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Local 237
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NEWSLINE
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July/August 2016
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TEA MST
AT I O N A L
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Vol. 50, No. 2
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LOCAR L 237
IN
T
237 Challenges FlexOps, Wins Concessions
Teamsters Local 237 President
Gregory Floyd gave testimony in front
of the City Council’s Housing Committee to reveal that NYCHA’s new
plan, called FlexOps, which shifts
working hours of our members, is
nothing more than a “PR” trick that
does not increase the number of workers nor improve services for residents.
Plus, Floyd vigorously voiced safety
concerns for our members, adding
that FlexOps violates our contract,
and is blatant union-busting.
President Floyd told the City
Council: “You, as elected officials are
now being asked to support something
called FlexOps at NYCHA. You have
been told the lie that with no increase
in its numbers, a largely minority
women labor force of caretakers, with
changed working hours, will somehow repair failed NYCHA management practices. You have also been
told the additional lie that Local 237
President
Floyd
addressing
the City
Council.
Seated with
him is
SecretaryTreasurer
Ruben
Torres.
Teamsters and its members agreed to
those changes. Those who told you
such things are liars. They are trying to
pit you, public officials, against union
members …NYCHA is union busting.
FlexOps violates our contract. It is a
public relations stunt that will actually provide fewer workers, not more. It
will injure and endanger the largely
minority women labor force by reduc-
ing existing day care options while
forcing those women to work hours
when more violence occurs at poorly
managed and violence-prone NYCHA
sites. It is just dumb, anti-union, anticommon sense.”
Local 237 sought and obtained
an injunction to halt the implementation of FlexOps based on security
concerns. This is the first time that a
municipal union was granted an injunction based on safety. Ultimately,
an agreement was reached with
NYCHA for a pilot program that does
not force current members to work
alternate shifts and requires security
issues raised by Local 237 to be fixed
before and during implementation of
the program. Among the security
measures are: Requiring functioning
indoor and outdoor lighting on all
stairwells, roofs, walkways, parking
lots and ramps to the basement; all
broken windows and other access
points must be repaired; all access
doors must have functioning locks;
all existing security cameras must be
operational: and repairs to all of the
above security-related equipment
must be fixed within four days of
Local 237 reporting the problem to
NYCHA. FlexOps will begin July 5 at
11 NYCHA developments.
Floyd Forms NYCHA Labor, Residents & Advocates Task Force
Among the measures President Floyd took to
thwart NYCHA’s push to implement FlexOps —
the plan to shift members’ working hours in violation of their contract and despite 237’s strong
objections based on security concerns — was to
invite resident and advocate leaders to his office
to discuss not only the problems with the new
plan, but also to initiate an open dialogue dedicated to improving conditions for people who
live and work at NYCHA developments.
As the meeting proceeded, it became apparent that there was one item everyone agreed
upon: Safety is their number one concern. Everyone also agreed that this coalition of NYCHA
stakeholders should continue strategies toward a
better understanding and to develop ways of
addressing problems each member faced.
Floyd had an additional idea: Invite Patrick
Lynch, President of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent
Association (PBA), to the next meeting. Lynch
had expressed the desire for PBA members to
work more closely with NYCHA communities
and re-connect with the residents — something
that had fallen off since the merger of the Housing Police and the NYPD in 1995. Lynch sees the
diminished numbers of police officers assigned
to NYCHA developments as a major factor in the
disconnect.
Prior to the merger, there were 2,800 police
officers assigned to public housing developments. Today, there are approximately 1,900 officers, many of whom are reassigned, depending
on other staffing needs.
Patrick Lynch attended the next meeting of
NYCHA residents and advocates at Local 237
headquarters. He was well received and he too
was told that safety and security concerns are a
PBA Joins Effort,
Unites With 237
Calling for More Cops
to Improve Safety
Two presidents shake on it: Patrick Lynch of the
Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, and Gregory
Floyd of Local 237.
common denominator. Lynch told the participants: “Our cops are there to protect you. But
they also want to come home to their families at
the end of the day. Knowing the residents is key
to better policing. But, unfortunately, today, there
are simply not enough cops to go around.”
Shortly after the meeting, Floyd and Lynch
launched a plan: They would write to the Mayor
to demand more police officers for NYCHA developments. In a hand-delivered letter, the two
union leaders wrote: “As U.S. Attorney Preet
Bharara recently noted, the New York City Housing Authority has an obligation to provide its residents with housing that is ‘decent, safe, sanitary,
and in good repair.’ Whether or not this minimum legal standard has been met, it is clear to us
that the already-unacceptable crime and public
safety conditions in our NYCHA developments
have only further deteriorated since your Administration took office.
“While serious ‘index’ crimes have increased
citywide by only 0.22% as of May 15, NYCHA
developments had seen a year-to-date increase of
8.9% in index crimes, including an 18.8% increase in murders, a 14.7% increase in felony assaults, and a 22.1% increase in burglaries. These
trends must not be allowed to continue. NYCHA
residents need and deserve better.
“We therefore call on your Administration to
take meaningful action to improve the safety environment in NYCHA developments by restoring
at least 900 police officers to the NYPD’s Housing
Bureau as part of a citywide NYPD staffing increase…The recent increases in NYPD headcount
have not been nearly enough to address the citywide decline in staffing levels, which have fallen
by more than 6,000 since their pre-9/11 peak. It is
imperative that additional hiring is authorized as
soon as possible in order to meet the City’s obligations to the residents of NYCHA developments,
which are still the best example of affordable
housing for nearly 600,000 New Yorkers.”
As Floyd and Lynch await the Mayor’s response and consider their next step, one thing
seems certain: NYCHA residents and advocate
leaders are willing to work with union members
to improve public housing for the benefit of all
parties. As Floyd noted: “We don’t need any filters. We want to work directly with the residents
on a plan to fix the problems known best by those
who live and work in these developments.”
2
NEWSLINE, July/August 2016
Local 237 Member Services
UNION HEADQUARTERS
212-924-2000
216 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10011-7296
A Message From Gregory Floyd
PERSONNEL, 5th Fl.
212-924-2000
Edmund Kane, Director and
Chief Negotiator
President, Teamsters Local 237, and Trustee on the
General Board of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
LOCAL 237 DIVISIONS
CITYWIDE DIVISION, 2nd Fl.
212-924-2000
Donald Arnold, Director
Derek Jackson, Director,
Law Enforcement Division
Randy Klein, Deputy Director
HOUSING DIVISION, 2nd Fl.
212-924-2000
LONG ISLAND DIVISION
631-851-9800
100 West Main Street, Babylon,
New York 11702
John Burns, Director
Benedict Carenza,
Deputy Director
Long Island Welfare Fund:
For information on the various
funds call 800-962-1145
POLITICAL ACTION &
LEGISLATION, 5th Fl.
212-924-2000
Local 237 protects members’
rights by helping to sponsor legislation that is important to members, and by opposing initiatives
that would hurt members.
