Official Publication of Social Services Employees Union Local 371-DC 37 AFSCME, AFL-CIO
the
Election Ballots Mailed
B allots for the position of president in
Local 371’s General Officer Election, 17
positions of AFSCME Convention
Delegate, and 18 positions as DC 37 Delegate
were mailed to the membership on April 8 and
are due back on April 29 by 5 p.m. in order to
be eligible for counting on April 30 by the
American Arbitration Association, the indepen-
dent organization that is conducting the elec-
tions. Read the instructions on the front and the
back of the ballots carefully. If you do not
receive a ballot, call the A.A.A. at (800) 529-5218.
Nominations for all Union elections were held
on Monday, March 4 at a General Membership
Workers Memorial Day Takes On
Added Significance This Year
Glenn Maurer Graphics
Service on April 26 Will Memorialize
Workers Killed or Injured on the Job
T
he New York City Central Labor Council is
commemorating Workers Memorial Day
on Friday, April 26 with a Memorial Service
at Trinity Church, Broadway at Wall Street, at
10:00 a.m. followed by a procession to memorial-
ize all workers who have died as a result of
workplace injuries and illnesses, and in the
September 11 attacks.
Members Urged to Vote
Meeting at the UNITE Building on West 15th
Street in Manhattan. Seven out of eight Ensley
Slate candidates in the General Officer Election
were nominated and elected unopposed as were
all Ensley Slate candidates in the elections for
Trustee of the Local, Trustee of the Welfare and
Educational Funds, AFSCME Convention Alter-
nate Delegate, and New York City Central
Labor Council Delegate.
General Officer Election
The candidates for the position of president are
While New York experiences
approximately 250 workplace
fatalities each year, this
year’s Workers Memorial Day
will be dominated by the
memory of all those innocent
workers who died on the
morning of September 11.
Each year, April 28 is a
national day of mourning for all
workers who died due to work-
place injuries and illnesses, but
the events of September 11 in
which most of the 2,870 people
killed were either at their worksite
or responding to a call for help as
part of their job, has intensified
the meaning of this year’s com-
memoration, called “Protect
Workers Now: Stop the Pain.”
While New York experiences
approximately 250 workplace
fatalities each year, this
year’s Workers Memorial Day
will be dominated by the memory of all those
innocent workers who died on the morning of
September 11.
The toll of job injuries, illnesses and fatalities is
enormous. In 2000, an average of 17 workers were
fatally injured each day in the United States. That
number does not include deaths from occupational
diseases which claim the lives of 50,000 to 60,000
each year. Also in 2000, more than 5.7 million
injuries and illnesses were reported in private sec-
tor workplaces. An additional 600,000 occurred
among state and local employees in the 28 states
where data was collected.
Volume 32
Number 4
April 2002
Charles Ensley and Samuel Moultrie.
Union officers nominated and elected unopposed
to three-year terms from May 1, 2002 to April 30,
2005 are Executive Vice President Yolanda
Pumarejo, Secretary Treasurer Joe Nazario, Vice
President of Negotiations and Research Anthony
Wells, Vice President of Organization and Educa-
tion Beverly Mallory Brown, Vice President of
Grievances and Legal Services Faye Moore, Vice
President of Publicity and Community Relations
Linda Schleicher, and Vice President of Legislative
and Political Action Diane Savino.
AFSCME Convention Delegate
Eighteen candidates were nominated for seven-
teen positions as AFSCME Convention Delegate.
The seventeen Ensley Slate candidates are Bonnie
Bufford, Marilyn Campbell, Carolyn Clarke, Susan
Flanzraich, Suella Gallop, Charles Harris, Veronica
Harris, Beverly Mallory Brown, Faye Moore, Joe
Nazario, Elnora Phillips, Yolanda Pumarejo, Diane
Savino, Linda Schleicher, Pearl Toombs, Bill Trut-
tner, Anthony Wells. Samuel Moultrie is also run-
ning for the position as an independent.
DC 37 Delegate
Nineteen candidates were nominated for
eighteen positions as DC 37 Delegate. The eigh-
teen Ensley Slate candidates are Nicholas
Almonor, David Copeland, Gloria Dandridge,
Continued on page 2
Photo by Charles Brown
what’s
INSIDE
Union Celebrates Social
Work Month
Young musicians (photo above) entertained hundreds of
Local 371 members and their families and friends who
turned out to honor members who received MSW degrees
in the 2001-2002 academic year at the 18th Annual Social
Work Month celebration March 15. (See story on Page 5.)
Union Wins $20,000 Back
Pay Award for Worker
Thomas Zimmerman, a Caseworker with CASA (Medical
Assistance Program), returned to work April 1 with over
$20,000 in full back pay and benefits after having been
terminated seven months earlier. (See story on Page 3.)
The Unionist

Triangle Fire Took 146 Lives

Annual Ceremony Memorializes Factory Workers
by Jessica Johnson
April
16 Tuesday,

17
SSEU LOCAL 371 ALUMNI ASSOCIA-
TION MEETING, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., Union Office,
817 Broadway, 12th Floor, Manhattan.
Wednesday, DELEGATE ASSEMBLY, 6:30 p.m.,
UNITE Building, 31 West 15th, Street, (between 5th
and 6th Avenues), Manhattan.
23 Tuesday, HRA CHAPTER MEETING, 6:30 p.m.,
Union Office, 817 Broadway, 15th Floor, Manhattan.
24 Wednesday, PAC MEETING, 6:30 p.m., Union Office,
817 Broadway, 12th Floor, Manhattan.
Wednesday, CIVILIANS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT,
6:30 p.m., Union Office, 817 Broadway, 15th Floor,
Manhattan.
May
F ire trucks closed Greene Street to traffic from
Washington Place to Broadway, and workers,
students, the media and on-lookers filled the
blocks in between on this sunny but bitter cold
afternoon. On one corner, wreaths of fatheaded
pink and purple chrysanthemums and red and
white carnations flanked poster-size photos of the
aftermath of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of
1911 in which nearly all the 146 workers who died
were women. Side by side with these pictures, tall
panels reminiscent of the shape of the Twin
Towers listed the names of union members lost in
the World Trade Center on 9/11. A UNITE-mem-
ber chorus sang ‘God Bless America’ and ‘We
Shall Overcome.’ People wore caps bearing their

