Newsline - Jun/Jul/Aug 2010

Local 237
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Vol. 44, No.6
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June/July/August 2010
Brooklyn DA Launches Program to
Curb Assaults On School Safety Agents
With the majestic Brooklyn Borough
Hall as a backdrop, a group of school safety
agents gathered around President Gregory
Floyd and NYPD Commissioner Raymond
W. Kelly at a press conference on May 25
where Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J.
Hynes announced the creation of the Assault on School Safety Officers Program.
Noting that line of duty injuries are a
common occurrence in law enforcement
work, Floyd emphasized that “school safety agents risk their lives to protect our
children, and in turn they deserve the full
protection of the law.” Floyd added that
the program also protects students by fostering “a safe environment to learn,” and
praised Hynes for understanding and taking action.
Among the SSAs present were Pat Armstead, Latitia Ellis, Terence Elmore, Raquel
Runson, Saun Barrows, Tyner Pressley, and
Michelle Love, a victim of a violent attack
by a student. Love was stabbed in the eye
with an umbrella when she tried to stop an
assault on another SSA at Renaissance H.S.,
in the Bronx, as reported in the August
2009 issue of Newsline. The student was arrested and charged with assault, but not
prosecuted.
President Gregory Floyd addresses the press with Brooklyn DA,
Charles Hynes, left, and NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly at
his side. Below, School Safety Agent Michelle Love is flanked by
Hynes and Floyd.
“This new program lets the public know
that if they assault a school safety officer, they
will be arrested and prosecuted the same as if
a police officer or transit worker was assaulted,” Hynes told the press, which included
NY1, WABC News, the New York Post and
the Chief Leader. He also credited Floyd and
Kelly for helping put the program together.
The program, which applies to incidents
occurring in Brooklyn, is similar to the DA’s
Office’s Assault on Police Officers and Transit Workers Programs, implemented in 2008
to protect them from random attacks. These
programs consist of a team of prosecutors
and investigators who look into cases where
an officer has been seriously injured, shot or
attacked with a deadly weapon, or if there is
an attempted assault. Executive Assistant
DA Colleen Babb from the Crime Prevention
Division will head the new program.
Kelly said that while 5,000 SSAs represent “a fraction of the 1.1 million students
and faculty in public schools, the reality is
that they are the victims of one third of the
assaults that happen there.” He also noted
that “overall crime in schools is down 31
percent since 2002…the sum of the good
work of school safety agents and their police
counterparts across the city.”
We Are All Puerto Ricans at Heart This Day!
Local 237 members marched in the 53rd Annual
Puerto Rican Day Parade along 5th Avenue with great
pride and joy in the heritage of our brothers and
sisters who hail from the Caribbean island.
President Gregory Floyd addressed the
contingent of more than 200 members who
assembled at 44th Street and Madison
Avenue on Sunday, June 13, thanking
them for dedicating a day off to
commemorate the Puerto Ricans
in our ranks. “We are truly a family,” he added.
Members who marched, or came
by to say hello, received T-shirts, sandwiches, and refreshments while enjoying
great Salsa music provided by David Gonzalez,
business agent, Housing Division, who coordinated the
event. The Panamanian International Marching Band accompanied our contingent from start to finish, helping members and
their families step lively despite the muggy weather.
★
Pat Arnow
Close to 2 million viewers lined the shortened parade route between 44th and 79th Streets, and they were as loud and proud as ever,
especially when Parade King Marc Anthony and his wife, Jennifer
Lopez, rolled up the Avenue in a golf cart after their limo’s battery died.
More Pictures on Page 10,11,15 and online at www.local237.org
2
NEWSLINE, June/July/August 2010
Local 237 Member Services
UNION HEADQUARTERS
EXECUTIVE OFFICES, 5th Fl.
216 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10011-7296
212-924-2000
Gregory Floyd, President
Richard Hendershot,
Vice President
Ruben Torres,
Secretary-Treasurer
LOCAL 237 DIVISIONS
CITYWIDE DIVISION, 2nd Fl.
Donald Arnold, Director
Peter Gutierrez, Deputy Director
Al Soto, Law Enforcement
Director
Randy Klein, Assistant Director
HOUSING DIVISION, 2nd Fl.
Remilda Ferguson, Director
Brooklyn, Queens & Staten
Island
James Giocastro,
Deputy Director
LONG ISLAND DIVISION
1727 Veterans Memorial
Highway
Suite 308
Islandia, NY 11749
631-851-9800
John Burns, Director
Benedict Carenza,
Deputy Director
John Sepulveda,
Assistant Director
Long Island Welfare Fund:
For information on the various
funds call 800-962-1145
RETIREE DIVISION, 8th Fl.
Provides a variety of pre- and
post-retirement services, including pension and health insurance counseling to members.
(Pension counseling by
appointment, Thursdays only).
General retirement counseling
and retirement planning series
during spring and fall.
212-807-0555
Nancy B. True, Director
LOCAL 237 DEPARTMENTS
(Citywide and Housing)
SKILLED TRADES, 2nd Fl.
Donald Arnold, Director
HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2nd Fl.
Donald Arnold, Director
Diane Stein, Coordinator
MEMBERSHIP, 2nd Fl.
Provides membership services
and records, including address
changes.
Laverne White,
Administrative Manager
LEGAL SERVICES, 4th Fl.
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.
212-924-1220
Office Hours:
Mon.- Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mary Sheridan Esq., Director
Kenneth Perry Esq.,
Deputy Director
POLITICAL ACTION &
LEGISLATION, 5th Fl.
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.
