the unionist june 2013

8/13/2019 The Unionist June 2013

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Volume 43 • Number 6June/July 2013

Official Publication of Social Service Employees Union Local 371-DC 37 AFSCME, AFL-CIO www.sseu371.org

City workers from dozens of unions gathered at City Hall June 12 to demand fair and good faith bargaining.

Story on page 3

We Need a Contract,and We Need One Now!

Ari Paul



2 The Unionist | June/July 2013

JUNE

19 Delegate Assembly: 6:30 p.m.

Advance Realty Building,

235 West 23rd Street in Manhattan

20 Next Wave: 6:30 p.m. Union Office,

12th Floor

26 Political Action Committee: 6:30 p.m.

Union Office, 12th Floor

Civilians in Law Enforcement: 6:30

p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

JULY

9 Executive Committee: 6:30 p.m.


10 Women’s Committee: 6:30 p.m.


16 Alumni Association: 2:00 p.m.


17 Delegate Assembly: 6:30 p.m.

Advance Realty Building,

235 West 23rd Street in Manhattan

18 Next Wave: 6:30 p.m. Union Office,

12th Floor

24 Political Action Committee: 6:30 p.m.


Civilians in Law Enforcement: 6:30

p.m. Union Office, 12th Floor

CALENDAR

Published monthly except for a combined issue in July/ August and a Supplement in January by the SocialService Employees Union Local 371, District Council 37,

AFSCME, AFL-CIO. Subscription Price $2.00 annually.Periodical postage paid at New York, N.Y.

POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: TheUnionist, SSEU Local 371, 817 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y. 10003.

USPS# 348990 (212) 677-3900ISSN# 0041-7092

President Anthony Wells

Executive Vice President Yolanda Pumarejo

Secretary-TreasurerJuan Ortiz

V.P. Negotiations & ResearchRose Lovaglio-Miller

V.P. Organization & Education Armenta Weekes

V.P. Grievances & Legal ServicesLloyd Permaul

V.P. Publicity & Community RelationsPatricia Chardavoyne

V.P. Legislation & Political ActionMichelle Akyempong

Trustees Vincent Ciccarello Yolanda DeJesusMelva Scarborough

Editor Ari Paul

Visit us on the web at www.sseu371.org

To City Hall,Unions Spoke

As One

On Wednesday, June 12, thousands of unionmembers showed up outside City Hall. Theunion members said with their presence thatthey give a damn about their collective destiny.

They loudly proclaimed that they are going to participatein their own destiny.

The rally was organized by the Municipal LaborCommittee, which is comprised of all of the unions thatbargain with the City. The call was for all members,uniformed and civilian, to show up. And they did. There was great solidarity

because we have a common issue: Every Cityunion has been without a contract for at leastthree years. SSEU Local 371 officers wantto thank our members who came out to therally. It shows how much we care about the labormovement.

The result of the rally was an energized, united workforce. There was also a clear message: We

are organized and prepared to fight back. We will no longer stand for attacks onour salaries, pensions and benefits. Our voices will be heard in the streets, in theboardrooms and at the ballot box.

At the same time, the Union fought against the New York City Housing Authority’s plan to privatize Community and Senior Centers and worst of all, layoff as many as 300 of our members and another 200 workers. After reaching outto housing advocates and City Council Members, the City reached a budget thataverted most of the layoffs, however, many of the centers will be transferred overto DYCD or DFTA.

Members are organizing against any lay off or reduction in social service,

including getting turnout for a City Hall rally July 2 at 5 p.m. We are still working with lawmakers and other coalition members.

As with all of our fight back campaigns, we need the membership to be informedand involved. It doesn’t matter whether you work or live in a NYCHA building,this fight back campaign affects you. Once again, an attack on any of us is anattack on all of us. Let’s mobilize, let’s speak up for our sisters and brothers inNYCHA. God bless you and God bless the Union.

– Anthony Wells

The result of

the rally was an

energized, united

workforce.

“

”



June/July 2013 | The Unionist 3

SSEU LOCAL 371 members madetheir voices heard loud and clear along-side members from dozens of other Cityunions June 12 during a protest outsideCity Hall demanding that the next mayorbargain in good faith with labor.

Union President Anthony Wells spokethunderously before the rally, which ex-tended from Barclay Street to Chambers

Street on Broadway, leading the chorusagainst the Bloomberg administration’schoice of stonewalling the unions, while doling out wasteful contracts to hisfellow profiteers.