Charles Brown photo

unions’ names or ‘USA’, and many held bright
1 Wednesday, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING,
6:30 p.m., Union Office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor,
colored banners that rippled and snapped in the
Manhattan. wind. Union buttons were placed proudly on
their coats, which were closed up to their chins
Wednesday, LOCAL 371 WOMEN’S COMMITTEE
8 MEETING, 6:30 p.m., Union Office, 817 Broadway,
against the weather, but their faces were open, “Not a single company executive was
nodding to one another in recognition as if to say, killed,” said UNITE President Bruce
12th Floor, Manhattan.
‘we’re all here, together.’ Raynor at Triangle Fire Memorial.
Wednesday, DELEGATE ASSEMBLY, 6:30 p.m.,
15 UNITE Building, 31 West 15th Street, Manhattan.
This rally was the commemoration of the Triangle
Fire, an annual joint effort by UNITE and the New the company just two years earlier. “Not a single
Thursday, COMMITTEE OF CONCERNED SOCIAL York City Fire Department. It was held on March 22, company executive was killed,” Raynor said of the
16 WORKERS MEETING, 6:30 p.m., Union Office, 817 just a few blocks east of Washington Square Park, at fire. Touching on the grim comparison between that
Broadway, 12th Floor, Manhattan. the factory’s original location, and hundreds of work- day and 9/11 he asked the crowd to imagine workers
ers came out in the cold to be part of it. This year’s on ledges high above the sidewalk, the fire raging
22 Wednesday, PAC MEETING, 6:30 p.m., Union Office,
817 Broadway, 12th Floor, Manhattan.
event emphasized worker safety, and took on addi- behind them seconds before they plummeted to their
tional significance because of it’s eerie connection to deaths. He called on workers to carry on the fight for
Wednesday, CIVILIANS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT the tragedy of 9/11; devouring fire, fearless firefight- labor reforms to protect workers.
MEETING, 6:30 p.m., Union Office, 817 Broadway, ers frantic to save lives, and workers, knowing they Rabbi David Saperstein of the Reform Rabbinical
l5h Floor, Manhattan. would perish, desperately jumping out windows. Association recited part of the Kaddish, the Jewish
Photographers and reporters politely edged their memorial prayer that “affirms God and calls for
way toward the podium where speakers gathered to peace to descend from the heavens upon us all
the address the rally. UNITE President Bruce Raynor over the world.” He explained that the prayer helps
welcomed the attendants, and then spoke about the keep alive the memory of those gone, and urged
Triangle Fire, noting that the women garment work- that “in their name, we stoke the fire of justice ...
Published monthly by the Social Service Employees Union ers who died there labored behind doors locked Raise up your voices in protest to stop this from
Local 371, District Council 37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO. against union organizers who had been defeated by happening again.”
Periodical postage paid at New York, N.Y.
POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: The Unionist, SSEU Local
371, 817 Broadway, New York, New York 10003.
ISSN #00417092 (212) 677-3900
President
Election Ballots Mailed
Charles Ensley Continued from page 1
Executive Vice President
Yolanda Pumarejo Larry Glickson, Arnie Goldwag, Marilyn Good- are Robert Allen, Eugene Bennett, Geraldine Bryant,
Secretary-Treasurer man, Imogene Ferguson, Kirby Lindell, Beverly Brenda Cunningham, Ikechukwu “Ike” Ekweonu,
John Hudson
Mallory Brown, Faye Moore, Tena Moye, Joe Basil Ebong, Oswaldo Hayles, Janine Jackson, Aurea
V.P. Negotiations & Research
Anthony Wells Nazario, Lloyd Permaul, Yolanda Pumarejo, Hat- Mangual, Adrienne Miller, Chuck Okanome, Miriam
V.P. Organization & Education tie Rogers, Diane Savino, Linda Schleicher, John Ortiz, Peter Quintero, Kathy Sabater, Derek Saun-
Beverly Mallory Brown Talbutt. Samuel Moultrie is also running for the ders, Glen Shane, Awilda Tingling, and Ernest White.
V.P. Grievances & Legal Services
Faye Moore position as an independent.
V.P. Publicity & Community Relations Central Labor Council Delegate
Linda Schleicher Trustee Elections Nine candidates running on the Ensley Slate for
V.P. Legislative & Political Action Three Ensley Slate candidates were nominated nine positions as Central Labor Council Delegate
Diane Savino
Trustees and elected unopposed for the position of Trustee were nominated and elected unopposed. They are
Michael Ballesteros of the Local. They are Michael Ballesteros, Virgil Merritt Claude, Hector Molina, Johnnie Owens,
Phil Epstein
Virgil Brown
Brown, and Melva Scarborough. Mellie Riggins, Vicki Rosario, Ulises Ruiz, Diane
Editor Three candidates running on the Ensley Slate for Savino, Tom Schechter, Ed Snyder.
Martin Fishgold the position of Welfare and Educational Fund Trustee Observers for each candidate are welcome dur-
Photographer were nominated and elected unopposed. They are ing all stages of the election process. Contact a
Charles Brown
Virginia Castro, Velma Hill, and Winston Saigo. member of the General Election Committee at the
Metro NY
Labor Union office, (212) 677-3900. The elections are
Communications
Council
AFSCME Alternate Delegate being conducted by the five members of the Gen-
Eighteen candidates running on the Ensley Slate eral Election Committee: Saundra Galloway,
for eighteen positions as AFSCME Alternate Dele- Manuela Garrett, Trevor Gibbs, Charlena Lowery,
Visit us on the Web at www.sseu371.org gate were nominated and elected unopposed. The and Mary Rosario.
2