For grievances and job related
problems, first contact your shop
steward and/or grievance representative. If they cannot resolve
the issue, they or you should
contact your business agent.
Mal Patterson, Director of
Grievances and Hearings
Todd Rubinstein, Esq.
Grievance Coordinator
Debbie Coleman, Esq.
Grievance Coordinator
CIVIL SERVICE BAR
ASSOCIATION, 6th Fl.
212-675-0519
Gloria Johnson, Esq., President
Aldona Vaiciunas,
Office Administrator and
Grievance Coordinator
John Picucci, Esq.,
Grievance Representative
CSBA Welfare Fund
Alicare 212-539-5117
COMMUNICATIONS, 8th Fl.
Tania M. Lambert, Editor
Local 237 Newsline
Website: www.local237.org
EDUCATION, 8th Fl.
Provides a variety of training
and educational advancement
opportunities for members.
212-807-0550
Frederick Dunn, Director
USEFUL NUMBERS
FOR PRE-RETIREES
NYCERS (New York City
Employees Retirement System)
By Mail: 335 Adams St., Suite
2300, Brooklyn, NY 112013751
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
We Put Our Public Employee Family First
D
ing instead in cuts rammed down the public’s
iversity is a word used a lot these days,
throat in a desperate attempt to keep the governusually in reference to racial or religious
ment’s lights on. All of us — both inside and
diversity, but it can mean so much more.
outside organized labor — will suffer the conseTeamsters Local 237 is truly diverse in a
quences.
number of ways. Not only do our members
The only cure to this dysfunction is for
come from every possible background, but they
the public, including all of us, to take a more
also perform many different and valuable servactive role in public affairs. Because we have
ices all over New York City and Long Island.
common goals, Local 237 members will conEach of our titles brings a special and valuable
tinue to band together to use our collective
point of view that makes our union strong.
might to influence elected officials. I also enDespite our diverse makeup, Local 237
courage all of you to become involved, by
members are united in a common purpose: to
calling your local legislators and joining politpreserve a decent livelihood for all members
ically active groups in your neighborhoods.
and further their goals and aspirations. Our
To keep updated on the news and the
union is committed to working hard for memviewpoints of Local 237 supporters, I encourbers, regardless of their title or background,
age everyone to turn to our radio and cable
and this makes it one of the best in the state.
access programs if you have not done so alOur most significant family trait is providready [See schedule on page 13]. We have an
ing service to the public. At Local 237, we call
exciting summer planned with excellent
ourselves a “municipal labor union.” That
guests who are looking forward to sharing
technical-sounding term simply means that
their ideas about the future of our state’s
we represent workers employed by different
unions and government. An informed memlocal governments as opposed to private corbership is a strong membership, and with that
porations. We are all bound by our responsistrength we can shape our own destinies.
bility to protect and serve the great people of
As Albany struggles to get its act together
New York, not a corporate board or stockholdit presents a unique opportunity to channel
ers. Our well-being is tied to the prosperity of
the public’s discontent with our political offitaxpayers and the understanding of the politicials into electing fresh, honest voices to state
cians who create government budgets. That
government.
gives all our members common purpose when
Summer is a time when the weather and
it comes to politics and government affairs.
political campaigns heat up. We already
At times it can be frustrating to have our
began discussing union endorsements and
salaries and benefits under the control of the
will be paying close attention to the candigovernment, some of which function more effidates vying for statewide and local races. We
ciently than others. The two budget negotianeed to ensure that the next generation of
tions in New York City and Albany present
elected officials understands our needs and
clear examples of the pros and cons of governcommon problems.
ment responsibility. The city has just passed a
budget that, while containing some cuts, is not
Enjoy Your Summer
the doomsday scenario that many feared. CareWith the summer season in full swing, I
ful planning in previous years allowed Mayor
hope everyone can escape the pressures of seBloomberg and the City Council to avoid thourious work-related concerns for awhile. We
sands of layoffs or new taxes that once were
work hard to provide for ourselves and our
predicted. In Albany, however, at press time,
families, but it can be debilitating if we don’t
debate on the state budget was still raging alrelax and enjoy the fruits of our labor. We
though it is months late. I fear all the confusion
wish everyone the best possible summer and
will only add to anticipated cuts and new
look forward to September when we have
taxes.
Albany has put itself in the position where it great plans in store for Local 237.
must either make difficult
cuts or shut down the
“Take rest. A field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.” – Ovid
government entirely,
something that has never
happened in the history
of the state. It is regrettable and embarrassing
that we find ourselves
backed against a wall in
this way. It seems that
communication has broken down between the
different branches of government charged with
controlling New York’s financial health. A lack of
reasonable discussion
will lead to a lack of reasonable solutions, result-
Bill Kresse
WELFARE FUND, 3rd Fl.
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.
212-924-7220
Paul E. Juergensen, Director
PERSONNEL, 5th Fl.
Edmund Kane, Director and
Chief Negotiator
A Message From
The President
NEWSLINE, June/July/August 2010
3
President Gregory Floyd speaks at the rally as Local 237 officials look on. Thousands of protesters gathered outside City Hall.
Protesters hailing from more
than 100 of New York City’s public
sector unions rallied at City Hall on
the afternoon of June 16 calling for
Governor David Paterson and Mayor
Michael Bloomberg to “Save Our
City” from devastating cuts to services and layoffs.
The unions in the Miunicipal
Labor Committee (MLC), community
leaders and elected officials came out
fighting to stop the budget cuts and
save public sector jobs and services
vital to the city, including schools, colleges, transit, hospitals, libraries, firehouses, parks, senior centers and more.