Patricia Stryker, Director
GRIEVANCES/DISCIPLINARY
PROBLEMS, 6th Fl.
212-924-2000
For grievances and job related
problems, first contact your shop
steward and/or grievance representative. If they can’t resolve the
issue, contact your business agent.
RETIREE DIVISION, 8th Fl.
Mal Patterson, Director of
212-807-0555
Grievances and Hearings
Provides a variety of pre- and postTodd Rubinstein, Esq.
retirement services, including penGrievance Coordinator
sion and health insurance counseling to members. (Pension counseling by appointment, Thursdays CIVIL SERVICE BAR ASSN
only). General retirement counsel- 6th Fl., 212-675-0519
ing and retirement planning series Saul Fishman, President
during spring and fall.
Aldona Vaiciunas,
Nancy B. True, Director
Office Administrator and
LOCAL 237 DEPARTMENTS
Grievance Coordinator
(Citywide and Housing)
John Picucci, Esq.,
SKILLED TRADES, 2nd Fl.
Grievance Representative
212-924-2000
CSBA Welfare Fund
Donald Arnold, Director
Alicare 866-647-4617
HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2nd Fl.
COMMUNICATIONS, 5th Fl.
212-924-2000
646-638-8501
Donald Arnold, Director
Phyllis S. Shafran, Director
Diane Stein, Coordinator
Local 237 Newsline, Editor
MEMBERSHIP, 2nd Fl.
Website: www.local237.org
212-924-2000
Provides membership services
and records, including address
changes.
WELFARE FUND, 3rd Fl.
212-924-7220
The Fund administers the eligibility, enrollment, disability,
optical and death benefits
directly by the Fund’s in-house
staff, as well as prescription
and dental programs indirectly.
Mitchell Goldberg, Director
LEGAL SERVICES, 4th Fl.
212-924-1220
Lawyers advise and represent
members on covered personal
legal problems, including domestic relations (family court proceedings, divorce and separation),
purchase and sale of a primary
residence, wills, adoptions, credit
and consumer problems, tenant
rights and bankruptcies.
Office Hours:
Mon.- Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mary Sheridan Esq., Director
Kenneth Perry Esq.,
Deputy Director
EXECUTIVE OFFICES, 5th Fl.
212-924-2000
Gregory Floyd, President
Richard Hendershot,
Vice President
Ruben Torres,
Secretary-Treasurer
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
8th Fl.
212-807-0550
Provides a variety of training and
educational advancement opportunities for members.
Bertha Aiken, Director
USEFUL NUMBERS
FOR PRE-RETIREES
NYCERS (New York City
Employees Retirement System)
By Mail: 335 Adams St., Suite
2300, Brooklyn, NY 11201-3751
In Person: 340 Jay Street,
Mezzanine, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Gen’l Information: 347-643-3000
Outside NYC toll-free:
877-6NYCERS
NYCERS Internet
www.nyclink.org/html/nycers
NYC Department of Education
Retirement System
65 Court St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-935-5400
Social Security Administration
800-772-1213
NY State and Local Retirement
Systems
518-474-7736
Wrong Road to a Cure
L
to perform many of their duties alone
ast year, when Mayor de Blasio
and at off-hours.
issued his proposal for the City’s
With NYCHA’s history of broken
budget, he expressed concern about
locks, windows, elevators, security cama growing deficit that would adversely
eras, radios and lighting, we sought a
impact millions of New Yorkers and
remedy in legal action against NYCHA,
the City’s ability to provide essential
which was resolved with the Authority
services. In his budget presentation, he
committing to address the security iscited his greatest concerns. Public
sues we raised for both workers and resihousing, home for nearly 600,000 residents.
dents, was listed among the top probHighlighting the severity of this
lems the City faced.
problem is the recent arrest of more
The Mayor went on to unveil a plan
than 100 gang members — the largest
his team devised to help reverse the
gang takedown in New York’s history
downward economic spiral of NYCHA,
— by the NYPD and Federal agents in
entitled: “Next Generation NYCHA.”
northern Bronx, including crime activiCalling it a “10-year roadmap…to stabity in NYCHA developments. At the
lize the (Housing) Authority,” NextGen
press conference announcing the arincluded ideas to generate new funding
as well as ways to improve management rests, US Attorney Preet Bharara said
that NYCHA residents “are not getting
efficiency and save money.
the statutorily required level of housSounds good? Not really! It seems
ing that is decent, safe, sanitary and in
that NextGen was so focused on the fugood repair,” which helps “gang chaos
ture that it forgot about the current generation of NYCHA residents and workers. to take root.”
While we welcome this investigaOne of the “key strategies” that the plan
tion, it is little comfort to the family of
calls for is the selling or leasing of supSadie Mitchell, 92, who was killed by a
posedly unused or underused playstray bullet at home in 2009 while
grounds and parking lots, as well as the
watching “Wheel of Fortune,” — a
“better-use” of developments in some of
death exemplary of the reasons for the
the City’s most desirable locations, that
gang arrests.
could ostensibly generate huge sums of
In the new budget to take effect
money paid by developers to help fulfill
July 1, 2016, the Mayor once again
the Mayor’s plan for creating more afidentified areas of major concern. This
fordable housing.
time, public hospitals received the
This is simply the privatization of
“roadmap” treatment. Although a plan
public housing for private profit. It
for privatization and other questionwould leave current residents with few
able cost-cutting remedies are not as
guarantees and gentrification that raisclearly
outlined as in NextGen
es the question: For whom is this new
NYCHA, once again we must be conhousing and community affordable?
cerned that a new generation of probIn addition, for our 8,000 members
lems will not be addressed by the prewho work for NYCHA — one third of
scribed road to a cure.
whom are residents too — privatization
offers few employment guarantees. We have vehemently
voiced our opposition to
NYCHA’s land-grab plan and
continue to use every opportunity to make our dissatisfaction known.
Another one of NextGen’s
key strategies is even more
troubling. As part of the
NYCHA efficiency plan, FlexOps was created. Publicized
to residents as a way to deliver improved services, FlexOps changes caretakers’ work
hours. This is not only a violation of their contract, but
also presents safety and security concerns. Fifty-six per“Just taking a survey. Which presidential
cent of that workforce are
candidate do you dislike more?”
women who would be forced
NEWSLINE, July/August 2016
3
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
74 Graduate in Department of Homeless Services
The Department of Homeless
Services (DHS) held graduation ceremonies in April and May.
On hand for both were Local 237
President Gregory Floyd; Charlie
Cotto, Law Enforcement Business
Agent; and Derek Jackson, Director
of Law Enforcement.
At the April graduation, above,
Floyd is front row right, Cotto is
front row left, and Jackson is in the
second row left.
At the May graduation, top
right, Gregory Floyd and Derek Jackson are pictured second row right,
and Cotto is first row left.
Seventy-four cadets were certified as DHS Police Officers.