Union Wins $20,000 Back Pay
Award for CASA Worker
T homas Zimmerman, a Caseworker with
CASA (Medical Assistance Program),
returned to work April 1 with over $20,000
in full back pay and benefits after having been
terminated seven months earlier.
Zimmerman, a City worker for over 12 years
with an exemplary record of evaluations and atten-
dance, was terminated in August 2001 following a
Step II Hearing charging him with falsely filing a
workers compensation report the previous Octo-
ber. Zimmerman claimed his eye was injured when
a supervisor in his CASA unit at 1 Hoyt Street in
Brooklyn grabbed a file out of his hand, and the
edge of the file poked him in the eye. After he was
brought to Brooklyn Hospital in an ambulance and
saw his HIP doctor the next day, he was placed on
sick leave by his doctor and he filed a workers
compensation claim. When he returned to work,
he had been transferred to another unit.
In December 2000, HRA brought him up on
charges of filing a false workers compensation report.
He was terminated in August following the Step II
Hearing. Subsequently, he won his workers compen-
sation hearing. The city appealed the decision and he
Women’s Night Out
“We always have a good time at Women’s Committee
events,” said Velma B. Hill, a Local 371 member who
attended Women’s Night Out, a celebration of
Women’s History Month that took place on March 13
at 817 Broadway. Local 371 VP Faye Moore, co-chair
of the committee with Associate Administrator of
Welfare Funds Helen Wilson, said about 75 women
attended. “It’s great to see so many new faces “
Moore said.
The event focused on women’s general well being and
featured Personal Transformation expert Neerja
Bhatia, who led participants in relaxing visualization
exercises.
In the group discussion that followed, a member asked
how people working in social services can keep from
taking on the stress of those they help. Bhatia
responded that the women should try to keep their
own feelings separate from their work, reminding
them, “We must take care of ourselves in order to
really be able to help others.”
The participants gathered to discuss women’s health
information presented in the pamphlets and booklets
that were made available.
The event was an opportunity for women union mem-
bers to get to know each other. Moore said the com-
mittee is working on a similar event for October, to be
held in a larger space and to include more activities,
as an even greater turnout is expected. She said next
month’s event on Wednesday, April 10, will focus on
women and their finances.
— Jessica Johnson
Caseworker Thomas Zimmerman
shares victory with VP Faye Moore.
won again. All the while, he was helped by Local 371
Grievance Representative Reuben Adeshuko.
“I have an excellent record with the City,” says
Zimmerman. “My evaluations are always good, and
I’m always on time. There was no call for that.”
“Before the decision on workers compensation
WTC Tragedy Depicted in Mural
Children Taught to Express Themselves Through Art
E
ric Thomas loves creating art and he loves
working with kids. He does both as a New
York City Housing Authority Community
Assistant in the after school program at the
Community Center in the Baisley Park Housing
Project in Queens.
In the Center’s small art room, Thomas sits
amid art supplies and painted masks, to talk about
his latest project — a four foot high mural inspired
by the tragedy at the World Trade Center. “I
watched the building fall from a rooftop. My step-
daughter was on maternity leave from her job on
the 64th floor at Morgan Stanley. The tragedy hit
home for me, and then I heard all of the children
talk about it. They all had stories — friends of
friends, firefighters they knew, parents who
worked in the area. I got the kids to write essays
about their feelings and then express them in art.”
The children stenciled drawings or photographs
onto wood and then used woodburning tools to
engrave them in the plywood. The mural has testi-
monies to all the fire battalions that lost members,
a portrait of the Mayor, the World Trade Center
buildings, a Pieta, a rescue dog, American sym-
bols, police officers and much more. Eleven year
old Tanaisha Hawkins said she enjoyed working
on it. “We drew and then we used tools to make
the pictures,” she said proudly. The after school
program serves children from 6 to 18. All of the
children who worked on the mural burned their
names into a corner of the piece.
Thomas, who has worked for the Housing
Authority for 13 years, has done many art projects
April 2002
came down, HRA
made an offer to
bring him back to
work and hold a
ten-day suspen-
“He wouldn’t be dissuaded from
his belief that he had done
nothing wrong. His victory is an
sion in abeyance
in case they won,”
example of how principle and
says Union Vice perseverance and standing up
President of for your rights pays off.”
Grievances Faye
Moore. “He would-
n’t accept their
offer. He wouldn’t be dissuaded from his belief that
he had done nothing wrong. His victory is an
example of how principle and perseverance and
standing up for your rights pays off.
“He felt he was entitled to full back pay with all
benefits, and he was right,” Moore continued. “He
was injured on the job in front of witnesses, he
was removed by ambulance, and he was out for
four days on doctor’s orders. There was no reason
to terminate him, and with the Union’s help, he
won the case.”
—Martin Fishgold
Eleven year old Tanaisha Hawkins and
12 year old Faye Howe with Eric Thomas
in front of World Trade Center mural.
with children at several different sites. He has
taken courses in jewelry making and silk screen-
ing, but until the new community center at Baisley
Houses is completed, he has no room to teach
these skills. The next project he has in mind is a
mural on Black history. He intends to discuss the
composition with the kids. “I love working with
these kids,” he said. “Certain ones, you really see
have a knack for art. They like the detail work and
express themselves deeply through it. “Over the
years he has seen children from the programs
grow up. “They really get attached to you,” he
said. “You see them grown up and doing some-
thing with their lives. Some tell me that the art
kept them out of trouble. It makes you feel good.”
— Linda Schleicher
3
The Unionist
Alvaro Blake
Heatline Supervisor
“We jumped right in,
wherever we were
needed,” said Alvaro
Blake of his work with
the many volunteers
who helped victims.
For two weeks after the
attack, Blake helped
open shelters, and later
worked at Pier 94 in
benefits processing. He
worked many back-to-back shifts and long hours,
but said he found the work satisfying because he
knew he was providing a service that was truly
needed.
“I was there at the beginning,” said Blake,
“and I saw the towers come down. I wanted to
stay involved.”
Carline Balan-Clerge
ODVEIS Supervisor II Social Work
Carline Balan-Clerge
worked many twelve-
hour weekday shifts
assisting victims at the
Twin Towers Service
Center at 180 Water
Street, and she spent
weekends helping out
at Pier 94. She super-
vised the incoming
flow of people, and
helped direct benefits processing and service
referrals.
“I felt lost at first,” said Balan-Clerge, “but
coming back and doing this work revitalized me.
It gave me something to look forward to, helping
people and being a source of support.”
Evelyn Perez
ODVEIS Supervisor
Evelyn Perez reported
to her regular job the
morning after the
attack, but by that
afternoon she was
helping set up and
manage an emergency
shelter for victims, and
continued to work
almost every evening
for two weeks as a
shelter manager.
Perez said of herself and her co-volunteers,
“The city was in an emergency; we were
concerned about everyone. If it happens again, I’ll
be there for them again.”
4
Julia Vega Lisa Dicks
ODVEIS Supervisor III EVR Associate Fraud Investigator
Julia Vega volunteered Lisa Dicks worked at
to help victims immedi- Twin Towers Job Link
ately. “I didn’t even at the Department of
have to stop and think Labor in Manhattan
about it,” she said. Vega assisting victims who’d
followed her regular lost jobs to secure new
workday with twelve- employment. She
hour shifts as a shelter worked on locating
manager several nights potential employers,
a week and on week- and helped victims sub-
ends through mit resumes and
November. She also worked at Pier 94 managing arrange interviews. She said the program offered
food stamps and medical benefits processing. job-searchers the opportunity to come in for sup-
Vega said that her co-workers, the volunteers port as often as needed until they found a job.
from other organizations, and the victims all “It was very moving to know that I could help
helped each other. “I have never seen so much somebody,” said Dicks. “I loved doing it, and the
kindness in one place,” she said. staff was phenomenal.”
They Helped World Trade Center Victims
As part of our ongoing tribute to Local 371 members who aided the
victims and families of the World Trade Center disaster, The Unionist
is continuing to feature these dedicated workers on our pages. Some of
them worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week following the attack,
and some are still working. Their job was to help families who lost loved
ones, and to help residents and employees who lost their apartments and
jobs. They provided emergency food stamps, medicaid, child care pay-
ments, referrals and escorts, but most of all they provided understanding
and care and love. We will continue to salute them in The Unionist.
— Interviews by Jessica Johnson
Romania Griffin
Fraud Investigator EVR
Paulette Barry
Romania Griffin took
Child Welfare Specialist Sup. II SUPCON just one day off during
the intense month of
Paulette Barry spent long shifts she worked
three evenings per at 80 Centre Street help-
week at Pier 94 as a ing victims. The first
counselor. She provid- few days, Ms. Griffin
ed emotional support interviewed survivors
while interviewing to help HRA assess the
variety of needs, such
victims to assess their
needs, then helped as financial assistance,
them to fill out appli- child care, and employment. Reassigned to recep-
cations for services tion, Ms. Griffin arranged escorts and interpreters
through HRA that to help victims follow through in obtaining ser-
included housing, child-care, and financial assis- vices and benefits. She and her coworkers con-
tance. Ms. Barry and her co-workers also directed soled victims during the paperwork process by
victims to appropriate agencies for follow-up listening to their feelings and frustrations and
support. reassuring them that help was at hand.
Ms. Barry said that many different organiza- Ms. Griffin recalled one confused victim who
tions and individuals came together as a net- spoke little English and thought she couldn’t get
work for the victims, providing medical and help; Ms. Griffin got her an interpreter and
child care, food services, and other kinds of sup- walked her through the service channels, and the
port. Ms. Barry recalled being of particular help woman received a check and job information that
to the widow of a fireman, and to a woman same night.
recently arrived from Africa with her child, who “She was calm and grateful after that,” said Ms.
had also lost her husband. She said, “People like Griffin. “I worked long hours but it was worth it,
these, who had lost loved ones, were a priority.” to see people getting help and feeling relieved.”
 April 2002