“The right wing media is taking
us for granted. In good times and
bad times, we make this city run,”
said President Gregory Floyd, addressing the crowd of thousands
that stretched from City Hall to Fed-
eral Plaza. “All we ask for is our jobs
and our pensions.”
Several speakers noted that organized labor is under attack while
it was Wall Street greed that caused
the budget crisis, not unions.
“We negotiated those items and
made concessions, but they paint us
as villains,” said Michael Palladino,
president, Detectives Endowment
Association. “The city is the economic engine that runs this state.”
Pat Lynch, president, Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, recalled, “Every bit of your sweat was
needed September 11, 2001, but
now they say we’re not needed.”
Brooklyn Borough President
Marty Markowitz said, “Let’s call on
the federal government to treat New
York City as a national treasure.”
Speaking on behalf of the work-
Local 237
NEWSLINE
216 West 14 St., New York, NY 10011
212-924-2000
Website: www.local237.org
e-mail Newsline: [email protected]
Local 237 Newsline (USPS 700-000 ISSN 1083-3536) is published 10 times a year in the
following months: January, February, March, April, May, (June, July and August will be
combined into one issue), September, October, November and December 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
Gregory Floyd Richard Hendershot
President
Vice President
Edmund Kane
Trustee
Ruben Torres
ing-class children, Public Advocate
Bill de Blasio noted that “No government can fail to take care of our
children, or we fail as a society. Albany has to get relief for our schools
and children.”
Complicating the conflict over
budget cuts, at press time Albany had
yet to come up with its own budget,
which was due on April 1, and the
city budget, by law, must be in place
for the start of fiscal year July 1.
The MLC stated: “Cuts and layoffs
are not the answer — and they aren’t
necessary. The city now has a surplus
of more than $3.5 billion and there are
also many common sense alternatives
on the table ready to be discussed.”
NYPD Awards Unit Citation
To School Safety Division
The New York Police Department awarded a Unit Citation to the
School Safety Division for sustaining
a high level of service to the people
of New York City in 2009. Last year,
the division achieved a 16 percent
decrease in School Related Index
Crimes, including grand larceny, burglary, felony assault and robbery.
The Division also contributed
dramatically to the quality of life of
students and faculty by attaining a
24 percent reduction in School Related Category Violations, processing 15,294 truants, seizing more
than 600 weapons, and conducting
312 lectures and 92 socio-dramas to
assist schools in crisis situations.
School Safety proudly reported
a 16 percent decrease in Total
Crime, a 10 percent decrease in Violent Crime, and a 5 percent decrease
in Index Crime in designated Impact
Schools.
Working Together
Patricia Stryker
Secretary-Treasurer Recording Secretary
Steven Gordon
Trustee
Curtis Scott
Newsline and www.local237.org
Trustee
Tania M. Lambert
Editor
Local 237 Telephone Numbers
Citywide Division .................212-924-2000
Housing Division..................212-924-2000
Long Island Division ............631-851-9800
Welfare Funds .....................212-924-7220
Education Department.........212-807-0550
Legal Department ................212-924-1220
Health & Safety ...................212-924-2000
Retiree Division/
Pension Counseling ..........212-807-0555
Membership.........................212-924-2000
CSBA...................................212-675-0519
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
Donna Ristorucci
NY Labor Leads Massive Rally to ‘Save Our City’
Thomas Chan, assistant chief, commanding officer of the School Safety
Division, makes a point at a labor-management meeting held May 7 at Local
237. Officials from New York Police Departmentʼs School Safety Division
met with Local 237ʼs Citywide Division Law Enforcement Unit to discuss
ways to work together to resolve issues affecting school safety agents.
Among those present were Chan, Ramon Garcia, director, and three
deputies. Local 237 officials included Trustee Steve Gordon, Law
Enforcement Unit Director Al Soto, Director of Grievances and Hearings Mal
Patterson, and Deputy Director Pete Gutierrez. Among the topics discussed
were replacement radios, mandated lockers, and overtime. Labor-management meetings are scheduled on a monthly basis.
4
NEWSLINE, June/July/August 2010
SSAs Recover Rifle from
Legacy H.S. Student
School Safety Agent Leslie
Casanova was monitoring the hall at
Legacy H.S. for Integrated Studies
on Friday, May 28, before 9 a.m.,
when she saw six boys entering the
rest room and became suspicious.
Casanova called Level 3 Patricia
Spruill for help and together they
confronted the group.
As the boys, all students, exited
the rest room, one ran down the
stairway. Casanova gave chase, radioing other agents to block his escape. SSA Bernard Smalls tried to
stop the 16-year-old by grabbing his
backpack, which slipped off. Spruill
and a school aid stopped the boy at
the entrance to the school, where he
insisted that his backpack be returned. When Smalls opened it he
found an unloaded .22-caliber, single-action sawed-off rifle and silencer inside.
“This incident once again
shows how dangerous it is for our
school safety agents and how important they are to keeping our children
safe,” President Gregory Floyd said.
As the SSAs prepared to handcuff the boy, he bolted, and Casanova chased him again through traffic,
where she lost him. The other five
students were taken to the 6th
Precinct for questioning. The sus-
A studentʼs backpack contained this rifle and silencer.
pect turned himself in to police
about four hours later and was
charged with third-degree possession of a weapon.
The school, which serves about
300 students, is located near Local
237 headquarters in Manhattan, on
14th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues in a commercial building next
to the New York Sports Club.
The arrested youths being loaded into a police van.
Floyd ‘In the News’
This month, President Gregory Floyd was named one of “Labor’s
Tough Customers,” in a Daily News Opinion piece, and also “One of New
York City’s 12 Most Effective Leaders” in a City Hall magazine article.
