Public Employee Press

Members win grievance at Met Hospital

For over two years, Clerical Associates IV Nereida Hernandez and Frank Lopez did the work normally performed by Assistant Coordinating Managers. Even their supervisor sang their praises.

But in the ways that count, management came up short, offering only empty promises. Finally, with their union, Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549, Hernandez and Lopez filed an out-of-title grievance.

Six months later, on May 3, Clerical Division Rep Efrain Perez was able to report that they had won at a Step II grievance hearing.

Both Metropolitan Hospital employees, who work in the Ambulatory Care Dept., were happy to learn that they were awarded the pay difference between their Clerical Associate IV title and the job they were actually performing as Assistant Coordinating Managers.

The differential amounts to approximately $3,000 and both members are looking forward to receiving sizable retroactive paychecks. Now, Lopez and Hernandez do the work and get the money!

“It’s been a long process,” said Hernandez. “But we finally got what we deserved. If it wasn’t for DC 37 and Efrain Perez, things wouldn’t have gone as well.”

Lopez agreed: “The money is long overdue,” he said, “but patience is a virtue. Local 1549 fought for us to obtain this. It pays to speak out and to seek help from the union.”

“When in doubt, always call your union,” advised Perez. Assistant Clerical-Administrative Division Director Renee Gainer pointed out that members have to get their facts together and then present them to their union rep.

“This includes the out-of-title work they are performing and how long they have been doing it,” she said.