Here is a list of the proud graduates:
April
Juan Almenas, Colin Baird,
Danielle Baker, Stacey Beauchamp,
Darren Browno, Wentworth Corbin,
Ernst Desrameaux, William Dwyer,
Bernie Faison, Nikki Footman,
Robert Giscombe, Natasha Glaude,
René Haynes, Gamel Holder, Zahir
Jackson, Shantell Johnson, Andrew
Lovick, Stephanie Maximin, Vernordo McCoy, Leslie McPhaul, Kenneth
Mends, Cliedy Ortiz, Irfan Patel,
Edwin Rosario, Eric Schussel,
Cheddi Sealy, Shelly Smith,
Michael Velasquez, Takiera Young.
May
Denise
Abraham-Sexius,
Tabitha Acaba, Robyn Alexander,
Philip Alleyne, Lesley Alvarez,
Sharonda Anderson, Sean Andre,
Andre Armstead, Steven Arriola,
Tammara Bannister, Delroy Barbee,
Jamal Barksdale, Christopher Bazile,
Laquan Beauvil, Edwin Bello, Saeed
Bernard, Shonette Best, Katrina
Bethea, Ian Bourne, Kervin Bravo,
Ashley Brown, Terish Brown, Shonda Burton, Diana Calixte, Walter
Chang, Ashley Charles, Glenn Cherry, Julian Cherry, Latisha ColemanWhite, Joseph Collazo, Shavonne
Conway, Ismaelite Dortelus, Stefanie Ellis, Elicio Flores, Evan
Govan, Francisco Javier, Tania Joint,
Kenyata Lamey, Vanessa Langrey,
Tiffany Murray, Donna Ramsey, Destiny Shepp, Prabhjot Singh, Nicole
Smith, Amos Woods.
Local 237
NEWSLINE
216 West 14th St., New York, NY 10011
646-638-8501
Website: www.local237.org
e-mail Newsline: [email protected]
Gregory Floyd Richard Hendershot
President
Vice President
Edmund Kane
Trustee
Ruben Torres
Patricia Stryker
Secretary-Treasurer Recording Secretary
Curtis Scott
Trustee
Jeanette Taveras
Newsline and www.local237.org
Phyllis S. Shafran
Trustee
Editor
Special thanks in the preparation of Newsline to Gisela (GiGi) Reyes,
Executive Administrative Assistant, and Winston George,
Deputy Director of the Retiree Division.
IF YOU MOVE – Please send your change of address in writing to Membership
to insure that you continue receiving your newspaper.
Metro NY
Labor
Communications
Council
Reaching Out With Gregory Floyd
Tune in every Saturday at 8:30
a.m. to hear Local 237’s radio program, “Reaching Out With Gregory
Floyd.” Listen at Radio AM 970
“The Answer,” or online at
www.am970theanswer.com.
Our TV series is carried on New
York City and Long Island cable TV
systems. “Reaching Out” features
President Floyd in conversation
with leading government and elected officials, union leaders and
Local 237 members discussing key
issues that impact all who live and
work in New York City and on Long
Island.
Recent guests included U.S.
Senator Charles Schumer, City
Council Member Ritchie Torres, and
police union chief Patrick Lynch,
president of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA).
Pictured right, top to bottom, Gregory Floyd with U.S. Senator Charles Schumer,
City Council Member Ritchie Torres, and Patrick Lynch, President of the
Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA).
See video excerpts of “Reaching Out With Greg Floyd” on Local 237’s
website at www.local237.org/videos. The complete programs air on the
NYC cable TV systems and Cablevision Long Island systems listed below.
Local 237 Newsline (USPS 700-000 ISSN 1083-3536) is published bimonthly by Local 237,
International Brotherhood of Teamsters, 216 West 14 Street, New York, NY 10011.
Periodical postage paid at New York, NY. Postmaster: Send address changes to
Local 237 Newsline, 216 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011.
Executive Board
ON AIR
Local 237: On the Air
STATEN ISLAND COMMUNITY
TELEVISION (CTV):
Time Warner Ch.34 & Verizon FIOS
Ch.34
Tuesdays, 7 p.m.
BRONXNET:
Cablevision Ch. 70 & Verizon FIOS
Ch. 36
Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.
Multiple program repeats during
the week: Mondays, 7 a.m. & 11
a.m.; Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m.;
Wednesdays, 11:30 p.m.
MANHATTAN NEIGHBORHOOD
NETWORK (MNN):
Time Warner Ch. 34, RCN Ch. 82
& Verizon FIOS Ch. 33
Wednesdays, 8:30 p.m.
BROOKLYN PUBLIC NETWORK
(BRIC):
Time Warner Ch. 79, Cablevision
Ch. 68, Verizon FIOS Ch. 43, & RCN
Ch. 83
Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.
QUEENS PUBLIC TELEVISION
(QPTV):
Time Warner Ch. 79 & 1998
Verizon FIOS Ch. 35 & RCN Ch. 83
Mondays, 1 p.m., Tuesdays, 9 p.m.
LONG ISLAND CABLEVISION:
Hauppauge System Ch. 20
Sundays, 4:30 p.m.
Woodbury System Ch. 20
Fridays, 7:30 p.m.
4
NEWSLINE, July/August 2016
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Recognition Well Deserved
North Central Hospital’s Peace Officer Week 2016 award was bestowed
on Sgt. Jones; Sgt. Gilliard; PO Gonzalez; PO Magnum; PO Cooper; PO
Vargas; Sgt. Mayme; PO Velasquez; PO Khan and PO McCrae.
Hospital Police at Jacobi Hospital received the “Peace Officer of the Week Award”
Recipients are: First row: PO James; Det. Frias; Sgt. Kocher; PO Morales; PO Pasilla; Capt.
Suero; Interim Chief Executive Fugazy; HP Asst. Dir. Pagan; PO Noriega. Second row: PO
Tyson; HP Dir. McMorrow; PO Monroe; PO Green; PO Khalil; Dr. Teperman; PO Hart; PO
Johnson. Top row: Sgt. Vasquez and PO Gonzalez.
Hospital Police at Lincoln Hospital received the “Peace Officer of the Week Award”
Recipients are: Lt. Cruz; PO Cole; PO Vives; PO Delione; PO Madrigal; PO Lainbright;
PO Wilson; PO Wheaton; PO Nicholson; PO Jack; PO Rahman; Capt. Santiago; Lt.
Marrero and PO Lay.
Right, North
Central Bronx
Hospital implemented a new
program titled
“Staff
Engagement” to
acknowledge
employees who
go above and
beyond the call of
duty. Receiving
the honor are Sgt.
Rosemary Maymi,
left, and Officer
Melissa Rivera,
right, flanking
Capt. Audrey
Anthony-Lopez.
Public housing
members at Pomonok,
left, and Seth Low
Houses, right, received
a visit from Local 237
President Gregory
Floyd, center in both
pictures, who thanked
the members for their
dedication to a job
well-done.
Congratulations to Hubert Evans, 87, Brooklyn
College Campus Police Officer, here with
Brooklyn College president Karen Gold. Evans
achieved his lifelong dream of receiving a college
diploma and recently graduated Medgar Evers
College, where he majored in political science
and minored in physics. He plans to begin a
career as a college education counselor.