MSW Graduates Honored at Union Event

Jessica Johnson
social workers and their clients everywhere to a

H undreds of
Local 371 mem-
bers and their
families and friends
turned out to honor
members who received
Keynote speaker MSW degrees in the
Dr. Laura J. Lee. 2001-2002 academic
year at the 18th Annual Social Work Month cele-
bration on Friday evening, March 15 at Local
32B-32J. The event, “Social Workers United;
Meeting Human Needs Ground Zero and
Beyond,” was sponsored by Local 371’s
Committee of Concerned Social Workers.
The KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program)
Academy String & Rhythm Orchestra was on
hand for entertainment, and keynote speaker Dr.
Laura J. Lee, associate professor in the Fordham
University School of Social Services, addressed
higher level.
Members of the planning committee who helped
make the evening a great success are Bernice
Adeyemi-Brown, David Alexander, Wendy Benson,
Iris Bishop, Gale Britton, Eileen A. Callwood, Lucia
De La Paz, Angela Dielingen, Joye Fischer, Tracy
Grant, Theresa Hargrove, Priscilla Harris, Veronica
James, Ducoste Lamothe, Dennis McDougale,
Walter E. Messner, Jerome Moss, Gail Orsini, Carol
Osborne, Saroj Parekh, Ancil Payne, Marty
President Charles Ensley welcomes members and
Silberstein, Delroy Williams, and Helen Wilson.
guests as Executive VP Yolanda Pumarejo looks on.
Special thanks for their help also goes to Maurice
Ambrose, Lillian Baez,
Karen Phoenix-Davis,
Diana Diaz, Ella
Gaulman, Joe Locust,
Joe Nazario,
Humberto Rodriguez,
Linda Schleicher,