Both articles praise courageous and influential labor leaders who
are preserving New York City’s tradition as a “union town” by vigorously confronting attacks on union jobs, wages, and benefits.
Read the two articles online at www.local237.org, under “In the
News” on the home page.
Legislative Update
2 Bills That Benefit Members
Local 237’s Legislative Department has been active in City Hall
and Albany making sure bills that
benefit members gain full support.
Patricia Stryker, director, political
action and legislation, said the following three bills, which are moving through the legislative process
in Albany, resulted from the union’s
lobbying efforts during the 2010 legislative session.
Uniformed Services:
A.7079A (Towns) – in Codes
Committee
S.3538A (Addabbo) – Passed Senate
This bill would provide collective bargaining rights for peace officers and special officers employed
by New York City Health & Hospi-
tals Corporation and New York City
Housing Authority. These are state
created entities and therefore not
covered by New York City law. This
bill would create consistent collective bargaining rights where the City
of New York is a participant.
Martin Act Amendment:
A.8646 (Brodsky) – Corporations,
Authorities & Commissions
S.5768 (Schneiderman) – Corporations, Authorities & Commissions
This bill would authorize a public retirement system, mutual fund,
or other institutional investor to
bring civil actions for damages sustained due to violations of the Martin Act. The Martin Act provides
criminal penalties for fraudulent
stock schemes.
School safety agents at Legacyʼs entrance are, from left, Bernard Smalls, Shadai
Johnson, Patricia Spruill and Leslie Casanova.
25 Years of Service
Hospital Police Officer Ricardo F.
James Sr. was given an award for 25
years of service at Jacobi Hospital in
the Bronx on April 8.
Below, four sergeants from the
Department of Juvenile Justice recently celebrated 25 years of service.
Pictured, from left, are Ruby Baker,
Horizon Juvenile Center; Dushá
Holmes, Horizon; Diane Martinez,
Bridges Juvenile Center; Angela Ward,
Horizon.
NEWSLINE, June/July/August 2010
5
The Political Scene
Teamsters Joint Council 16 Hosts Cuomo Fundraiser
At the Teamsters Joint Council
16 fundraiser for Andrew Cuomo,
held at Local 237 headquarters June
3, the gubernatorial candidate recalled how teamsters “stood up” for
him in his primary race for state attorney general against Mark Green in
2006. “I became attorney general because of labor and I’m proud of it,”
said Cuomo. “Labor bailed out New
York City in the 1970s. Workers deserve respect. Your constant support
has really meant something to me.”
After months of speculation,
Cuomo, 52, formally announced his
decision to run for governor in May
at the Tweed courthouse in Lower
Manhattan. Alluding to the nefarious reputation of Tammany Hall’s
“Boss Tweed,” Cuomo said, “We
stand today next to one of the historic monuments to government
corruption. Albany’s antics today
could make Boss Tweed blush.”
This is Cuomo’s second gubernatorial run. The first was in 2002,
when he dropped out of the race because of low polling numbers. But
his life in politics has been extensive. He served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under
President Bill Clinton from 1997 to
2001. Prior to that he chaired New
York City’s Homeless Commission
under Mayor David Dinkins.
From 1983, when he was only
26 years old, to 1994 he served as a
top policy advisor to his father,
Mario Cuomo, then governor of New
York State.
“My father’s whole campaign
versus Ed Koch was pro labor movement,” Cuomo told the Teamsters.
“I’m 100 percent pro labor.”
When he accepted the nomination in May at the Democratic state
convention, he pledged no new
taxes and a statewide cap on property taxes. He has also said he opposes borrowing money to solve the
state’s $9 billion budget deficit.
At the Joint Council 16 event,
Cuomo affirmed his commitment to
working families. “I’m a middleclass guy,” he said, “concerned
about kitchen-table issues.”
Yassky Named to Head TLC
David Yassky was
a plan many cab owners
confirmed Commissionrejected, complaining
er of the New York City
that the smaller cars
Taxi & Limousine Comwere inadequate.
mission in March by a
In 2009, when he
unanimous vote from
made an unsuccessful
his former colleagues in
bid for city comptroller,
the City Council. The
he addressed Local 237
former chairman of the
members at the union’s
council’s Small Busifirst Political Forum at
ness Committee promthe New York Hilton. He
ised better taxicab servalso ran for Congress in
ice throughout the five
2006.
boroughs, and more
Yassky, the eleventh
GPS technology.
person
to serve in this
David Yassky addresses
The TLC licenses Local 237 members at post, replaced Matthew
and regulates more than the 2009 Political Forum. Daus, a lawyer and long50,000 vehicles and is
time official at the comconsidered the country’s largest for- mission, who is leaving to work in the
hire ground transportation industry.
private sector.
Yassky, 46, has represented
Prior to his term on the City
Brooklyn neighborhoods for the past Council, Yassky taught at New York
eight years, including Park Slope, University and Brooklyn Law
Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and Schools, specializing in administraBrooklyn Heights, where he is a res- tive and constitutional law. He also
ident. During his tenure, Yassky led served as Chief Counsel to the House
the mayor’s PlanNYC initiative for Subcommittee on Crime, under
greener, more fuel-efficient taxicabs, then-Congressman Chuck Schumer.
Members of Joint Council 16 flank gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo. They
are, from left, Demos P. Demopoulos, secretary-treasurer, Local 553; Joseph
Wojciechowski, president, Local 812; George Miranda, president, Joint Council
16 and IBT vice president; Harry Nespoli, president, Local 831 and chairman of
the Municipal Labor Council; and Gregory Floyd, president Local 237.
