Public Employee Press
DC 37 Has Your Back
Local 420 member wins job back
By DIANE S. WILLIAMS
One cold December day in 2014, Foulertou Senou, a Local 420 Service Aide at Lincoln Hospital, was hit by a car on her way to work. The life-altering accident almost cost Senou her job until the union came to her aid.
Her injuries caused her to be out of work for 11 months. Her doctor ordered eight additional weeks of therapy before he would permit Senou to return to work. When the Local 420 member, who started working for NYC Health+Hospitals in 2006, presented her medical documentation to Lincoln Hospital management, they let her go in accordance with NYC H+H policy to terminate anyone who is absent for a year.
“I was so broken when I went to the union hall, I could not stop crying,” said Senou. “I gave the union my doctor’s letter. The union reps and lawyers assured me they would help but said I would have to be patient.”
“This member was at risk of losing years of service and union benefits,” explained Local 420 President Carmen Charles.
Three months later, the Public Employee Relations Board ordered NYC H+H to rehire Senou. NYC H+H Human Resources confirmed that as of August, Ms. Senou was classified as a rehire, not a newly hired employee.
“Although the agency wanted to have Senou return to Lincoln as a new hire, the union fought to protect her seniority,” said DC 37 attorney Deena Mikhail.
“I can’t find the words to express how good I felt when I learned my job, my pension and annuity are restored and I don’t have to start over all over,” Senou said. “I am so happy the union fought for me.”