Metro New York Labor Communications Council
bestowed two awards to Local 237 for journalistic
excellence. One went to the Retiree Division for its
video “Union Voices Create History,” and one was presented to President Gregory Floyd for best editorial:
“The Need for Contracting Accountability and
Transparency at NYCHA.”
CUNY Police Officer Curt Caesar, right, receives the
“Peace Officer of the Year Award” from Chief Arnold
Bernabe at Hostos Community College in May.
NEWSLINE, July/August 2016
5
The Political and Labor Scenes
Statewide $15 Minimum Wage Is Passed
President Gregory Floyd and
members of Local 237 were proud to
have played a role in helping to
achieve a $15 minimum wage and
paid family leave for workers in New
York State.
Governor Cuomo, joined by former
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,
signed the historic legislation into law
at the Javits Center, following months of
the statewide “Fight for $15” campaign
— spearheaded by labor — to convince
Albany lawmakers that dignity in the
workplace begins with a decent wage.
Throughout the campaign, our
message was clear: If you work all
day, you shouldn’t have to worry
about being able to afford food to put
on the table for your family at night.
Added to a $15 minimum wage,
the passage of Paid Family Leave was
also signed into law, placing our priorities where they should be — with
our families and the things that really
matter. Workers should not be forced
to choose between taking care of a
newborn or a sick loved one and losing their job. Now, in New York State,
they won’t have this worry. We are
very hopeful that our efforts also help
send a powerful message throughout
the nation: “Workers make this country run. Treat them fairly and the positive results will benefit everyone.”
Arms and thumbs up in victory! Leading the celebrants at the Javits Center were,
on the left, Governor Cuomo and Hillary Clinton.
Bricklayers Contracts Signed
Contracts for both Bricklayers
and Bricklayer Supervisors were
overwhelmingly ratified on May 23.
The vote was 64 to 10.
Among the contracts’ provisions
are retroactive pay, a signing bonus
and increases in the employer’s contribution to the Welfare Fund for active
and retired members and the annuity
fund for Bricklayers. In addition, as of
June 1, 2016, premium overtime will
be paid after 40 hours in pay status.
Below, ensuring an accurate
count, are: Edmund Kane, Local 237
Executive Board Trustee; Michael
Maiorano, Bricklayer Supervisor,
Manhattan; Mirdersi Martinez, Local
237
Administrative
Assistant;
Richard Sale, Bricklayer, DCAS;
Gilbert Rivera, Bricklayer, Shop
Steward, NYCHA, Manhattan; Ruben
Torres, Local 237 Executive Board
Secretary-Treasurer, and Donald
Arnold, Local 237 Director, Citywide.
Local 237 members attending the celebratory rally, left to right, were Diane Stein,
Health and Safety Coordinator; Donald Arnold, Citywide Director; Curtis Scott,
Housing Business Agent and Trustee; Derek Jackson, Law Enforcement Director;
Dwayne Montgomery, Integrity Director; Paul D’amato, Housing Business Agent,
and Jeanette Taveras, Law Enforcement Business Agent and Trustee.
Labor Council Honors Floyd
The Congressman Comes to Call
The New York City Central Labor
Council held its annual awards reception in April to honor labor leaders who have distinguished themselves for their extraordinary efforts
on behalf of their members.
Local 237’s President, Gregory
Floyd, was among this year’s honorees. On hand to help celebrate
Floyd’s honor were, left to right:
Phyllis Shafran, Director of Com-
munications; Donald Arnold, Director, Citywide; Derek Jackson, Director, Law Enforcement; Gregory
Floyd, President, Teamster’s Local
237; Kevin Norman, Special Assistant to the President; Jeanette
Taveras, Law Enforcement Business Agent and Trustee; Dwayne
Montgomery, Director of Integrity,
and Charlie Cotto, Law Enforcement Business Agent.
Congressman Peter King, center, paid a visit to workers of the Long Island
Division, where he was greeted by Gregory Floyd, President, Local 237, left,
and Benny Carenza, Deputy Director, Long Island Division.
6
NEWSLINE, July/August 2016
!
ARRIBA! PUERTO R
The parade
was a real
family affair.
Local 237
members
brought their
families and
friends to
enjoy the
festivities.
Local 237 marchers getting ready to kick off with Curtis Scott, Housing Business Agent and Trustee on the
Executive Board, left; President Gregory Floyd, wearing the blue hat; George Miranda, IBT International
Vice-President-at large, wearing the white hat; Patricia Stryker, Recording Secretary on the Executive
Board, and Ruben Torres, Secretary-Treasurer, Executive Board, right.
Left, Adrian Merced, Local 210 Business
Agent, and Charlie Cotto, Local 237 Law
Enforcement Business Agent. Right,
Ruben Torres, 237 Secretary-Treasurer.
Left, Norberto
Luna, Housing
Business Agent
and parade
coordinator for
Local 237.
Right, More
than 300 Local
237 members
marched in this
year’s parade.
Marching up 5th Avenue were, left to right, HHC retiree Kenneth Fox; Gregory Floyd, President, Teamsters
Local 237; George Miranda, IBT International Vice-President-at-large; Jeanette Taveras, Law Enforcement
Business Agent and Trustee on the Executive Board; Patricia Stryker, Recording Secretary on the
Executive Board, and Ruben Torres, Secretary-Treasurer, Executive Board.
NEWSLINE, July/August 2016
RICO
7
On Sunday, June 12, 5th Avenue came alive with the sights and sounds of this
beautiful island. Over one million spectators lined the streets to enjoy the colorful
floats and live music representing the rich culture and heritage of the Puerto Rican
people. Members of Local 237 marched with President Gregory Floyd and the
Executive Board in this parade of pride and celebration of tradition.
Governor Andrew Cuomo, holding the Puerto Rican flag, was among the dignitaries participanting.
The Explorers, an NYPD program supported by School
Safety Agents, were among the youthful marchers.
Fifth Avenue was Salsa Avenue for a day.
Gregory Floyd,
left, with
George
Miranda, IBT
International
Vice-Presidentat-large, and
Adrian Merced,
Local 210
Business
Agent.
From the Long Island Division were, left, Benny Carenza,
Deputy Director; Peggy Conroy; Louise Lorde and Nancy
Provenzano from the Brentwood school district, with Gregory
Floyd, President, Local 237.
Curtis Scott, Housing
Business Agent and
Trustee on the Executive
Board.
Gregory Floyd, President, Local 237, left, and George
Miranda, IBT International Vice-President, stopped by St.
Patrick’s Cathedral and was greeted by the Reverend
Monsignor Robert Ritchie.
Local 237’s float as it passes by St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Left to right: Benny
Carenza, Long Island
Deputy Director; Lenny
Welch, School Safety
Agent L3; Jeanette
Taveras, Law
Enforcement Business
Agent and Trustee on the
Executive Board; George
Miranda, IBT International
Vice-President-at-large,
and Gregory Floyd,
President, Local 237.