City labor is in a position quite unlike anyother in recent memory: The unions have

been operating on expired collective bar-gaining agreements for three years, whichmeans no one has gotten a raise. As right- wing governments in Greece and Spainenact painful austerity measures on themasses at the behest of the banking class,so too does New York City’s 99 percentfeel the pinch from the 1 percent mayorand his parasitic cohort. Without raises,

workers suffer hardships as rent, food pricesand other necessities of life have all risen,and small businesses who depend on thepatronage of middle class people suffer as aresult. Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s stanceis not just politically unpalatable, it is anunabashed act of class war.

But our message at the rally, organizedby the Municipal Labor Committee, wasclear: Whoever is the next mayor is goingto have to sit down and speak with theunions and hammer out terms that do notthreaten our health care or any other ben-efits. The next mayor must also recognizethe need for retroactive pay.

Peaceful Protests

The police on duty for the demonstra-tion, who in the past had shown unre-strained brutality toward non-violentOccupy Wall Street protesters demandingeconomic justice, showed respect for theunion members.

In fact, Patrolmen’s Benevolent Associa-tion President Patrick Lynch spoke pas-sionately to the crowd about the need forfair bargaining with City unions. He notedthat while the cops on duty were stoicallyguarding the barricades, “They want to be

inside standing with you.”

We Need a Contract, and We Need One Now!

President Anthony Wells got the crowd hollering withhis blistering speech against Mayor Bloomberg.

SSEU Local 371 members made their presence felt.

SSEU Local 371 members were front and center at this important rally.

Police were supportive of the rally’s message.

P h o

t o s : A r i P a u l




STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWSYEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2012 AND 2011

2013 Union AuditGOULD, KOBRICK & SCHLAPP, P.C., CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10118-4309

To the Officers and Executive Board of

Social Service Employees Union Local 371,

American Federation of State, County

and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

We have audited the accompanying statements of financial position of the Social Service Employees

Union Local 371, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO as of June

30, 2012 and 2011, and the related statements of activities and cash flows for the years then ended.

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Union’s management. Our responsibility is to

express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States

of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance

about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes considerationof internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate

in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Union’s

internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes

examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.

An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by

management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our

audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the

financial position of the Social Service Employees Union Local 371, American Federation of State, County

and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO as of June 30, 2012 and 2011, and the changes in its net assets

and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted

in the United States of America.

New York, NY

April 17, 2013

STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITIONJUNE 30, 2012 AND 2011

STATEMENTS OF ACTIVITIESYEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2012 AND 2011




NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTSJUNE 30, 2012 AND 2011

NOTE 1 – GENERAL

Organization: The Social Service Employees Union Local 371, American Federation of State, County

and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO (the “Union”) is a labor union comprised of employees of the Ci ty of

New York in social services and other titles.

The objectives of the Union are the attainment and maintenance of fair wage rates and hours and

proper working conditions for its members.

The Union is a chartered local of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

nternational Union, AFL-CIO (AFSCME) and is affiliated with District Council Number 37, A.F.S.C.M.E.,

he New York City Central Labor Council and the New York State Organization of the AFL-CIO.The financial statements of the Union includes the Legal Assistance Committee, created to reduce

he burden of legal fees and expenses incurred by the Union for the defense of members arising out of,

or relating to, the performance of their duties as employees.

Income Tax Status: The Union is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(5) of the

nternal Revenue Code (IRC) under the International Union’s (AFSCME) group exemption.

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Accounting: The financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting.

Basis of Presentation: The financial statement presentation complies with FASB ASC Topic 958,

Financial Statements of Not-for-Profit Organizations. Under Topic 958, the Union is required to report

nformation regarding its financial position and activities according to three classes of net assets:

unrestricted net assets, temporarily restricted net assets, and permanently restricted net assets.

Fixed Assets and Depreciation: Furniture, equipment and improvements are stated at cost less

depreciation accumulated since acquisition and does not purport to represent replacement or realizable value.

All assets are depreciated over estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Expenditures for normal

epairs of equipment are charged to current operations. All other expenditures for fixed assets are capitalized.

Cash and Equivalents: For purpose of the statement of cash flows, cash is considered to be allpetty cash, checking and money market accounts, participation certificates, and certificates of deposit

with original maturities of one year or less.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles

generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and

assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent

assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and

expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Combination: The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of the Union and

he Legal Assistance Committee. All intra-organization transactions have been eliminated in the

combination.

Dues receivables: Dues receivables are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances

as determined from subsequent collections. Interest is not accrued or recorded on outstanding

eceivables.

