Public Employee Press

Local 384 Conference
Back to school for CUNY activists

Members of Local 384 hit the jackpot when they went to Atlantic City in October for a two-day education conference — but the big payoff wasn’t in the casino. The prize was in the classroom, where 50 activists studied valuable union skills such as handling grievances, dealing with management, explaining health issues on the job and planning for retirement.

Local 384 represents employees at the City University of New York and Educational Opportunity Centers. One of the lucky union activists at the Oct. 22-24 conference was Miguelina Roman Acosta, a CUNY Office Assistant Level 3 who has been a shop steward for less than a year at York College in downtown Jamaica, Queens.

“The workshop on the role of the shop steward helped me understand the importance of getting members more involved in the union,” she said.

Dealing with management
Larry Kelly, an assistant director in the DC 37 Education Dept., taught the steps for handling workplace problems and provided practical education in dealing with management by having participants play the roles of managers and stewards in grievance disputes.

Secretary Office Assistant Ingrid Hamer is also a new shop steward. “I learned a lot; it’s just what I needed,” said Hamer, who works at Manhattan EOC in Harlem.

Guille Mejia, principal program coordinator for DC 37’s Safety and Health Dept., led a workshop on job hazards, health issues and Workers’ Compensation. She advised members that if they are injured on the job, they should go straight to the hospital by ambulance and quickly fill out the required forms. Members out on Workers’ Compensation should attend all hearings, keep track of records and keep a journal, she said.

“Unfortunately, most people don’t learn anything about Workers’ Comp until they get hurt,” said Mejia.

Dennis Deahn, director of field services inDC 37’s Health and Security Plan, reviewed retirement benefits and advised members to keep accurate records of factors that could affect their pensions.

Local President Esther “Sandy” Tucker wasimpressed with the high level of participation by the members and the quality of the workshops.
“I’m especially happy to see several of our new shop stewards here,” she said. “They have a tough job, so the information provided here during these two days will be extremely valuable to them and to the general membership.”

The conference concluded with a reception, where DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts reminded the activists, “The union is here to help you.” She also revealed plans for a campaign to provide affordable quality child care for members in every borough and to press fast and hard for a new contract with increased benefits and wages.

— Alfredo Alvarado