Retirees:(left to right) Cejester Walker; Jose Alicea; Bandleader Papo
Pepin (who also performed on the float); Nancy True, Director of the
Retiree Division; Elsa Nias; Nora Davilla; Olga Vasallo Perez and
Leroy Nias.
8
NEWSLINE, July/August 2016
LONG ISLAND
REPORT
German Pride on Display
The Long Island Division hosted its first-ever
celebration of the German heritage. The evening
included terrific food and music highlighting German
Enjoying the festivities are, left to right, Frank Rella,
Local 237 Law Enforcement Business Agent; Benny
Carenza, Deputy Director, Long Island Division;
Gregory Floyd, Local 237 President; Richard
Hendershot, Local 237 Executive Board Vice
President; Trisha Wade; Cathy Rice, Business Agent,
Long
Island
Division;
Midersi
Martinez,
Administrative Assistant, Law Enforcement and
Citywide and, seated, are Jeanette Taveras, Law
Enforcement Business Agent and Executive Board
Trustee, and Gisela Reyes, Executive Assistant.
Richard Hendershot, left, Local 237 Executive Board
Vice President, received The Lifetime Achievement
Award from Local 237 President Gregory Floyd.
Nancy Provenzano was among the honorees. She is pictured with, left to right: Richard Hendershot, Local 237
Executive Board Vice President; her husband Russell; sons
Brian and Peter; Gregory Floyd, President Local 237, and
Benny Carenza, Deputy Director, Long Island Division.
Robert Verch, from the Town of Babylon, left,
joined Gregory Floyd, President, Local 237,
right, to thank members of the VFW, Martin
Kessler, Post 2912, for donating their hall for
the German heritage celebration.
culture and pride. Several members also received
awards in acknowledgement of their dedication to a
job well done. A great time was had by all.
Robert Prager was unable to attend the event, but
was well represented by his daughters Jessica and
Ashley, who received the award on his behalf from
Local 237 President Gregory Floyd.
John Hoffmann, left, received the President’s Award.
He is pictured with Gregory Floyd, Local 237
President, center, and Benny Carenza, Deputy
Director, Long Island Division.
Members in the News
Brentwood schools
food service workers attending their
quarterly meeting,
along with Jeanette
Taveras,
Law
Enforcement
Business
Agent
and Executive Board Trustee, first row, left. Second row: Len Proctor,
Local 237, Deputy Director of the Welfare Fund; Gregory Floyd,
President, Local 237; John Burns, Director, Long Island Division; Charlie
Cotto, Local 237 Law Enforcement Business Agent; Midersi Martinez,
Administrative Assistant, Law Enforcement and Citywide, and Benny
Carenza, Deputy Director, Long Island Division.
Food service workers
from the Brentwood
school district, Pine
Park
Elementary
School,
celebrated
the birthday of Sonia
Lemus, pictured to
the right of Benny
Carenza,
Deputy
Director, Long Island
Division, who was on hand to extend his congratulations.
Congressman
Peter
King,
center, paid a
visit to the
Long
Island
Division’s
Brentwood
workers.
He
was greeted at
the Brentwood American Legion by Gregory
Floyd, President, Local 237, left, and Scott
Dimperio, who works in the Brentwood school
district as a MM3/Electronics member.
Retirees from the Brentwood school district. Left to right: Carmello Sancetta;
James Johnston and Jose Gonzalez.
Brentwood school district, Hemlock Park
Elementary School food workers.
Half Hollow School District members
from the Buildings & Grounds group.
NEWSLINE, July/August 2016
9
Lending A Helping Hand
Members in the News
School Safety Agents from
Port Richmond High School
were the first on the scene to
aid a stabbing victim, her injured 2-year-old son and traumatized 3-year-old daughter.
They applied a medical triage kit
and called the NYPD and EMS.
Pictured from left to right: SSA1
Malaynee Feliberti; SSA1 Saju
Varghese; SSA 3 Horlad Wise; SSA1 L.C Williams; SSA1 Danielle Caserta;
SSA1 David Perez and SSA1 Jasmine Galarza.
Human Resources Administration (HRA) Police Officer
LeVarr Greenfield successfully intervened when a menacing
client tried to stab other officers at an HRA site. His
heroic effort helped lead to the arrest of the client.
Gerard J. Martuscelli, has retired after 36 years as a DOT Mason
Helper. We wish him all the best! He is flanked, left, by Joseph Saverino, DOT Cement Mason, and Donald Arnold, Director of the Citywide
Division.
Also, Local 237 joins Nittie Johnson to wish her husband, Norris
Johnson, congratulations as he retires after 25 years as a Queens South
School Safety Agent at MS 137.
SSA3 Frankienette Roberson, with
the assistance of SSA1 Justin Capote,
confiscated a large meat cleaver and a
razor blade from the backpack of a female student attempting to enter The
High School of Fashion Industries. This
school has no metal detectors. The
quick actions of the school safety officers resulted in the Superintendent
Suspension for the student.
Keeping Our Members Informed
Is an FHA Mortgage Right For You?
Mary E. Sheridan, Esq.,
Director of Local 237 Legal Services Plan
T
Opera singer and School Safety Agent Daniela Taormina, center, who
has worked 13 years at PS 36 in Staten Island, sang the Star Spangled Banner at the City Council in April, kicking off “Women’s Herstory Month.”
She has performed in many other venues, including the Mets’ Citifield.
Taormina comes from a musical family — her father is a tenor at the Metropolitan Opera House.
CONDOLENCES
It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of the following
Local 237 members or members of their family. They will be missed.
To the family of KIMBERLY L. GARRETT, a dedicated and much-loved School
Safety Agent l, working in the Manhattan South Command, who died in May.
•••
To BETSY RAMJATTAN, Members Services Manager, on the passing of
her most cherished grandmother, Isaura “Sarah” Torres, in June.
•••
To ALFRED BROWN, School Safety Agent lll, on the death of his
beloved brother, Lawsie Brown in June.
•••
To SCHOOL SAFETY AGENT III ANDRE WILLIAMS (formerly known as
SALLEY) upon the death of his devoted father, Norris McAdoo, who
passed away in April.
SCHOOL SAFETY AGENT SANDRA CRANFORD was posthumously honored
for 28 years of dedicated service at PS 14, in the Stapleton section of Staten Island, with a street named in her memory.
Sandra was a revered mentor and friend to
countless people and known as a permanent
fixture in the community. Now that she is gone,
her name, on a street sign, will be a permanent
reminder of a life that touched so many.
he American dream of owning a home is alive and
well. Here at Local 237 Legal Services Plan, we
have been very busy representing members eligible for our legal services who are interested in buying a
coop, condo, one or two family home to live in. One of
the most common questions confronting a first-time
home buyer is whether or not an FHA mortgage is the
best financing option for buying a home.