NOTE 3 – FIXED ASSETS

NOTE 4 – LEASE COMMITMENTS

The Union is obligated to lease the twelfth (12th), fourteenth (14th), and fifteenth (15th) floor, under

hree (3) non-cancelable operating leases with Industrial Building Company for office facilities. These

eases all expire on May 31, 2018 and include escalation adjustments for property taxes and operating

expenses based on the 2010/2011 base year. Rent expense before reimbursements by the Funds (see

Note 5) were $605,040 (2012) and $605,040 (2011).

The following are the Union’s future minimum lease obligations under these leases at June 30, 2012

excluding escalations):

The Union has a sub-lease agreement with the Social Service Employees Union Local 371 Administrative

Fund (a related organization) whereby the Fund will reimburse the Union for its pro rata share of office

facilities and other expenses. Reimbursements were $334,789 (2012) and $334,789 (2011). The following

is a schedule of the estimated future minimum rental income under this sub-lease agreement:

NOTE 5 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Union and the Social Service Employees Union Local 371 Benefit Funds (the “Funds”) share

office facilities (see Note 4), personnel and other overhead expenses. These expenses are allocated

based on estimated time and space usage.

The Union receives a rebate of $69,179 per month from District Council 37 (see Note 1) as a

reimbursement of per capita fees attributable to services provided to other affiliated locals but not

required or used by the Union (such as legal fees, grievance representation, etc.). Reimbursements for

years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $830,152 and $830,152, respectively.

NOTE 6 – CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

Financial instruments that subject the Union to concentration of credit risk are cash in bank accounts.

The Union maintains accounts at high quality financial institutions. While the Union attempts to limit anyfinancial exposure, its cash deposit balances may, at times, exceed federally insured limits.

NOTE 7 – ACCRUED PAYROLL

The Union accrues unused sick pay and annual leave for staff and clerical employees. The liability

is computed based on the number of days accumulated and unused at wage rates in effect at each

year-end. No provision has been made for any possible increases arising from contractual increases in

salaries subsequent to the balance sheet date.

NOTE 8 – EVALUATION OF SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Union has evaluated subsequent events through April 17, 2013, the date the financial statements

were available to be issued.

Continued on page 6




NOTE 9 – ORGANIZING AND OPERATING EXPENSES

Delegations and Conferences:

Continued from page 5

2013 Union Audit

NOTE 10 – GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

NOTE 11 – LEGAL ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE

NOTE 12 – PENSION AND SEVERANCE

The Social Services Employees Union Local 371 Fund’s Staff Pension Plan (a defined contribution

profit sharing plan) covers the Union’s eligible clerical employees. Contributions to the Plan for the

years ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 were $51,739 and $52,838 respectively.

The New York City Employee Retirement System “NYCERS” (a defined benefit retirement plan) covers

the Union’s eligible professional employees. Contributions to the Plan for the years ended June 30, 2012

and 2011 were $188,242 (which included payments for prior years), and $122,099, respectively.

Eligible Union clerical employees are additionally covered by a collective bargaining agreement with

Local 153. Under the terms of this agreement the Plan makes contributions to the Local 153 Pension

Plan on behalf of covered employees. Pension plan expenses for the years ending June 30, 2012 and

2011 were $9,280 and $6,552, respectively.

On November 2, 2011 the executive board approved the creation of an annuity benefit for employees

of the Union staff on unpaid leave from the City of New York. This benefit will be effective retro-active to

January 1, 2011 and the Social Services Employees Union Local 371 Annuity Fund (a non-contributory

defined contribution plan) will cover these employees. Contributions to the Plan during the fiscal year

ended June 30, 2012 was $20,064.

NOTE 13 – CONTINGENCIES AND LEGAL MATTERS

Christine Byfield vs. Lloyd Permaul, et al: On or about September 24, 2012, Plaintiff brought

an action naming Defendants Lloyd Permaul, Anthony Wells and Joe Nazario in their capacity as Union

officers and individually. It alleges that Permaul sexually harassed and retaliated against Plaintiff and

Wells and Nazario failed to take action. This claim is being defended vigorously. However it is impossible

at this time to determine the outcome of this matter. Similarly, requested damages, costs and attorney

fees are not expressly stated and cannot be estimated at this time.

From Her Post, an Inspiration to Write

W hen Kashana Ames moved from ACS to be a Caseworker atHASA, working directly with

clients with HIV/AIDS, she was excited,but her friends and family weren’t. “They were like, ‘Are you crazy?’” she recalled.“They were concerned about my health. Icouldn’t believe people were still think-ing that way.”