Cuomo, who selected Rochester
mayor Robert J. Duffy to be his running mate for lieutenant governor,
will face one of three possible GOP
gubernatorial challengers: former
City Budget Plan Reached;
State Budget Still Unresolved
The City Council and Mayor
Michael Bloomberg agreed on a $63
billion budget on June 24 that
would close a $5 billion gap by cutting more than 2,000 jobs, mainly
through attrition. The mayor also
said an unspecified number of city
workers will be laid off and several
day care programs and senior centers will be closed.
“An army of union workers rallied at City Hall to show elected officials that we are mobilized and
committed to fight for our jobs and
to keep the standard of public services this great city deserves” said
President Gregory Floyd. “This
army will continue to fight, and
next time we will march by the
thousands from Union Square to
City Hall.” [See article, page 1]
The fiscal year 2011 budget,
which will be voted on the last week
in June, goes into effect July 1, and
includes several compromises.
Twenty fire companies were spared
Puerto Rico Passes Law to Issue New Birth Certificates
To address widespread fraud and identity theft,
Puerto Rico’s government passed a new law that will
invalidate all birth certificates issued before July 1,
2010, so new, more secure certificates can be issued.
The law was passed in collaboration with the U.S.
Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to address the use of birth certificates issued in Puerto Rico to unlawfully obtain U.S. passports,
Social Security benefits, and other federal services. The
agencies estimate that 40 percent of all U.S. passport
fraud cases in recent years involved Puerto Rican birth
certificates, according to an ABC news report.
Senate hopeful Rick Lazio; Suffolk
County executive Steve Levy — a
longtime Democrat who switched
parties to enter the primary; and upstate businessman Carl Paladino.
New certificates will be issued starting July 1,
2010. There is no need to rush to get a new birth certificate, unless you have a specific need to have one
right away for official purposes.
People born in Puerto Rico and living in the 50
states can request birth certificates online at
www.prfaa.com/birthcertificates. The fee is $5, but
will be waived for people over 60 and veterans.
The problem stems from the custom in Puerto
Rico of distributing original, certified copies of birth
documents when applying for memberships, jobs, or
athletic teams.
from closing; the Administration for
Children’s Services was spared
caseload reductions; the NYPD was
spared cuts, the Health and Hospitals Corporation will receive $350
million in debt relief, and city
swimming pools will remain open.
Albany Budget Unresolved
Despite threats of a government
shutdown, New York State budget
negotiations continued nearly three
months late at press time. As Gov.
David Paterson’s June 28 deadline
passed, lawmakers wrestled with
proposals to create desperately
needed revenue to close a $9.2 billion budget hole. So far, the two
sides have agreed to almost half of
the state’s $135 billion annual budget, with cuts to administration,
health care, and welfare, totaling
about $4.2 billion.
Depending on the outcome, the
city could lose as much as $1.3 billion in state aid and shoppers may
face a reinstated 4 percent state tax
on clothing priced under $110,
which would raise about $300 million in revenue. The Legislature also
passed a bill to increase taxes on
cigarettes by $1.60 a pack, making
New York City’s smokes the costliest in the nation at about $11 a pack
starting Sept. 1, and generating a
projected $440 million a year.
Paterson says the taxes are in
part due to the state not receiving
federal funds for Medicaid; some $1
billion dollars were slated for several states to support Medicaid, but
the funds have not been distributed.
6
NEWSLINE, June/July/August 2010
National Police Week
A Proud Salu
Renaissance Health Care Network, Harlem
HPO Amos Newton holds the plaque he received in recognition of his 33 years
of dedicated service to the Harlem Hospital outpost. Newton is flanked by wellwishers, including from left, Al Soto, director of Local 237ʼs Law Enforcement
Unit, and Pete Gutierrez, deputy director.
Bellevue Hospital Center, Manhattan
Lincoln M
Each year during the week beginning
May 13, events are held across the
nation to recognize the service and
courage of law enforcement officers
and to commemorate those who lost
their lives in the line of duty while protecting the safety of others. In New
York City, Local 237 peace officers
were recognized with awards, medals,
luncheons and heartfelt appreciation at
several work sites.
HPOs are joined b
14 to recognize o
Coler Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursi
HPOs gather for a photo following the opening ceremony held May 13 to kick
off the weekʼs events. [Photograph by Capt. George Ortega]
HPOs based at Coler, above, and HPOs at Goldwater, upper right, are joined by
Al Soto for a catered lunch honoring Police Week. Three officers, below, at Coler
Goldwater were promoted to sergeant in March. They are, from left: Sheree
Cromer, Darnell Jenkins and Rosemarie Maymi.
SPECIAL MENTION – Pictured here is the group of school safety agents and
administrators at I.S. 302 in Brooklyn North Command, who were instrumental in nabbing a student who robbed a cell phone from another student
on April 29. An article in the May issue of Newsline, on page 4, recognized
SSA L3 Kim Pricher and her crew, but hereʼs the photograph, by SSA
Wilfredo Irizarry. Featured clockwise from center are: Principal Lisa Linder;
SSA Tiffany Poteat; SSA Kendrick Glover; PTA Volunteer Kim Dean; Teacher
Juan Ventura; SSA Solomon Wilson; and SSA L3 Kim Pricher.
NEWSLINE, June/July/August 2010
7
ute to Local 237 Peace Officers
Medical and Mental Health Center, the Bronx
by supervisors and Local 237 officers, at the Peace Officerʼs Award Ceremony on May
outstanding work, attendance and years of service.
ing Facility, Roosevelt Island
Metropolitan Hospital, Manhattan
Al Soto, director, Local 237 Law Enforcement unit, holds a certificate of appreciation he received from Lt. Rachel Evans, third from left, on behalf of the HPOs.