Photos by Charles Brown

the attendants. Frenchie Williams,
Chairperson of the CCSW and Executive Vice and all the officers
President Yolanda Pumarejo hosted the event, and staff of SSEU
assisted by Co-Chairpersons Basil Ebong and Local 371.
Mark Hugel. Pumarejo’s infectious enthusiasm
KIPP Academy String & Rhythm Orchestra performs.
for her colleagues brought forth cheers and
applause at the introduction of “the leader of
what he calls our mighty, mighty union,” Committee of Concerned Social Workers
President Charles Ensley, who spoke about his
respect for the social work profession and praised
Honors MSW Graduates 2001-2002
the graduates for their achievements. ADELPHI UNIVERSITY Terraine A. Hill Heather Henry Renee N. Nixon-Simmons
The 85 smiling and talented middle-school stu- Anwana E. Anwana Lolita Jackson-McLeod Altagracia Hernandez Priscilla Santiago
Denise M. Bent Bryan S. Kemp Fausat Holmes Augustine Thomas
dents from KIPP Academy in the South Bronx Cleo I. Childs Kemakolam K. Obih Stacy Hosifer-Griffin Camille Titus
energized the room with a rousing program of Tamika Comrie Olive Taylor Veronica L. James Lakesha Whaley
Greta M. Cornwall Pamela Wallen Melva C. Kennedy William Zapata
favorites including ‘New York, New York,’ ‘Hava
Lydia F. Francis Joycelyn J. Williams Elina Kesler NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Nagila,’ ‘Smooth,’ and a selection from the 1999 Karen E. Green FORDHAM UNIVERSITY Kimberly Lattimore Stacey Aust
Carlos Santana tribute album, ‘Supernatural.’ Candice Greenidge Oluwatoyin Adesanya Pearl E. Lewis Airat I. Bakare-Adejobi
Frederick M. Iginoba Tina I. Adinnu Hazel McMillian Fritz C. Blackman
Conducted by Bandleader Jesus Concepcion, the Edris M. Jaundoo Genell McCord
Vincent Adrien Karene Fowler
orchestra filed out into the audience for a rendi- H. Aurelia Jemmott David Alexander Shelly McDowell Claudette P. Hall
tion of ‘Always and Forever’ that moved many to Carol C. Jones-Whitehorn Dorothy R. Alicea Cheryl D. McGuire Valary A. John
Wendy Lande-Forrester Avolyn Allman Sabrina R. Moody Rugena King
swaying and singing along. Roberto A. Mariette Caryne Morency
Sheila E. Alsbrooks-Perry Lauren K. Langford
Following the entertainment, Dr. Lee gave a Evelyn A. Marron Erushia Atkinson Erica V. Myers Diana Lowe
thoughtful and uplifting speech in which she Bosede Otulaja Hazel Y. Barrow Michele Napoleon
Ingrid J. Marcial
Veronica Parker Donna M. Bryan Nike M. Omalewa
encouraged the graduates to rise to the chal- Josephine A. Mero
Grace Portoghese Patricia A. Byatt Ugo E. Onwuka
Virsile V. Nedd
lenges facing the city after the attack on the Vanessa Quinones Caswell Campbell Marie Placide
Teresita C. Prieto
Jahnun L. Ray Fe C. Casas Anthony H. Primus
World Trade Center. Calling on the graduates to Yvette Richardson Sylvia Roberts
Alicia Rooks
Carlos Cox Lavender P. Ryan
view the event as “a catalyst for social change,” Titus Robertson Winsome G. Cummings Sharon L. Rogers
Zanette Sargeant
Dr. Lee counted public sector social workers Rosalyn A. Stewart Ordella L. Dunn Flolette J. Rowley
Raka Sarker
Ernest L. White Stephanie A. Duzant Diane Simmons-Telesford
among “the hundreds of unsung hero workers Pamela Wilchcombe Claudette Smith
Colin B. Scantlebury
Linda M. Echols-Frazier Roslyn R. Scott
behind the scenes who helped New York recov- Dulce Ines Zapata Isaac Erhunmwunsee Vilma E. Smith
Tony O. Smalls
er.” She said the graduates’ career choice is an COLLEGE OF NEW Ingrid Gonzalez Sandra A. Taitt
Carlyon Terrell Cheryl R. Terry
ROCHELLE Tracy D. Grant
inspiration to her, and she told them their work Sophia N. Thomas Natasha K. Gray Gloria Thomas STONY BROOK
“makes the difference between a life shattered Walthride M. Guerrier Vanessa Thompson Tracy S. Johnson
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY Paul Martin
Samuel Halstion Fredericka S. Tolbert
and a life healed.” She also praised Ensley as a Ernest E. CummingsMelody
Chinyere Ozim
Nefertiti Hassan Earley B. Viverette
leader who has brought conditions for the lives of E. Davis-Graham
Felice A. Henderson Dayna Weinberg Jayme T. Steadman
Phoenicia Dorch
Colette E. Winkfield YESHIVA UNIVERSITY
Marjorie A. Yearwood Amy Almonte
Paul M. Yohay Felicia F. Anderson
HUNTER COLLEGE Francis Ayuso
Mohammed F. Alam Letticia V. Craft
Saleh Azam Victoria David
Jason Ben-Shalom Valerie M. Dewberry
Jamillah B. Brown Angela M. Dielingen
Kim Y. Buggs Nicole Goodman
Elvie Cadet Theresa M. Hargrove
Sherri E. Clarke-Joseph Bryan R. Hayes
Nery Cruz Ducoste Lamothe
Gregory L. Fore Oluwakemi Owolabi
Antoinette Fuller Griselle Phillips
Teriann Hagins Mary L. Rutledge
Juneasa A. Jordan Jacquelyn Y. Sanders
Valerie K. Kilgore Iasia Tyre
Marian McDade Jessie S. Wilson
Some members of the Committee of Concerned Social Workers pose for a photograph.