That helped inspire her not only to workhard at her job helping the clients, basedin the Bronx, but to write and self-publish

the book “Undetected,” a novel about dif-ferent people living with the virus. Basedon her work but not based on clients,thereby protecting their identities, thenovel is meant to depict how people fromall walks of life get exposed to the virusand continue living. “The characters arebelievable,” Ames said. “Anyone can putthemselves in the characters’ shoes.”

Ames hopes that readers might lookat the situation differently and changeperspectives on HIV/AIDS, as people liv-

ing with the virus are still ostracized from

society. “I love my work and I love myclients. I want to advocate on their behalf,“she said. “My clients have read the bookand they love it. This is for them.”

A Teaching Tool

Ames said, “I had a client buy the bookand gave it to her son. It was how she toldhim that she had HIV.”

The novel took six months to write,and even though Ames had no formal writing training, the process was easy. “It

came quite naturally,” she said. Anyone interested in buying the book

should email her at [email protected] call her at (646) 474-5888 or (917)400-5433. The book can also be orderedonline here: https://www.createspace.com/3805361.

Kashana Ames: Using the power of a novel, she wants

to change attitudes about HIV/AIDS.

Official 15-Day Notice

Official 15-day notice is hereby given for nomination and election of six (6) delegates and twelve

(12) alternate delegates for the citywide delegation from the Health Department on Wednesday,

July 31, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. at the Union Office, 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, Manhattan.

A r i P a u l




Examine the candidates for yourselves. Ask the tough

questions. And on primary day, Sept. 10, show your support

at the voting booth for a vision for a new New York.

“Electing a People’s Mayor

For the past decade working New Yorkers have endured the cruelshock therapy imposed by the

plutocracy, carried out by a mayor who

embodies the 1-percent doctrine ofgreed and inequality more than anyother of his ilk.

The consequences, sisters and broth-ers, for working New Yorkers like us,have been dire. We have been without wage increase since our contract expiredin 2010, and City Hall has stonewalledus on retroactive pay and has demandeddraconian cuts to our health-carecoverage. The social services that New Yorkers rely upon have withered amidst

budget cuts, all while City Hall dolesout cash for things like the corrupt and wasteful CityTime system and throughtax breaks for his the mayor’s bloatedcronies in the real estate sector.

Three candidates for mayor—Comp-troller John Liu (who has been endorsedby our parent union, DC 37), formerComptroller William Thompson andPublic Advocate Bill de Blasio, came tothe SSEU Local 371 Executive Commit-tee in early June to make their case whythey should have the support of social

service workers.City Council Speaker Christine

Quinn was invited but could not attend. TheUnion hopes to hear from her in the future.

This says something about the powerof SSEU Local 371: The people who want to take back City Hall know thatthey have to listen to us, because weknow what the problems are in Citygovernment and know how to fix them. These people understand that we havebeen wrongly denied raises because of

the intransigence of the Bloombergadministration while we work hard tomake so many agencies function andserve the people of New York.

New Way Forward

All of the candidates who did attendoffered an alternative vision of howthe City should function. They sup-port policies that serve the interests ofall New Yorkers, not just the moneyedelite. And while those messages areindeed refreshing, we as union mem-

bers need to make clear that we are notsimply interested in a silver-tongued

orator, someone who can merely offer well-crafted platitudes about socialequality.

No, we are looking for a doer. Weare looking for someone who hasproven through years of public servicethat he or she believes that social services and public servants are a centralcomponent in a fair and just democ-racy. We are looking for a mayor

who will guarantee retroactiv ity in ournext contract. That is why we are asking members

to take a deep interest in this race.Examine the candidates for yourselves. Ask the tough questions. And on pri-mary day, Sept. 10, show your supportat the voting booth for a vision of a newNew York. Members should volunteerfor the candidates we endorse. Let’smake sure their agenda includes ouragenda. We should be at the table, noton the menu!

–Michelle Akyempong,Vice President of Political Action

”

SIGN UP FOR DELEGATE TRAINING!

SSEU Local 371 will hold a weekend orientation session on Friday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013 for all registered delegates and

alternates elected in 2013. The orientation will take place at The Villa Roma Resort located in Callicoon, NY. If you are interested in attending you

must complete the coupon below and fax it to (212) 477-4863, attention Armenta G. Weekes, Vice President of Organization. Workshops, guest

speakers and other events will occur. Materials will be distributed.

Coupons must be received by Sept. 18, 2013.

