committee Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Union Office 12th Floor Caribbean Heritage Celebration: 5:30 p.m. DC37 125 Barclay Street in Manhattan

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 Faye Moore Executive Vice President Yolanda Pumarejo Secretary-Treasurer Joe Nazario V.P. Negotiations & Research Anthony Wells V.P. Organization & Education Beverly Mallory Brown V.P. Grievances & Legal Services Lloyd Permaul V.P. Legislation & Political Action Michelle Akyempong V.P. Publicity & Community Relations Michelle Conklin Trustees Michael Ballesteros Yolanda DeJesus Melva Scarborough Editor Martin Fishgold Director of Communications Linda Schleicher Photographer Charles Brown Editorial Associate Jessica Ramos Visit us on the web at www.sseu371.org

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Union Denounces Layoffs Continued from page 1

and Moore was quoted in an article in The New York Times. The Union has organized a letter-writing campaign (see Page 5) and an ad campaign, including buttons that say “ACS Cuts Hurt Children” (see graphic on Page 5). The buttons will be distributed at a City Council Budget Hearing on Tuesday, May 26 in the Council Chambers that the Union is urging members to attend. The hearing will focus on HRA at 10:00 a.m., ACS at noon, and DHS at 2:00 p.m. In the Department of Homeless Services, 174 formerly targeted workers in Community titles have been spared. At the same time, the Family Hotel Program is being eliminated, and 24 Supervisor I lines, 19 Caseworker lines, and 13 Community Liaison Title Series Worker lines are being eliminated, with the resulting bumping and layoffs, if the budget is passed in its present form (see story above right). In the HHC, 19 Local 371 members in a variety of titles are scheduled to be laid off due to the closing of a number of clinics around the City. In HPD, 16 workers are at risk, in the Department of Records nine Community Assistants are targeted for layoff, and in DYCD seven workers are at risk. In Mayoral agencies, the layoff procedure involves bumping of workers from higher titles to lower ones and transfers of permanent workers to replace provisionals in the same title across agency lines – which will result in a lot of movement and disruption for workers who are remaining. Seniority for layoff purposes for competitive titles is based on the first day an employee is appointed permanently from a civil service list; for non-competitive titles, seniority is based on time in title in the affected agency.

174 DHS Jobs Saved, Fight Continues many Local 371 members showed up at the City Council budget hearing March 23, where President Faye Moore testified against social services cuts. Since then, the jobs of 174 Community Assistants have been taken off the chopping block. Community Assistants provide direct services to the homeless population in City shelters, maintaining a clean, safe environment for an often fragile population. The loss of these jobs would have put career civil servants, with more than 15 years of experience, out of work. However, other job cuts in DHS are planned, including the elimination of Local 371 workers in the Hotel Program. The program is staffed by Supervisor I (Social Services) workers that help families find permanent housing and jobs, and deal with underlying issues including domestic violence and substance abuse. If civil service workers in the Hotel Program are eliminated, the private hotel owners will be responsible for providing social services.

Something Is Rotten in NYCHA When the New York City Housing Authority laid off 132 workers last February, some got jobs in other City agencies and in the private contract agencies that took over the operations. At the time, the City closed down several youth and senior centers throughout the City and contracted out work previously done by Local 371 members. The City promised that the centers would run smoothly. According to Sadie Sanders, chair of the Community Service Workers Chapter and a Community Coordinator in Howard Houses Community Center in Brooklyn, many centers have been left with one year-round NYCHA worker when there were two or three in those centers in the

Addiction Counselors To Vote on Union Representation Nearly 80 credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselors (CASACs) working for NADAP (National Association on Drug Abuse Programs), a private agency, will vote May 21 on whether they want to be represented by Local 371. Local 371 and DC 37 submitted a petition to the NLRB last month seeking to represent these private agency workers. The City’s Human Resources Administration 4

DHS plans to re-assign 12 permanent Sup. I’s from the Hotel Program to backfill vacancies within the agency. Letters went out to 24 provisional Sup. I’s, stating their jobs are at risk of being eliminated after June 27. Six of the 24 at-risk supervisors are pure provisionals, with no underlying civil service title to fall back on. Of the remaining workers, 16 would revert back to their Caseworker title, and 2 would revert back to their Fraud Investigator title. DHS also plans to eliminate 19 permanent Caseworker positions, 9 Community Liaison Workers, 3 Senior CLW’s, 1 Prinicipal CLW, and 2 Fraud Investigators. If workers are laid off, they will be placed on a special transfer list, and will displace any provisional workers in their title in other Mayoral agencies. Any laid-off workers who do not transfer to other agencies will be placed on a preferred list for their title. The Union continues to fight to preserve these jobs, and will be meeting with DHS regarding the proposed layoffs.