5
The Unionist
Rules for 2002 Delegate Elections
A. General Rules:
1. The Delegate is the chief Union representative of his or
her location and represents all members there regardless of
title.
2. Delegate elections shall be held annually in May.
3. Delegate and Alternate Delegates shall be appointed in
accordance with the Local’s Constitution; one Delegate for a
minimum of 25 to 74 members, two Delegates for a mini-
mum of 75 to 124 members and, in like manner, one addi-
tional Delegate for each 50 members. For each Delegate
there shall be two Alternate Delegates.
4. Membership in good standing commences when a
worker is on union dues check-off, or when a worker is both
on “agency shop fees” deduction to the local and his/her
“green card” has been received in the Union office. Mem-
bership in good standing is immediately established by
direct payment of dues to the Union. Dues are payable
monthly in advance.
5. Locations which do not hold elections in May will be
considered to have unfilled positions, unless the Secre-
tary-Treasurer has approved, in writing, an extension based
on a specific problem.
6. Nomination meetings shall be held in each location
with 15 days’ notice. Such notice shall be any Union leaflet
distributed to the members in the work location or mailed to
the membership, or notice prominently posted on bulletin
boards, or published in The Unionist.
7. Nomination meeting notices shall specify the date, time
and place of the election. The nomination notices should also
specify the date, time and place of a run-off election should it
be necessary. If the election dates, time and place are not
specified on the nomination notice, a second notice must be
given at least 15 days in advance of any election.
8. No funds of SSEU Local 371 or of any affiliate body
shall be used to support the candidacy of any member for
any elective office within AFSCME.
9. No publication sponsored by the Union or by any affil-
iate body shall endorse or support any candidate for elective
office within AFSCME.
10. Any nominee for elective office shall have the right to
have campaign literature mailed once to each member in
good standing, through the Union office, but at private
expense.
11. Messages on the Union tape (674-7670) for two con-
secutive work days will constitute official notice to all can-
didates. It will be the responsibility of all candidates to call
the tape regularly in order to keep themselves informed.
12. Prior approval of the Secretary-Treasurer is required
for a change in the composition of the work location.
B. The Work Location Election Committee:
1. The conduct of the election shall be the responsibility of
the Work Location Election Committee (WLEC). The Com-
mittee shall be chosen at the nomination meeting and shall
consist of no fewer than two (2) Union members in good
standing who are not candidates for any position involved
in the election. The members of the WLEC should be present
at the nomination meeting.
2. The WLEC shall remain neutral on all issues and can-
didates.
3. The WLEC shall post on the bulletin board the names
of the candidates nominated, the date, time and place of the
balloting, and the names of the members of the WLEC.
4. The WLEC shall, as soon as possible, inform the Secre-
tary-Treasurer’s office by phone (677-3900) of the nominees’
names in the order they are to appear on the ballot and shall
assist the Secretary-Treasurer’s office to identify the distri-
bution points covered by their election.
5. The WLEC shall be responsible for picking up all elec-
tion material including the latest membership run, ballots
and report sheets from the Union office.
6. The WLEC should count the ballots immediately after
closing the polls, but no later than the end of the day.
7. The WLEC has an additional responsibility enumerat-
ed under Section H (Certification of the Election).
8. The WLEC shall, immediately after the election,
destroy all ballots which have not been used.
9. The WLEC shall maintain all records of the election
for thirty-one (31) days, or in case of protests, for 31 days
after the resolution of all protests. On the thirty-first day
the WLEC shall destroy all the material except the mem-
bership run which should be given to the Delegate for the
location’s use.
C. Nomination and Declination Rules:
1. Any member who is in good standing for six weeks
on the date of nomination may run for Delegate or Alter-
6
nate Delegate.
2. At the nomination meeting any member may nominate
himself or herself or any other member. No second is
required. The nominee need not be present.
3. Any member nominated for Delegate is automatically
nominated as a candidate for Alternate Delegate. However,
a member may be nominated and run for Alternate only.
4. A motion to close nominations is always out of order.
Nominations for each office are closed only after three con-
secutive calls for “other nominations” go unanswered.
5. No further nominations shall be accepted after the
close of nominations.
6. Every nominee shall be given an opportunity to
decline. Declinations after the nomination meeting must be
submitted in writing to the WLEC. A member declining the
Delegate nomination will still be considered a candidate for
Alternate Delegate unless he/she also specifically declines
to run for Alternate Delegate.
7. If there is only one nominee for each open office, such
unopposed candidate or candidates shall be declared elect-
ed, provided they fulfill all requirements for office. In all
other cases, elections shall be by secret ballot.
D. Voting Rules:
1. Only members in good standing may vote.
2. Absentee or proxy voting is prohibited.
3. A standard ballot form shall be used at all locations.
4. The polls cannot be watched by any candidate. How-
ever, each candidate has a right to have a representative
(who must be an AFSCME member) as an observer.
5. There shall be no campaigning at the polls. No one at
the polls (including those registering voters, distributing
ballots, poll watching, etc.) shall indicate support for or
opposition to any candidate within the hearing of anyone
voting or waiting to vote. No candidate is allowed at the
polls except to cast a ballot.
6. Elections are to be held for at least two (2) hours during
the lunch hours or during the pay periods in conventional 9
to 5 locations. Wherever possible, elections shall be held all
day.
7. For locations where there are shifts, voting must be