On hand to congratulate Soto were HPO Director Anthony Notaroberta and several officers. The hospital held a Peace Officer Week event with recognition
awards and trophies for top tier officers on May 12.
Department of Homeless Services, Manhattan
Harlem Hospital Center, Manhattan
Harlem Hospital police officers and supervisors are joined by Al Soto, director of
Local 237ʼs Law Enforcement Unit, left, as they stand at a table displaying safety
literature in the lobby.
Special officers gather at John Jay College after the Medal Day Ceremony on May
13, where they were recognized for a variety of achievements, including, Officer
of the Year, Detective Michael Hogan; below, Supervisor of the Year, Sgt. Nicole
Dunton, is joined by other honorees.
8
NEWSLINE, June/July/August 2010
Founders Day –
Local 237ʼs annual
Founders Day
event was especially festive to
celebrate the
Retiree Divisionʼs
30th Anniversary.
Reunited retirees are,
from left, Shirley Bush,
Ann Sabatino Guidice,
her son Charles
Sabatino, Doris Welsh
and Shirley Doran.
Retiree Division staffers from past and present pr
Below, President
Gregory Floyd greets
Local 237 retiree Toni
Rowe, who celebrates 99
years July 10.
Above, Former Local 237 Legislation Director and Trustee
Ralph Prossimo with Vice President Richard Hendershot.
Below, from left, former NBA player and author James
Donaldson and basketball Hall of Famer George “The Iceman”
Garvin join President Floyd and his son, Jonathan, to kick off the
Sunshine Clubʼs “Hoops for Haiti” program, as Nancy B. True
displays a Proclamation presented to her by John Cochran,
assistant director, New York State Office for the Aging.
The Retiree Divisionʼs Sunshine Club presents a do
Karen Higgins, president, National Nurses United, w
NEWSLINE, June/July/August 2010
9
A Toast to 30 Years!
Left, City Council Speaker
Christine Quinn addresses
the audience as President
Gregory Floyd and Sade
Baderinwa, the luncheon
emcee and ABC news
anchor, look on.
Below left, Brooklyn DA
Charles Hynes and City
Council Committee on
Aging Chair Jessica Lappin
address the audience.
roudly display their Star Awards.
Below, Manhattan Borough
President Scott Stringer
presents Nancy B. True,
director, Retiree Division,
with a Proclamation as
President Floyd looks on.
onation of $3,500 matched by Local 237ʼs $2,500 to
which sends teams of volunteer nurses to Haiti.
Left, retirees don party
hats for the morning
program.
Some Enchanted Teamsters sing a song by the same name penned by Winston George, deputy director, Retiree
Division, left, who is joined by John Felder, former assistant director, Retiree Division, and True.
Below, Cecil Scott and his
band take a break
between sets.
Photos by Pat Arnow
10
NEWSLINE, June/July/August 2010
Donald Arnold, director,
Citywide Division, in the
driverʼs seat, and Pete
Gutierrez, deputy director,
pick up the rear with precious cargo aboard.
★
President Gregory Floyd delivers a Local 237 T-shirt to
Archbishop Timothy Dolan.
We
Are All
Puerto Ricans
At Heart
This Day
Marilyn Gonzalez, sister of David
Gonzalez, business agent,
Housing Division, clutches a
handful.
The smallest member of the
Panamanian International
Marching Band tips her hat
with gusto.
NEWSLINE, June/July/August 2010
From left, Nancy B. True, director, Retiree Division, and Patricia Stryker,
recording secretary, are joined by Evangelista Fabian, a Local 237
retiree.
Trustee Curtis Scott is flanked by Long Island Division
officials. They are, from left, Andrew Viegas, business
agent; John Burns, director; Benny Carenza, deputy
director, and Robin Bahnsen, business agent.
School safety agents and students march together. They are, from left, L3 Derrick Neville;
Daniel Crawford, Frederick Douglass Academy; Dominick Callini, Health Professions H.S.;
Douglas Acevedo, Frederick Douglass Academy; L3 Kevin Gerald.
A native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, rides his decorated
bicycle up 5th Avenue.
David Gonzalez, business agent, Housing Division, and parade coordinator,
waves to the crowd.
Carmen Maldonado, superintendent at Sedgewick Houses in the
Bronx, cheers for Boricuas.
Photos by Pat Arnow
11
12
NEWSLINE, June/July/August 2010
LONG ISLAND
REPORT
Island Profiles
Babylon Department of Planning
And Development
Plainview School District
Karen Finkenberg, former shop steward and principal engineering aide,
holds her retirement plaque. She recently retired with 26 years of service
from Babylonʼs Department of Planning and Development. Flanking her,
from left, are Frank Vaccaro, senior engineering aide, and Angelo
Magliocco, shop steward.
Jerilyn Rogler, a Plainview School District aide for 15 years, also serves as
a shop steward.
Brentwood School District
Off Track Betting
Lynda Cyosh, president of Brentwood Professional Nurses, works at her
desk. Cyosh was instrumental in helping secure a contract for nurses who
work for the Brentwood School District.
Sharyn Caruso, who recently retired from OTB with 35 years of service as a
cashier, holds her retirement plaque. She is flanked by Ben Carenza, Long
Island Division deputy director, and Cathy Rice, business agent.
NEWSLINE, June/July/August 2010
Added to the Roster of Retirees
O
EAMS
TE
FT
ATI
RN
TE
R
S
R
Set to Explore Her Roots
13
IN
R
Congratulations to…
Former School Safety Agent Diann Howard holds her retirement
plaque and is flanked, from left, by Donald Arnold, director, Citywide
Division; Ruben Torres, secretary-treasurer, and Charlie Cotto, Citywide business agent.