Unlike conventional mortgages, FHA mortgages allow you to borrow up
to 96.5% of the purchase price of the home resulting in a cash contribution
of as little as 3.5%. A benefit for many is that those with lower credit scores
may qualify for FHA mortgages.
But when it comes to FHA mortgages, where there is good there is bad.
If you borrow 96.5% of the purchase price of a home it means you must pay
a Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) in order to secure the loan. This MIP
is paid in two ways: an upfront yearly premium and also monthly for the
life of the loan. The upfront premium is rolled into your mortgage and is
currently 1.75% of your total loan amount. So, for a $350,000 mortgage, that
is an additional $6,125 added into your total mortgage.
Where you pay MIP on an initial mortgage of over 90% of the purchase
price, that monthly mortgage insurance premium will be paid for the life of
your mortgage — even when your equity in the home exceeds 20% of the
home’s appraised value. Your only way out of that monthly MIP will be to
apply for an FHA streamline, or refinance your mortgage at some point.
FHA is great for those with little cash saved to buy and those with less
than excellent credit scores. However, the more cash you have to contribute
to your home purchase, the less interest and mortgage insurance you will
pay, saving you substantial money in the long run.
The Kianga House Festival will take place on Saturday, August 20,
from 10am to 4pm at 1504 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn. Proceeds from the
sale of food will go to aid the homeless young mothers and their children
at that shelter. The children will also perform starting at 1pm. To lend
your support and make a contribution, contact School Safety Agent
Jacqueline Dowd at 3foodllc.com
PROMOTION
As of April 4, Jean C. Stokes was promoted to Director of Membership Department and Employees Relations. Her salary is $1,687.00 per
week ($87,724 per year.)
10
NEWSLINE, July/August 2016
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Recognition Well Deserved
The 2nd Annual School Safety Agent
Recognition Ceremony held in May at the
headquarters of the Department of
Education honored 47 School Safety Agents,
pictured with Chancellor Carmen Fariña,
first row, third from the right, and members
of the NYPD and the DOE.
Twenty-two School Safety Agents from the Bronx East and the Bronx West Commands were acknowledged at the UFT
Recognition Dinner in June. They are pictured with officials from the NYPD and the DOE as well as the new Bronx
District Attorney, Darcel Clark, fourth from the left, and Derek Jackson, Local 237 Director of Law Enforcement, is third
from the right.
Changes to Health Care Insurance for NYC Employees
By Mitch Goldberg
Director, Welfare Fund
T
here have been several
changes to health care
insurance for New York
City employees. By now you
should have received a mailing from EmblemHealth outlining the changes. Since these
changes may have an impact
on your personal health care coverage, you are
urged to review these changes carefully.
All changes become effective on July 1,
2016.
Here’s an overview of some of those
changes:
GHI CBP Medical Plan
The GHI CBP program will enhance coverage to provide for in-network preventive services such as Routine Physicals, Immunizations,
Colonoscopies and Mammograms. Certain prescription drugs, including some preventive prescriptions currently covered by the Teamsters
Local 237 Welfare Fund, will now be covered by
your GHI plan. These services will be available
with $0 copayments. In addition, copayments
have been reduced when you visit a primary
care physician (PCP) or specialist affiliated with
the multi-specialty physician practice of AdvantageCare Physicians (ACPNY). For more information, visit acpny.com.
Empire BlueCross BlueShield
Hospitalization Plan
The current copay for the Emergency Room
is $50. Starting on July 1, 2016, this will increase to $150, which will be waived if you are
admitted to the hospital within 24 hours.
Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP)
MOOP refers to the maximum amount of innetwork cost-sharing expenses that you will pay
in each plan year for covered services/essential
health benefits received from Participating
Providers under the GHI/Empire BlueCross
BlueShield plans combined.
MOOP includes deductibles, coinsurance
and copay charge amounts that you must pay for
covered in-network services and any applicable
riders in a policy year. Cost-sharing amounts attributable to services received from Non-Participating Providers generally do not count toward
MOOP. Amounts incurred for non-covered services and other non-covered expenses, such as
amounts in excess of plan allowances as well as
any financial penalties, do not count toward
MOOP. Premiums and/or premium contributions
also do not count toward MOOP. The MOOP
amount may change from plan year to plan year,
as determined by the Federal Government.
For July 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016, the
GHI Medical MOOP is $2,175 for an individual
and $4,350 for a family. The EBCBS Hospital
MOOP is $1,250 for an individual and $2,500
for a family.
Telehealth
Effective July 1, you will have access to a
Telehealth benefit through American Well
(AmWell) for a $15 copayment. This is a Telehealth company which uses technology that allows you to access remote clinical health care
via online video interaction or telephone. This
service is not a substitute for visiting your PCP,
but rather an alternative method for receiving
care for minor, everyday ailments which may
not require a visit to your doctor.
HIP HMO Members
Your HIP HMO plan continues to offer you
$0 copayments for office visits when you choose
a Preferred Primary Care Physician (PCP)
provider from the Prime Network. If you choose
a non-preferred PCP provider within the Prime
Network, you will have modest copayments for
services.
As a HIP HMO member, you are required to
select a participating PCP. When you choose a pre-
ferred PCP from among the participating
providers, you will have no copayment for primary and specialty care office visits. Additional
services, such as diagnostic and lab tests, will also
be provided with no copayment. If you choose a
PCP that is not a preferred provider, you will have
a $10 copayment for primary care and specialty
office visits, and diagnostic and lab tests.
Member ID Cards
Preferred PCP: If you are currently using a
preferred PCP, you may continue to use the
member ID card you already have. Non-Preferred PCP: If you choose a non-preferred PCP,
your new member ID card will be mailed to you
approximately 10 days prior to the July 1, 2016,
effective date of your new plan. Please begin
using it when claiming benefits, and be sure to
destroy your previous card once you receive
your new one.
Additional Enhancements for both GHI/CBP
and HIP HMO Plans
Zocdoc
This is an online service you can use to find
and book in-network doctors’ appointments,
often for the same day. For more information regarding this new benefit, visit zocdoc.com/nyc.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the changes
to your GHI CBP medical benefits, please call
EmblemHealth Customer Service at 1-800-6242414, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm (closed on
weekends.) If you have a hearing or speech impairment and use a TTY/TDD, please call 711.
Or, visit the website at emblemhealth.com/city.
If you have any questions about changes to your
Empire BlueCross BlueShield hospital benefits,
call 1-800-433-9592. Or visit the website at empireblue.com/nyc. You can also visit the City of
New York Office of Labor Relations at
NYC.gov/olr.
NEWSLINE, July/August 2016
11
Resumen en Español
Cambios al Seguro de Salud Para Los Miembros Sin Medicare
Ha habido varios cambios al plan
de seguro de salud para los empleados de la Ciudad. A la fecha, Ud.
debió de haber recibido un comunicado por correo de EmblemHealth
sobre los cambios en los Planes de
Salud para los miembros empleados
de la Ciudad de Nueva York. Ya que
estos cambios pueden tener u impacto sobre la cobertura de su salud
personal, usted debe revisarlas
cuidadosamente.