available for some period for each shift. Wherever possible,
the election shall be held throughout all shifts.
E. Voting Procedures:
1. In order to receive a ballot, the member’s name with
Union Designation (Code UA or UX in Pay Grade Column)
must appear on the membership run provided by the Union
Office. Any other code (AA, A, S, or X) denotes Agency Fee
payer or Non-Member and, therefore, renders one ineligible
to vote unless the WLEC confirms that a “green card” has
been received in the Union Office. In HHC an Agency Fee
payer is identified by the number 9 in the first column after
the name on the printout or by an asterisk (*) on the pay
stub.
2. The member must sign the membership run next to his
or her name and will then receive a ballot.
3. If the member’s name is missing or an ineligible code
appears, he/she must submit a paystub showing “U” beside
dues deduction or Union membership must be verified by
phone through the Union office. Upon receiving proof of
membership, the WLEC shall print his/her name and social
security number on the membership run, and indicate how
membership was certified. The member must then sign next
to his/her name before receiving a ballot.
F. Counting Rules:
1. Each candidate has a right to one (1) representative
(who must be an AFSCME member) to be present at the
counting.
2. The number of ballots cast should not exceed the num-
ber of signatures.
3. Write-in votes, blank ballots, and signed ballots are
void.
4. A vote is valid if a member votes for the same candidate
in both Delegate and Alternate columns. The two marks shall
be considered as one vote for said candidate as Delegate.
5. Use common sense if the intentions of the voter are
clear; count the vote.
6. The Delegate votes shall be declared and counted first.
When counting for Alternate any member who ran for Dele-
gate and lost shall have the Delegate votes received added to
the Alternate votes received to make his or her Alternate
total.
7. In the case of a tie, a runoff shall be held at the request
of any involved candidate. Any alternate method acceptable
to all these candidates is permissible (e.g. lot, flipping of a
coin, drawing straws, etc.). Fifteen days notice of run-off
elections must be given.
G. Protests and Appeals:
1. Protests must be made in writing to the WLEC by a
member of the work location within ten (10) days. In case of
such protests, all interested parties shall be afforded an
opportunity to be heard and a decision shall be made by the
WLEC in writing within thirty (30) days after the filing of
the protest.
2. In any election where an agreement of the count cannot
be reached, this problem shall immediately be brought to
the attention of the Secretary-Treasurer where a ruling will
be made.
3. In case of an outright violation of the Constitution, a
reelection may immediately be ordered by the
Secretary-Treasurer.
4. Any protestant adversely affected by a WLEC decision
may file a written appeal with the Secretary-Treasurer with-
in ten days after the decision, or, if no decision has been ren-
dered, within forty (40) days after filing the original protest
with the WLEC. Upon receipt of such an appeal, the Secre-
tary-Treasurer shall refer it to the Central Election Commit-
tee (CEC) to conduct an investigation, affording all interest-
ed parties an opportunity to be heard and a recommenda-
tion shall be made in writing to the Secretary-Treasurer
within thirty (30) days.
(The CEC is composed of two representatives from each
Chapter with the Secretary-Treasurer serving as Chairper-
son. However, no person may serve as a member of the CEC
in any election in which he/she is a candidate.)
5. Any further appeals may be made to the Judicial Panel
in accordance with the AFSCME Constitution and Judicial
Panel rules.
6. If a protest is being considered before the WLEC has
certified the election, incumbents shall remain in office until
the WLEC certifies the election. If the election has been cer-
tified the newly elected Delegates and Alternates remain in
office until a new election is held.
H. Certification of the Election:
1. The newly elected Delegates and Alternates take office
immediately upon the certification of the election by the
WLEC.
2. The WLEC shall post the election results on the bulletin
board.
3. The WLEC shall submit the results of the local election
in writing to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Union immedi-
ately after counting. This report must include:
a. A copy of the ballot used including totals received by
each candidate; if the election is uncontested, a work loca-
tion membership list including Social Security numbers.
b. The winners’ names, home addresses, social security
numbers, home telephone numbers, work location with
their addresses and work telephone numbers.
C. The signatures and work phone number of the WLEC
members.
4. The location shall be considered without Delegates by
the Secretary-Treasurer until the report is received. When
received, the report will be accepted subject to review by the
Secretary-Treasurer.
5. Delegates and Alternates shall be ranked in order of the
number of votes received. If members desire to yield their
rank they must do so in writing to the Secretary-Treasurer.
I. Interim Delegate Elections:
1. A Delegate transferred to a new work location shall
continue as Delegate from his/her former location for a
period of thirty (30) days or until such former location shall
elect a new Delegate, whichever shall occur first.
2. In the event an interim election is needed for vacated
Delegate or Alternate positions, said election shall be for the
total number of vacant offices for the remainder of the unex-
pired term. No Alternate moves into a Delegate position
automatically, but must be voted on. Incumbent Delegates
move into the next higher available Delegate position.
(Incumbent Alternates move into the next higher available
Alternate position.) The election will then be held to fill the
total number of remaining positions.
3. Alternates must resign their position as Alternates if
they wish to run for a vacant Delegate position. This is to
insure to the members the right to fill all vacancies at the
same time.
4. However, if an incumbent Alternate resigned to run for
a vacant Delegate position and is not elected Delegate, but is
reelected Alternate, his/her rank among the Alternates shall
be as if he/she had not resigned to run for Delegate.
 April 2002

