Sept. 11 was a typical busy Saturday morning at the Elmhurst Hospital Emergency Room. But within seconds, gunfire and kidnapping catapulted two members of Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549 to the center of the news.

Clerical Associate Nancy Carrasquillo was just completing her shift at 8 a.m. when her estranged husband Miguel entered the ER in a fury. Waving a gun, he grabbed her by the hair.

After a history of domestic abuse, the mother of four had sought an order of protection from her husband — igniting his wrath.

Doctors, nurses, patients and staff scattered, but Marcos Motta heard his co-worker crying out and ran to help her. He was shot in the face. The bullet exited through his neck.

The enraged kidnapper dragged Ms. Carrasquillo out and took her aboard a bus headed south. Police captured him in Fayetteville, N.C.

“A quiet hero”
DC 37 Clerical Division Grievance Rep Marcel Burke was on his way to a picnic when he heard the news. He scratched his plans and drove straight to Elmhurst to see Mr. Motta.

Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez visited on Monday. “Marcos Motta is a caring, quiet hero,” he said. “I’m happy Nancy is safe,” he said. “She knew she was in danger but she was thinking of her children and her co-workers. She acted very calm and brave.”

Now that Nancy Carrasquillo is safely back home and the story has moved off the front pages of the tabloids, Mr. Motta is still the center of attention for his co-workers. When four ER workers who shared those traumatic moments dropped by his hospital room for a visit, he called them “my angels.” A native of Peru and the father of three, Mr. Motta volunteered as an Interpreter for a year before the hospital hired him as a Clerical Associate, Level III. Modestly, Mr. Motta said, “I’d do it for anybody. My co-workers are very important to me.”

Job safety lacking
After 18 years at Elmhurst, Clerical Associate Queenie Jones observed, “You leave home to go to work. You think it’s a safe environment and it turns out it’s not.”

HHC must take steps to ensure the security of employees, said Clerical Division Director Ronnie Harris. Local 1549 2nd Vice President and Hospital Chapter Chair Ralph Palladino said the incident “highlights the need for stronger workplace violence laws and regulations.” “We need to pay more attention to this problem,” said Ms. Jones.

If you need help with abuse or violence at home, DC 37’s Municipal Employees Legal Services offers members help getting orders of protection in Family Court and related social work services. The union’s Personal Services Unit provides counseling and other services. For information call MELS at 212-815-1111 or PSU at 212-815-1250.

— Jane LaTour