Public Employee Press

Local 1549 wins back differential pay in emergency room

	ER pay differential was taken away by Coney I. Hospital, won back by Local 1549 for these members, shown with Grievance Rep Nina Perez (r.).

Upgrades for a group of Clerical Associates at Coney Island Hospital’s emergency room turned sour when management took away their assignment differentials. According to their contract, clerks assigned to the ER should get a salary differential for obtaining financial and biographical data from patients.

But after they got their training, the new Clerical Associates III, all members of Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549, were amazed to find the differential missing from their paychecks.

The grievance process was frustrating, but an informal labor-management meeting successfully resolved the problem. “I’m happy that the members got their money in time for the holidays,” said Grievance Rep Nina Perez.

“It was a long fight, but the union helped us succeed,” said Felisa Sanders. “I’m thrilled,” said Marylyn Distler, a CIH employee for 18 years.

Clerical Associate III Laura Bolshem has worked for CIH for 24 years. “I’m very happy because we do a lot of work. We make appointments, register pediatrics and do interpretations. I was the first one interpreting for patients in the ER,” said the Russian immigrant. “We won and we deserved it.”

Assistant Clerical Division Director Renee Gainer noted that: “We have to continue to fight for what we believe. If we know that something is a grievance, we don’t give up.” Clerical Division Director Ronnie Harris summed up the situation: “Once again, this case shows that no city agency can escape the determined efforts of DC 37 staffers and members.”