Public Employee Press

Jacobi grievance wins upgrade

Ernestine “Tina” Hewan-Lowe has worked for the Information Technology Dept. at Jacobi Hospital for 10 years.

Two years ago, when a vacancy opened up in another branch of IT, she transferred with the understanding that she would get the title and salary of the employee she replaced. But while she gave her all to the new position, after two years she still had her old job title, Clerical Associate III, and got her old CA III salary.

Finally, Hewan-Lowe called for help, and Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549 responded. Chief Shop Steward Brian Griffin and Grievance Rep Efrain Perez filed a grievance.

Then they set up a meeting with management where they worked out a satisfactory solution. Hewan-Lowe was upgraded to Assistant Coordinating Manager, which gave her a salary boost of $4,000. She also received back pay to cover the difference between CA III and ACM pay from the time she filed her grievance to its resolution.

“Management was in default of its responsibilities,” said Perez. “We met and reached a meeting of the minds.”

“If I was doing the work, I should get the money,” said Hewan-Lowe. “The union is always there when I need them. When management is wrong, the union is there to help me fight.”

“We have to have hope and persistence to do the work we do on behalf of our members,” said Griffin.

Local President Eddie Rodriguez offered his congratulations to Hewan-Lowe for her courage in filing the grievance. “We’ve won many grievances at Jacobi Hospital and we’ll continue to do so,” he said. “Management has to understand that we have a contract and they have to abide by it.”