Howard retired June 2 with more than 20 years of service at I.S.
216 and 217 in the Bronx East Command.
The mother of one daughter, who is a substitute teacher, Howard
says she plans to move to Georgia in about two years and tour the Atlantic coastline. She is especially eager to visit Africa, where she has
never been, and explore her roots.
Making Plans to Travel
...RICHARD M. VAGGE, associate radiographer L2, who recently received
the Safety Liaison of the Year award from Queens Hospital Center.
•••
...JOHN NAPOLITANO, Queens associate water use inspector, who was selected Employee of the Month for April by the Department of Environmental Protection and recognized by Commissioner Cas Holloway at an
award ceremony in May.
•••
...KHEISHA JAMES, a school safety agent in Brooklyn South Command on
the birth of her granddaughter Khaila Michelle on April 27. Khaila
weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces and was 21 ½ inches long.
•••
...BRIAN BACKSTROM, a campus peace officer at Medgar Evers College in
Brooklyn, and his wife, Amanda, on the birth of their second child,
Madison, on June 1. Madison, a girl, weighed 6 pounds 4 ounces, and
has a sister, Lauren, almost 5 years old.
•••
...LATTIMER JONES, supervisor of stock workers at Parks and Recreation,
and his wife on the birth of their baby girl, Chloe Brianna Jones, on June
9. Chloe, the couple’s first baby, weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces.
•••
...MAUREEN PETERSEN, special officer at the Department of Human Services (DHS) TATH center in the Bronx, and her son, Masoud House, who
graduated in May from John Jay College with a B.A. in English. House’s
essay in praise of his stepfather was published in the January 2009
issue of Newsline.
•••
...JUANITA MCKENZIE, special officer at DHS TATH Center, on the graduation of her daughter Folásadé Akeloko in May from Rensselaer College
with a B.A. in Business.
We’d like to hear from you. If you’d like us to report on what’s
happening in your life, drop a line to Teamster Notes, Newsline,
216 W. 14 Street, NY 10011, or call 646-638-8636,
or e-mail [email protected].
ON AIR
RADIO – Reaching Out With Gregory Floyd
CABLE TV – Local 237 On the Air
Reaching Out With Gregory Floyd
The public affairs radio program will air on WWRL AM 1600 Saturday,
July 10, at 3 p.m., when Floyd’s guest will be Brooklyn District Attorney
Charles Hynes. On Saturday, July 17, at 3 p.m., Floyd’s guest will be NYC
Taxi & Limousine Commissioner David Yassky. On August 14, at 3 p.m.
Floyd's guest will be Elinor Tatum, editor and publisher, Amsterdam
News. On August 21, at 3 p.m. his guest will be Pat Lynch, president of
the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association. Tune in to the radio or sign on to
www.local237.org to watch video clips from recent interviews.
Local 237: On The Air
Oko Nortey, a former food-service supervisor at Cook-Chill services in Brooklyn, holds his retirement plaque and is congratulated, from
left, by Donald Arnold, director, Citywide Division; George Wade,
business agent, and Edmund Kane, trustee.
Nortey retired May 31, with 24 years of service. He is the father of
three children and has two grandchildren. Nortey plans to travel on
his well-earned free time.
CONDOLENCES TO...
…The family of the late SCHOOL SAFETY AGENT L3 SHARON FOSTER, who
died May 16. The funeral service was held in Brooklyn on May 21.
•••
…PAMELA BOYLAN, a caretaker at Webster Houses and a talented singer
who has performed at several Local 237 events, on the death of her father,
Robert Boylan, on May 22 at age 79. He is survived by three children and
four grandchildren.
Local 237 videos will air on cable TV in July and August on the following cable stations:
Staten Island Community Television (CTV):
Time Warner Ch. 34 and Verizon Ch. 34
Monday, July 19, at 8 p.m.; Monday, August 16, at 8 p.m.
Tuesday, July 27, at 10 p.m.; Tuesday, August 24 at 10 p.m.
Bronxnet:
Cablevision Ch. 67 and Verizon Ch. 33
July & August: Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 8 p.m., Fridays at 7 p.m.
Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN):
Time Warner Ch. 34, RCN Ch. 82 and Verizon Ch. 33
Tuesday, July 27, at 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, August 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Brooklyn Community Access (BCAT):
Time Warner Ch. 35, Cablevision Ch. 68, Verizon Ch. 43 and RCN Ch. 83
Tuesday, July 20, at 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, August 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Queens Public Television (QPTV)
Time Warner Ch. 56, Verizon Ch. 36 and RCN Ch. 84
Saturday, July 3, at 12 p.m.; August-Check cable listings
Wednesday, July 21, at 7 p.m.; August-Check cable listings
14
NEWSLINE, June/July/August 2010
Cement Masons
Keep the City
Right On Point
ement masons work throughout the city for a variety of agencies, including the Parks Department
and the Department of Transportation. These
skilled-trades workers repair a wide range of public facilities, structures and pavements. They mix cement and concrete, prepare and set forms for pouring the mix, and finish the job by smoothing and contouring new surfaces.
A crew of cement masons working for the Parks Department at a park on Fort Washington Avenue near the George
Washington Bridge, repaired vandalized windows at a recreation center. Their other assignments include preparing the
city’s swimming pools for the summer season; setting tiles
and pavers, and maintaining bird baths and fountains.