Local 371

Congratulations Retirees Association of DC 37 represents nearly 5,000 DC 37

Labor’s Leibowitz Chairs Senior Council

retirees, the largest public employee retiree organization in
New York City.

Congratulations to Stuart Leibowitz, President of the Retiree

Association of DC 37 and former Local 371 Vice President,
Worker Wins CCSW Raffle
who was elected Chairperson of the Senior Action Council of
the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
The Senior Action Council is designed to form retiree orga-
nizations among every affiliate of the Central Labor Council
for the purpose of enhancing and supporting the vital
issues affecting both the retiree community and organized
labor. Such issues include preservation of Social Security
and providing prescription drug benefits as part of the
Medicare program.
“I’d like to replicate the success we have had in our retiree
association at DC 37 at every union in New York City,” said
Leibowitz. “Union retirees working in concert with their par-
ent organizations are an incredible force in achieving major
benefits for the members we represent. The number and
power of retirees is growing every day. We fight for benefits Aurea Mangual, SSEU Local 371 activist and Community Associate
that also affect the active workforce who will receive these at the Bronx Borough President’s office, won two orchestra-seat
benefits when they retire.” tickets to the Broadway show ‘Aida’ in the CCSW Scholarship
Leibowitz became President of the Retirees Association of DC Fundraiser raffle. Executive Vice President Yolanda Pumarejo
37 in 2001 after having served as 1st Vice President. The congratulated her at the Delegate Assembly on March 20.

Condolences
With great sorrow we announce the pass-
ing of Jim Norris, father of Union member
Almeta Dunston, HCI, Harlem Hospital
Center, 506 Lenox Avenue, Manhattan, who
died on February 23. Condolences may be
sent to Almeta Dunston, c/o Harlem
Hospital Center, 506 Lenox Avenue, New
York, New York 10037.
Condolences are extended to Trenton
Tate, Child Protective Specialist,
Administration for Children’s Services,
1775 Grand Concourse, Bronx, on the
passing of his father Mr. Wilson Tate on
March 4. Condolences may be sent to
Trenton Tate, 96 Shore View Drive,
Yonkers, New York 10710.
Condolences are extended to Union
members Lori Hargett, Sup I, MAP,
Manhattan, and Katrina Williams,
Caseworker, HASA-Kingsbridge, Bronx, on
the passing of their mother retired Union
member Fennell Williams, Caseworker,
Administration for Children’s Services, 192
East 151st Street, Bronx, on March 11.
Condolences may be sent to Katrina
Williams, 1919 Madison Avenue, Apartment
#221, New York, New York 10035.
Condolences are extended to Neil
Frumkin, Caseworker, Delegate,
Administration for Children’s Services-
Office of Child Support Enforcement, 80
DeKalb Avenue, Brooklyn, on the death of
his father-in-law, Mr. Lewis Leibowitz, on
March 18. Mr. Leibowitz was 91 years of
age at the time of his death and was a
resident of Miami Beach, Florida.
Condolences may be sent to Neil Frumkin
and Family, 192 Maple Street, Brooklyn,
New York 11225.
Condolences are extended to the family
of John Lesuk, Caseworker, Administration
for Children’s Services-Office of Child
Support Enforcement, 151 West Broadway,
Manhattan, who died on March 24.
Condolences may be sent to his mother Ms.
Emily Lesuk, 88-07 104th Street,
Richmond Hill, New York 11418.
Condolences are extended to Kathleen
Sabater, Union activist, Trustee of the
Legal Services Fund, and Member of the
Legal Assistance Committee, on the death
of her mother, Emma Smith, on March
21st. Condolences may be sent to
Kathleen Sabater, c/o SSEU Local 371
Legal Services Fund, 817 Broadway,
New York, NY 10003.

Swap, Buy & Sell

FOR SALE — Silver 1994 Nissan Altima GXE
— asking $3,300. For more information call
(718) 579-5497 or (718) 918-9173. (03)
FOR SALE — Honda Civic 1992, perfect con-
dition, perfect body, and runs perfectly,
130K miles. Asking $3,000. For more
information call (347) 528-7064 or (917)
884-7093. (03)
FOR SALE — Queen sized unfinished pine
platform bed, 10 drawers with built in clos-
et. Asking $300. A great space saver. For
more information call (718) 329-5448.
(03)
FOR SALE — 1997 Honda Civic Ex, fully
loaded, green, 50,000, A/T, must sell.
Asking $13,900 or take over payments.
For more information call (718) 329-5448
in the evening. (03)
FOR SALE — Leather love seat and matching
chair (off white), asking $150 or best offer;
wall unit, four sections with veneer
finish-curved glass enclosures with space-
for bar and television, asking $600 or best
offer; wood futon with extra thick mattress
and two sided cover, asking $200 or best
offer. For more information call (718)
338-2577 or (718) 615-1097. (02)
WANTED — Muzzy language tapes for chil-
dren in French and Spanish, all levels. For
more information call (718) 327-4933. (02)
FOR SALE — Extension arm desk lamp, ceil-
ing fan with light fixture, cordless tele-
phone with am/fm clock radio (in box),
19th Century Bible, glassware, dishes,
and more household items, clown collec-
tion, fine men’s clothing, tie rack and lots
more. Call (718) 430-1769 and leave
message. (02)
FOR SALE — AB Doer, exercise machine
and instructional tape, practically new,
asking $80. Call (718) 791-4542 for more
information. (02)
FOR SALE — 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis
LS, four-door sedan, gray. Call (718)
274-6237, from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
weekdays and from 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
CLASSIFIED ADS are free to Union
weekends. (02)
FOR SALE - 1987 Red 300 ZX Turbo 120,000
miles, in good condition, new parts.
Asking $2,500 (price negotiable). For fur-
ther information call (718) 324-1555. (04)
FOR SALE - 1984 BMW 733. No dents,
inspected in February 2002. Excellent
running condition. Good body. Asking
$1,500. (718) 853-0863 (04).
WANTED - Record albums wanted - soul,
doo wop, jazz and gospel, top cash paid,
50s through 70s. Call anytime, (212)
873-4016. (04)
members and agency shop fee payers
in writing only (typewritten if possible)
to THE UNIONIST, 817 Broadway,
New York, N.Y. 10003. Include your
work phone and social security num-
ber with ad copy, but work phone
numbers will only be printed with
‘‘swap’’ transfer ads. In no instance
will ads be run longer than three
months. No real estate or business
ads accepted. The Union neither en-
dorses nor is responsible for these
offerings.

7
The Unionist