(HRA) contracted with NADAP to provide services of CASAC workers, who would fall under Local 371’s Counselor (Addiction Treatment) or Addiction Counselor titles if they worked for a City agency. For several years, these CASACs have worked alongside Local 371 members in HRA agencies in every borough except Staten Island. Despite their hard work and professionalism, they have been forced to

past. Sanders says that although the same programs are continuing in those centers, there is a “severe staffing shortage” that is not helped much by the non-union, underpaid consultants hired by NYCHA to work 20 hours a week without benefits in some of the centers. “We are not allowed to leave these consultants alone in the centers with the children. We can’t leave the center for our scheduled lunch because there are ongoing programs.” Most of the Community Associates working in the senior programs work alone and also cannot take a break or leave the center for scheduled meals. There will be a more detailed story on these problems in the June issue of The Unionist. endure the substandard wages and benefits that come with non-union employment. Local 371 President Faye Moore remarked, “If the City is going to continue to contract out work that our members have been doing, the City should expect that we will organize those workers too.” Voting will take place at the New York Film Academy on 17th Street and Park Avenue in Manhattan from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m., and from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Unionist | May 2009

Union Denounces Child Welfare Cuts in the Media

May 2009 | The Unionist

Jessica Ramos

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ocal 371’s campaign to stop the City from laying off hundreds of child welfare preventive and protective workers is attracting extensive media coverage. NBC’s Chuck Scarborough and Melissa Russo interviewed President Faye Moore and Child Protective Specialist Deatrice Wilson on Scarborough’s 7:00 p.m. news show on April 22. Earlier, Russo reported on NBC’s 6:00 p.m. Evening News that according to new information more than 100 protective service workers were being added to the 516 preventive workers already on the chopping block. Russo interviewed Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Wilson on the 6:00 p.m. local news show. Wilson, who was interviewed earlier in the day by Russo in the Union office, has worked for ACS for 16 years. She says she’s seen a lot of changes in that time. “When you take workers away, you’re putting families at risk. I have 14 cases now, and it’s a lot. They come in as education neglect cases, but there’s usually more to it than not going to school, like parents and children with drug abuse, financial problems, physical abuse. It’s a big responsibility because you’re caring for someone else’s life besides your own.” When Russo asked her if she had anything to say to Mayor Bloomberg, she stated: “Please do not lay off these 100 people. They’re needed. Families will suffer.” President Moore told Russo that she was “disappointed and angry” when she learned of the plan to layoff more than 100 protective service workers in addition to the 516 preventive workers already slated for layoffs. “They are shredding child welfare as we know it,” said Moore. “The City needs to move away from layoffs and make cuts in other areas. The cuts that are scheduled are all for direct services for children and families. We know from past experience that if you don’t have sufficient workers, children are more at risk of serious harm or death.” (The Mayor subsequently took the protective services cuts off the table.)

Local 371 President Faye Moore is interviewed by Melissa Russo for NBC News Channel 4.

Union Initiates Letter-Writing Campaign to Save Jobs The following is a sample letter to members of the New York City Council urging them to stop layoffs and program cuts. Use any parts of the sample letter to write to your Councilmember. You may find out who represents you in the City Council by visiting the unionist website www.sseu371.org.

Dear Councilmember (fill in your Cou ncilm

ember’s name): I am writing this letter to inform you of how outraged I am in hearing that Mayor Bloomberg is cutting our Civ il Service jobs in ACS, DHS, and the Community Centers. Some of us hav e worked for 15 years or more for the City of New York. As public employees we have been placed in harms way. We do it because we are passionate about help ing those in need of services. We have stabilized families whose chil dren would have been removed permanently; and we have removed children from homes that were not safe for them. We have referred teens to plac es where they are given the opportu nity for a second chance. We have kept shel ters clean, orderly and safe. We hav e kept the youth off the street corners, assisted their parents by being homework help ers, babysitters and Counselors. The you th enjoy being part of community acti vities in their neighborhoods with adults they know. We make sure families obt ain day care for their toddlers. (Fill in your wor k program or services received) How is it possible to lay off over six hundred employees? Our families, communities and those left behind to do the work, will be greatly affected . This is Union busting!!! Why are the cuts almost solely to social service program s? These cuts adversely affect commun ities of color and women. These two groups are the target of social service job layo ffs. The Improved Outcomes for Childre n program (IOC) has received millions of dollars. Why wasn’t this program defunded? This money could have been allocated for social service program s to save our jobs. (Use if applicable) As a City Councilmember you are to look out for the best interest of the community and its constituents. No w is the time to assist your (fill in wha t community you reside in. ie. Bed ford Stuyvesant) community and con stitu ents. We are requesting you to look at the budget for FY’10 and tell the Mayor and your fellow Councilmembers NYC cannot afford to have us unemploye d. Sincerely, Print & Sign Name & Address