Todos los cambios entran en
vigor Julio 1, 2016.
Lo siguiente es un resumen de
esos cambios:
1, 2016 esto aumentará a $150, que
no se aplicará si usted es admitido al
hospital dentro de 24 horas.
El Plan GHI CBP
El programa GHI CBP tendrá
mejor cobertura, para proveer servicios preventivos dentro de la red tal
como vacunas, exámenes físicos de
rutina y mamografías, colonoscopías.
Ciertos medicamentos, incluyendo
algunas prescripciones preventivas
actualmente cubiertas por el Fondo
de Assistencia Social de Teamsters
Local 237, ahora serán cubiertos por
el plan GHI. Estos servicios estarán
disponibles por $0 de copago.
Además, los copagos han sido reducidos cuando usted visita un médico de atención primaria (PCP) o un
especialista afiliado a la práctica
médica multi-especializada AdvantageCare Physicians (ACPNY). Para
más información. Visite acpny.com.
Desembolso Máximo (MOOP)
MOOP se refiere a la máxima
cantidad de dinero que usted pagará
anualmente en gastos dentro de la
red
para
servicios
cubiertos/beneficios esenciales de salud
recibidos de Proveedores participantes bajo los planes combinados
de GHI/Empire BlueCross Blue
Shield. MOOP incluye las cantidades de deducibles, coseguros y copagos que usted debe pagar para servicios cubiertos dentro de la red y
cualquier cláusula aplicable en un
año de contrato. Importes de gastos
atribuibles a servicios recibidos de
los proveedores No Participantes
generalmente no cuentan para
MOOP. Importes incurridos por servicios no cubiertos y otros gastos no
cubiertos, como cantidades superiores a los subsidios del plan así
como las sanciones financieras, no
cuentan para MOOP. Primas o contribuciones hacia primas también no
cuentan para MOOP. La cantidad de
MOOP podrá cambiar cada año del
plan, según lo determine el Gobierno
Federal. Para julio1, 2016 – Diciembre 31, 2016 el MOOP de GHI es
42175 para una persona y $4350 por
familia. El MOOP de EBCBS es 1250
para una persona y 2500 por familia.
Plan de Hospitalización Empire
BlueCrossBlue Shield
El actual copago para sala de
emergencia es $50. A partir de Julio
Telehealth (Telesalud)
A partir de Julio 1º, usted tiene
acceso al beneficio Telehealth por
medio de American Well (AmWell)
por un copago de $15. Esta es una
compañía que utiliza tecnología que
le permite tener acceso a cuidado
clínico remoto por medio de interacción por video o teléfono. Este servicio NO es un substituto de visitar su
Médico Primario. Sino, un método alternativo para recibir cuidado por
una dolencia menor que quizás no requiera una visita a su doctor.
Miembros de HIP HMO
Su plan HIP HMO continua ofreciéndole $0 copago para visitas de
oficina cuando usted elige un Médico Preferido de Cuidado Primario
(PCP) de la Red Primaria. Si usted escoge un médico No Preferido como
PCP dentro de la Red Primaria, usted
tendrá copagos modestos para sus
servicios. Como miembro de HIP, se
le exigirá seleccionar un PCP (médico de cuidado primario). Cuando
usted elige un PCP preferido de entre
los proveedores participantes, usted
no tendrá copago alguno para visitas
de oficina para cuidado primario o
especializado. Servicios adicionales,
tal como diagnóstico o exámenes de
laboratorio, también serán provistos
sin copagos. Si usted elige a un PCP
que no es un proveedor preferido, se
le cobrará $10 de copago por visita
de oficina para cuidado primario o
de especialista, y exámenes de laboratorio o diagnósticos.
Tarjetas de ID Para Miembro
PCP Preferidos: Si usted corrientemente está usando un PCP, usted
podrá continuar usando la tarjeta de
ID de miembro que usted ya tiene.
PCP No Preferido: Si usted ha elegido un PCP No Preferido, su nueva
tarjeta de ID se le enviará por correo
aproximadamente 10 días antes de
Julio 1º 2016, la fecha efectiva de su
nuevo plan. Favor de empezar a usarla cuando reclama beneficios, y
esté seguro de destruir sus tarjetas
viejas una vez que reciba la nueva.
Mejoras Adicionales Para Ambos
Planes GHI/CBP y HIP HMO
Zocdoc
Este es un servicio por internet
que usted puede utilizar para encontrar y hacer cita con un doctor dentro
de la red, frecuentemente para el
mismo día. Para más información en
cuanto a este nuevo beneficio, visite
zocdoc.com/nyc.
¿Preguntas?
Si usted tiene cualquier pregunta
sobre los cambios a su beneficio
médico de GHI CBP, favor de llamar
a EmblemHealth Servicio al Cliente
al 1-800-624-2414, Lunes a Viernes,
8 am a 6 pm (cerrado fines de semana). Si tiene un impedimento auditivo o de habla y usa TTY/TDD, favor
de llamar al711. O, visite la página
web, emblem-health.com/city. Si
tiene alguna pregunta sobre cambios
a sus beneficios de Hospital de Empire BlueCross BlueShield, llame al
1-800-433-9592. O, Visite la página
web, empireblue.com/nyc. Usted
también puede visitar la Oficina de
Relaciones Laborales de la Ciudad de
Nueva York en NYC.gov/olr.
Floyd Forma Equipo de Trabajo: Empleados de NYCHA, Residentes y Defensores
Entre las medidas tomadas por el
Presidente Floyd para impedir el empuje de NYCHA en su afán de implementar FlexOps — el plan de cambiar las horas laborables de los
miembros en violación de sus contratos y a pesar de las fuertes objeciones del Local 237 basadas en falta
de seguridad — fue invitar a los residentes y líderes defensores a su oficina para una discusión no solo de los
problemas del nuevo plan, pero también iniciar un diálogo abierto dedicado a mejorar las condiciones para
los que viven y trabajan en las residenciales de NYCHA. Según procedía la reunión, se hizo evidente
que hubo un tema en que todos estuvieron de acuerdo: La Seguridad era
su mayor preocupación. Todos también estuvieron de acuerdo que esta
coalición de personas interesadas en
NYCHA deberá continuar creando
estrategias hacia un mejor entendimiento y a desarrollar maneras
de solucionar los problemas que
cada miembro enfrenta.
Floyd tuvo una idea adicional: Invitar a Patrick Lynch, Presidente dela
Asociación Benéfica de Policías
(PBA) a la próxima reunión. Lynch
había expresado el deseo de que los
policías
trabajasen
más
estrechamente con las comunidades de
NYCHA y así reconectarse con los
residentes—cosa que se había distan-
eran factor con denominador
común. Lynch les dijo a los
participantes:
“Nuestros
policías están allí para protegerles. Pero ellos también
quieren regresar a sus familias al final de sus jornadas.