Name ____________________________________________ Last four digits of SS#__________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________ Apt# _____________________

City ________________________________________________ State ___________ Zip Code__________________________

Phone (Work) _________________________ Phone (Cell/Home) _________________________ Cell ____________________

How long have you been a delegate/alternate ____________________________________________________________________

Shirt size ____________________ Borough to leave from ________________________________________________________

Emergency contact information ______________________________________________________________________________




Social Service Employees Union

Local 371

817 Broadway

New York, N.Y. 10003

Periodicals Postage

Paid at New York, NY

A City budget reached June 23 avertedmost of the layoffs SSEU Local 371

faced at the New York City Housing Authority, although the Union vowed tokeep talking to management about ways toensure no member faced termination.

The deal announced by the Mayor andCity Council placed 45 community centersand four senior centers under DYCD andDFTA administration respectively startingnext year, leaving the rest under NYCHAcontrol until Fiscal Year 2014. All theadministrative jobs have been saved, and atpresent no one is facing the axe.

“I’m confident we can save jobs and socialservices at NYCHA,” said Union President

Anthony Wells. “The budget gives us timeto negotiate and explore all of our options.”

Wells noted there were plenty of areasNYCHA could find savings, including stop-ping the $70 million per year payment to theNYPD for policing services private land-lords get for no extra cost. He added, “Letme be clear: We are not going to be satisfieduntil every last layoff is off the table.”

During a Union meeting June 24, mem-bers at NYCHA organized a fight back cam-paign, including calling for participation in a July 2 rally outside City Hall at 5 p.m. “Webuilt this,” said Amerigo Santiago, a directorat the Cooper Park Senior Center, speak-ing of the agency. “We have to stand up andfight. We have a fighting chance.”

City Council Involved

The budget deal came on the heels of adevastating budget proposal by NYCHAmanagement that would have laid off up to250 of our members and another 250 work-ers. Wells and other advocates blasted thedeal at a City Council hearing, in which law-makers also condemned the proposed cuts. Wells noted that the deal could not have

happened without the dedication of CityCouncil Members and the Union’s politicallobbying efforts.

While there is more work to be done inorder to fend off the privatization of socialservices, Wells said, the budget deal was still welcome news.

“To weeks ago we were dead in the water,”he said.

One member responded, “And now we’refloating.”

Members and officers laughed andclapped, then Wells added confidently, “No, we’re swimming.”

A Partial Victory at NYCHA

SWAP- Child and Family Specialist at 150 William Street in

Manhattan, would like to swap to Child and Family SpecialistBronx Field Office. If interested, please call (718) 710-1895.

SWAP- Supervisor II at Brooklyn field office, 2554 Linden

Blvd., would like to swap to a Supervisor II Field office in theBronx, or 55 W. 125th Street. If interested, call (718) 348-

6697 or (914) 548-8054.

SWAP- Job Opportunity Specialist, FIA/HRA at Job Center

#64 in Brooklyn, would like to swap to Job Center #70 inBrooklyn or Job Center #63 in Brooklyn. If interested, call

(347) 446-4998.

SWAP- Job Opportunity Specialist, FIA/HRA at Job Center#13 in Manhattan, would like to swap to Job Center #99 in

Staten Island. If interested, call (718) 213-2111.

BULLETIN BOARDMEMBERS’

Condolences are extended to Doris Dorilas,

SUP II, at HRA/Fair Hearing, on the death

of her mother, Augusta Balmir, who died

May 12. Condolences may be sent to The

Balmir-Dorilas Family, 211-20 93rd Avenue,

Queens Village, NY 11428.

Condolences

Anthony Wells testified testified in June. A r i P a u l

Update on Heritage Events

As many members are aware, District

Council 37’s lower Manhattan headquarters

was badly damaged during Hurricane Sandy

last year and was rendered inoperable. While

DC 37 staff are expected to go back to the

125 Barclay Street building at the end of the

summer, this has meant that no events since

the storm were able to take place in DC 37’s

main meeting hall, including SSEU Local 371

heritage events.

That has been an unfortunate consequence of

the epic storm. But the Union is still running

its heritage committees and looks forward to

having its heritage events in the future when

DC 37’s building is fully running again.

Official 15-Day Election Notice

Official 15-day notice is hereby given for the

nomination and election of ten (10) delegates

and twenty (20) alternate delegates for the

Citywide delegation from Civilians in LawEnforcement on Wednesday, July 31, 2013

at 6:30 p.m. at the Union office, 15th Floor,

817 Broadway, Manhattan.

the unionist june 2013

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