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Caribbean Heritage to be Celebrated June 19 Local 371 will celebrate Caribbean Heritage on Friday, June 19 with traditional food and music. The program begins at 5:30 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Pedro Noguera, a professor of teaching and learning at NYU who has focused on researching economic and social development in the Caribbean and Latin America. World-renowned calypso singer Lord Nelson, Brooklyn’s own reggae singers Anisha and Empress Tanisha, and soca singer Raymo will perform. Lord Nelson, a

Official Chapter Election Notices (Rescheduled)

Official 15-day notice is hereby given that the Community Service Workers Chapter will receive nominations for Chapter Officers at a meeting Thursday, June 4, 2009, 12 noon, at the Union office (817 Broadway). CSW Chapter Officers are Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Publicity Chairperson, Secretary, Grievance Coordinator, Director for Sanitation, Director for NYC Housing Authority, Director for Department of Environmental Protection. The election will be by mail ballot.

Official 15-Day Election Notices

Women’s Committee Participates in Revlon Run/Walk Local 371’s Women’s Committee participated in the 12th Annual Revlon Run/Walk for Women on May 2, as they do every year. The fundraiser started in Times Square, where tens of thousands gathered to raise awareness of breast cancer, as well as other cancers, that threaten millions of lives each year. Funds raised by participants will contribute to research, treatment, counseling and outreach programs. From l-r: Faith Cochran, Team Captain Lisa Turner, Tena Moye, Women’s Committee Co-Chair Helen Wilson, Karen Phoenix, Kathy Sabater, Bridget Browning, Aurelis Canela, Avon Pinkney.

Charles Brown

Official 15-day notice is hereby given that the Housing Preservation & Development and other Agencies Employees Chapter will receive nominations for Chapter Officers at a meeting Thursday, June 4, 2009, 6:30 p.m., at the Union office (817 Broadway). HPD & Other Agencies Chapter Officers are Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Parliamentarian. The election will be by mail ballot.

native of Trinidad and Tobago, made a big splash during the 1960 carnival with the song Garrot Bounce. Lord Nelson is known for his vigor on stage and the sharpness of his delivery. Lord Nelson The vibe at his shows can be summed up by one of his most famous lyrics, “Let’s have a good, good time.”

HRA and ACS Honor 25-Year (+) Employees

Charles Brown

Official 15-day notice is hereby given for the nomination and election of two (2) delegates and four (4) alternates from the Department of Transportation (DOT) Chapter to take place on Monday, June 1, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Union Office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10003.

Official 15-day notice is hereby given for the nomination of eight(8) delegates and sixteen(16) alternates for the New York City Housing Authority (Citywide) on Monday, June 8, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Union office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10003. This also serves as 15-day notice for the election on Monday, June 22, 2009 of eight(8) delegates and sixteen(16) alternates from 9:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m. at the Union office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10003.

Jewish Heritage Celebrated at DC 37 As The Unionist went to press, the DC 37 Jewish Heritage Committee was preparing to hold its Annual Celebration and Dinner on May 18 with a Glatt kosher meal, music by world renowned Israeli singers, and a keynote address on “Jewish Values and the Administration of President Barack Obama” by a top Washington lobbyist for the Jewish community. A full report on the event will appear in the June issue of The Unionist. 6

Charles Brown

Official 15-day notice is hereby given for the nomination and election of ten (10) delegates and twenty (20) alternates for the Civilians in Law Enforcement Chapter to take place on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Union Office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10003.

A large group of Local 371 members were among the workers honored at the annual ceremony May 1 for Human Resources Administration employees with 25 or more years of service (top photo). The event was sponsored by the HRA Quality of Work Life Program. Among the honorees were Local 371 officers Michelle Conklin and Michelle Akyempong and staff members Aubrey Norris, Andrea Walters and Deborah Williams. Employees with 25 years or more of service in the Administration for Children’s Services were honored on May 8 (bottom photo).