El conocer a los residentes es
clave para mejorar el trabajo
de policía. Pero desafortunadamente, hoy día, no hay
suficientes policías para
Dos presidentes unen sus esfuerzos: Patrick
hacer las rondas.”
Lynch de la Asociación Benéfica de Policías y
Poco después de la reGregory Floyd, del Local 237.
unión, Floyd y Lynch lanciado desde que ocurrió la fusión de zaron un plan: Escribirían una carta al
la Policía de Viviendas y la NYPD en Alcalde para demandar más agentes
el 1995. Lynch ha visto la disminu- de policía para las residenciales de
ción del número de agentes de la NYCHA. En una carta entregada a
NYPD asignados a las residenciales mano, los dos líderes sindicales escride NYCHA como un factor impor- bieron: “Según notó recientemente
tante en el desenlace. Antes de la Preet Bharara, el Fiscal General de los
fusión, hubo 2,800 oficiales de policía EE.UU, la Autoridad de Viviendas de
asignados a las residenciales de la Ciudad de Nueva York tiene la
viviendas públicas. Hoy dia, hay obligación de proveer a sus residentes
aproximadamente 1,900 agentes de viviendas que son ‘decentes, seguras,
policía, muchos de los cuales son sanitarias y en buenas condiciones.’
reasignados, dependiendo de otras Ya sea o no que este estándar legal
necesidades de personal.
limitado haya sido cumplido, es claro
Patrick Lynch, (vista a la izquier- que para nosotros que las condiciones
da con Gregory Floyd) asistió a la ya inaceptables de crimen e inseguripróxima reunión de residentes y de- dad pública en nuestras residenciales
fensores de NYCHA en la oficina de NYCHA se han deteriorado desde
principal del Local 237. Fue bien que su Administración llegó al poder.
recibido y a él también se le comu- Mientras que los crímenes serios de
nicó que la seguridad y el bienestar “índice” han aumentado por toda la
ciudad por solamente un 0.22% hasta
Mayo 15, las residenciales de NYCHA
han visto un aumento de 8.9% desde
hace un año en crímenes de índice,
incluyendo un aumento de 18.8 % en
asesinatos, un aumento de 14.7% en
asaltos criminales y un aumento de
22.1% en robos residenciales. No
debemos permitir la continuación de
estas tendencias. Los residentes de
NYCHA necesitan y se merecen algo
mejor. Por lo tanto, hacemos llamado
a su Administración a que ejecute acción significativa para mejorar el ambiente de seguridad en las residenciales de NYCHA restaurando por lo
menos 900 oficiales de policía al
Destacamento de Viviendas de la
NYPD como parte del aumento del
personal policiaco por toda la ciudad… El reciente aumento en el
número de policías en la NYPD no ha
sido suficiente para lidiar con el decline en niveles de abastecimiento, el
cual ha disminuido por más de 6,000
unidades desde su nivel más alto
antes del 9/11.
Mientras que Floyd y Lynch esperan la respuesta del Alcalde y consideran su próximo paso, una cosa
parece ser cierto: “No necesitamos
filtros. Queremos trabajar directamente con los residentes en un plan
que arregle los problemas que mejor
conocen los que viven y trabajan en
esos residenciales,” dice Floyd.
Members in the News
The Explorers enjoyed a weekend
competition of law enforcement tactics
at Camp Pouch on Staten Island in
May. Winning awards for their achievements were: Explorer Post #1886 at John
Adams High School, overseen by SSA3
Laura Walker Jones and SSA3 Lakeisha
Richardson, won 1st place Bomb Threat,
and 2nd place Domestic Violence.
Post #2436 at Visual Arts High
School, overseen by SSA 3 Douglas Curz
and SSA Rarames Ollivieri, won 2nd
place Burglary and 3rd place Drill,
campers pictured having fun in their tent.
Post 1886
Post 2436
Post #2241 at High School for Law
Enforcement and Public Safety, overseen
Post 2241
by SSA3 Terese Nemley, SSA3
Stephen Nemley, SSA3 Lisa Thomp-
son and SSA3 Shawn Jones, won 3rd
place, Domestic Violence.
The
Champs!
Red Birds baseball
team consisting of
Local 237 members
and Housing Authority employees,
were 2015 Champions and are off to a
winning
season.
Left to right, rear
Edgardo
row:
Rivera, José Santiago, Eddie Figueroa, Frank Cruz, Miguel de la Rosa, Gilbert Gonzalez, Joel
Santiago, Earl Savage, James Weaver, Victor Hernandez, Steven Perez.
Front row: Tony Cannon, Jorge Perez, Pete Cora (MVP), Miguel Marrero.
Missing from the photo: Willie Gonzalez, José Vargas, Christian Marte,
Reggie Davis, Luis Tirado, Miguel Alvarez, Joachim Mendez, Raphael
Ortiz, Luis Espada, and Nick Bravo.
Queens North Command hosted a recognition ceremony in April. Recipients were, first row, left to right: Nilsa Garcia-Velez; Sandra Ferguson; Tracy
Price; Commanding Officer Suzanne Catoggio; Victoria Nixon; L3 Jose Gonzalez. Second row, left to right: Michael Chestnut; Gregory Robertson; Stacy
Price; Bran Davis and Derek Jackson, Director, Law Enforcement.
Promotions
City _________________________State _______Zip______________
NA
TIO NA
L
NEWSLINE
Address __________________________________________________
ER
Local 237, IBT
216 w. 14 Street
New York, NY 10011
T
B
IN
Name ____________________________________________________
R
LOCAL237
S
To change your address, fill in the form below, cut it out, and mail it back to
Newsline at the above address.
JULY/AUGUST 2016
TE
Are you moving?
TEAMS
DATED MATERIAL
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THERHOO
PERIODICALS
POSTAGE PAID
AT NEW YORK, NY
In an acknowledgment of a
job well done, the Department of
Homeless Services promoted Carlos Rivera to the rank of Detective,
second from the left, and Roberto
Alvarez to the rank of Sergeant,
next to him, with Charlie Cotto,
Law
Enforcement
Business
Agent, left, and Derek Jackson, Director of Law Enforcement.
April 8 was the finale of
“My School Has Rhythm
Not Violence,” a competition of talented high school
students. The Community
Outreach Unit of the
NYPD’s School Safety Division conceived and coordinated this anti-violence initiative.
The four schools competing in the Bronx were:
John F. Kennedy Campus, Evander Childs Campus, Alfred E. Smith Campus and Adlai E. Stevenson Campus. Pictured are the 1st Place winners,
students from the Alfred E. Smith Campus, along with members of the
NYPD and DOE and elected officials who joined in the festivities. Local
237, radio station WBLS, the Municipal Credit Union and the UFT were
among the sponsors.
Join Us on Labor Day!
Join us! Labor Day Parade 2016, Sat urday, Sept ember 10. March
up 5th Avenue in solidarity and pride with our brothers and sisters to
show that unions continue the fight for dignity and fairness in the workplace. Kick-off time and location will soon be announced.
The Local 237 contingent at last year’s Labor Day parade.