The ACS/QWL Employee Recognition Day ceremony was held on May 8, in the shadow of 349 pending layoff notices to Local 371 members in ACS. In her address to the honorees, President Faye Moore stated, “Those of you in the Caseworker and successor titles know that you were hired because this Union demanded more staffing 25 years ago. We have always struggled to make child welfare services better; sometimes with management, sometimes in spite of management, but always on behalf of the children, our children. And now, we will fight again...”. The Unionist | May 2009

Swap * Buy * Sell

EXCHANGE WANTED- Top cash paid for your old jazz, soul, R&B and gospel albums. Call Howard at (212) 873-4016. (1) SWAP- CPS worker at Manhattan Field Office, 55 West 125th Street, would like to swap with CPS at 110 William Street. If interested, please call (212) 280-4031. (2)

Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY Social Service Employees Union Local 371 817 Broadway New York, N.Y. 10003

SWAP- Caseworker at CASA 7, 2865 West 8th Street in Brooklyn, would like to swap with Caseworker at CASA 3, 220 West 34th Street in Manhattan. If interested, please call (718) 2655538. (2) SWAP- JOS worker at Intensive Care Service #71 109 East 16th Street in Manhattan would like to swap with JOS worker in Queens at Jamaica, Euclid or Rockaway locations. If interested, please contact Harmeet at (917) 907-1785. (2) FOR SALE- Car stereo (pullout) high power reverse cassette in very good condition. Price $40. If interested, please call (917) 518-4317. (3) HRA CHESS CLUB will meet on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at McDonald’s 355 8th Avenue at West 26th Street in Manhattan. For more information, call Henry Brooks (347) 499-0223 or (212) 971-2000. (3) FOR SALE- Large ceiling fixture, clown collection, dolly, luggage, dishes, pots, glassware, gift items, tie rack, never worn size small ladies’ clothing including dark brown Borghese faux fur jacket, boots and shoes size 8, large American flags, books, new cordless telephone with clock radio, electrician’s meters, lots more. Call 718430-1769 and leave a message. (4) FOR SALE- Timberland Men’s Leather Bomber Coat (size 5x) $175, Liz Claiborne Men’s Leather Blazer Jacket (size 6x) $150, Mitchell & Ness NY Mets Spring Jacket (size 5x) $125, Pelle Pelle Plaid Spring Jacket (size 4x) $50. If interested, please contact J. Thomas at (718) 963-5229 or (347) 652-6847. (4)

Condolences Condolences are extended to Oguchi Irrechukwu, HASA Brownsville Center #73, on the death of his mother, Clarice Irrechukwu on April 22. Condolences are extended to Adele Anderson, DFTA, on the death of her father, Ralph Anderson, a CASA retiree. Condolences may be sent to Madeline Anderson 83 Sterling Street, Brooklyn, NY 11225. Condolences are extended to Karen Tomlinson, Local 371 Staff, on the death of her uncle on April 18. Condolences may be sent to the Tomlinson Family 13925 224th Street, Laurelton, NY 11413. Condolences are extended to Isabel Santos, Council Respresentive at DC37 Professional Division, on the death of her grandson, Shanta E. Gaines on April 30. Condolences may be sent to Isabel Santos c/o DC37 Professional Division 125 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10007. 8

Women’s Committee Dance/Card Party Set for June 12

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very year, Local 371’s Women’s Committee raises funds for a different cause. Contributions have been made to many non-profit organizations over the years, including City Meals on Wheels, a foundation that prepares food to be delivered by community-based agencies to the homebound elderly; Mother’s Voices, an organization dediThank you, Local 371! The Haitian Health Foundation was the recipient last year of a cated to strengthening donation of a house and two goats from Local 371’s Women’s Committee. family communication about sex health; and El Puente, a human mittee’s donation provided one family with rights institution that promotes peace and a house and two goats to help get them back justice among young adults. Another year, on their feet (photo above). the committee decided to purchase a brand All of the Women’s Committee’s contribunew computer for a New York City public tions are made possible through the particischool. Funds were also once used to help pation of Local 371 members and friends imprisoned women by sending them perat their annual Dance and Card Party. This sonal care products and notebooks to use for year, their sixth annual, will take place on their writing classes. Friday, June 12 from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight Last year, however, the Atlantic hurriat DC 37, located at 125 Barclay Street in cane season was particularly tough on the Manhattan. DJ Hollywood will be spinpeople of Haiti. Hurricanes Fay, Gustav and ning your favorite music, and don’t forget Hannah one after the other left thousands to bring your own refreshments. Tickets are of Haitians hungry and homeless. The $10 in advance and $15 at the door. To purWomen’s Committee, co-chaired by Helen chase tickets or for more information, please Wilson and Margaretta Mormon, decided contact Helen Wilson at (212) 777-9000, to take action and work with the Haitian extension 3053, or Beverly Mallory Brown Health Foundation’s program “Happy at (212) 598-7057. Houses.” Through the program, the Com–Jessica Ramos The Unionist | May 2009