The Department of Transportation crews repair
bridges and work closely with other skilled trades, including bricklayers. A crew recently pointed stones at the
158th Street underpass on Riverside Drive. Their other assignments include repairing bridge decks, and filling
holes in concrete or brick and sidewalks.
C
Cement masons and bricklayers gather by a road sign for a group portrait. Donald Arnold,
director, Citywide Division, stands far left.
Cement masons unload a pickup truck at a Parks Department worksite.
Scott Mahaffey, a cement mason, operates the lift sending co-workers up to repair
an overpass.
A cement mason repairs the window of a Parks Department Recreation Center
from inside, as Shop Steward Ralph Florio works outside.
Preparing for lift off are, from left, Salvatore Rommo, bricklayer; Louis Giarratano,
bricklayer, and Luigi Mula, cement mason.
NEWSLINE, June/July/August 2010
15
Resumen en Español
¡Todos Somos Puertorriqueños de Corazón Este Día!
George Miranda, presidente, Consejo Unido de Teamsters 16, desfila con el
Presidente Gregory Floyd y la Junta Ejecutiva del Local 237 encabezando la
delegación del Local 237.
Damas tocando címbalos en la Banda Panameña de Marcha Internacional.
Los miembros del Local 237 marcharon
en el 53º Desfile del Día Nacional de Puerto Rico en la 5ª Avenida con gran orgullo y
deleite celebrando la herencia de nuestros
hermanos y hermanas que provienen de la
isla Caribeña.
El Presidente Gregory Floyd se dirigió
al contingente de más de 200 miembros del
Local 237 reunidos en la Calle 44 y Avenida Madison el Domingo, Junio 13, expresándoles agradecimiento por haber
dedicado un día libre para conmemorar a
los Puertorriqueños que son parte de nuestros rangos. “Somos verdaderamente una
Tito Ruíz, hijo de Elba, y Teamster de segunda generación, posa con su esposa e hija.
familia,” añadió él.
Los miembros que marcharon, o los
que simplemente vinieron para saludar,
recibieron camisetas, emparedados y refrescos y a la vez disfrutaron de magnífica
música Salsa, cortesía de David González,
agente de negocios de la División de
Viviendas, quien coordinó el evento. Nuestra delegación fue acompañada por La
Banda de Marcha Internacional de Panamá
desde el comienzo hasta el final, ayudando
a nuestros miembros y sus familiares a
mantener el paso alegremente, a pesar del
clima húmedo y caliente.
Jubilada Elba Ruíz viajó desde Puerto Rico para celebrar
el gran día.
¡Estas jovencitas se prepararon para
cualquier clima!
Photos by Pat Arnow
Puerto Rico Aprueba Nueva Ley Sobre Certificados de Nacimiento
Para combatir el fraude masivo y el robo de
identidad, el gobierno de Puerto Rico aprobó
una nueva ley que invalidará todo certificado de
nacimiento expedido antes de Julio 1, 2010,
para que un nuevo certificado, con más seguridad, pueda ser expedido.
La nueva ley se aprobó en colaboración con
el Departamento de Estado de los EEUU y el Departamento de Seguridad Interna de los Estados
Unidos para confrontar el uso de certificados de
nacimiento expedidos en Puerto Rico para
obtener de forma ilegal pasaportes de los EEUU,
beneficios del Seguro Social, y otros servicios
federales. Las agencias estiman que en recientes
años el 40 por ciento de todos los casos de
fraude de pasaporte provienen de certificados
de nacimiento Puertorriqueños, de acuerdo a reportaje por el noticiero ABC.
Empezando Julio 1, 2010, nuevos certificados serán expedidos. No hay necesidad de apu-
rarse para obtener un nuevo certificado, a menos
que usted tenga razón específica que le urge
tener uno inmediatamente para propósitos oficiales.
Aquellas personas nacidas en Puerto Rico y
que viven en los 50 estados, pueden solicitar su
certificado de nacimiento por Internet al
www.prfaa.com/birthcertificates. El costo es de
$5, lo cual será eliminado para personas mayores de 60 años y para veteranos.
RETIREE DIVISION CELEBRATES 30 YEARS
Photos by Pat Arnow
he Retiree Division celebrated its 30th Anniversary at
Local 237’s annual Founders
Day Luncheon held June 4, at the
New York Hilton. To mark the
milestone, many elected officials
presented proclamations, commendations, and resolutions. The dignitaries included City Comptroller
John Liu, City Council Speaker
Christine Quinn, City Council
Committee on Aging Chair Jessica
Lappin, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and Brooklyn
District Attorney Charles Hynes.
“We value our retirees,” said
President Gregory Floyd. “You are
the backbone of the union. You
won the benefits that our members
enjoy today. They’re lucky because
T
they don’t know what it’s like not
to have these benefits. We want to
thank you for what you’ve given
us.”
Nancy True, director of the Retiree Division, noted that 30 years
ago the division was established as
another “phase of union membership…. Today we are here to celebrate Local 237’s lifelong commitment to members.” Retirees celebrated heartily with party hats, noisemakers, music, dancing and dining.
WABC-News co-anchor Sade
Baderinwa emceed the luncheon
program, where the Retiree Division presented Founder Awards to
Melanio (Manny) Cuebas, former
secretary-treasurer, and posthumously to Carl Haynes, former
Melanio “Manny”
Cuebas, former secretary-treasurer,
wears his Founders
Award medal and is
flanked, from left, by
basketball Hall of
Famer George “The
Iceman” Gervin;
Nancy B. True,
President Floyd and
Sade Baderinwa.
president, who died in April. Both
were on the executive board that
established the division.
A highlight of the program was
a video featuring Haynes, which
can be viewed online,
along with photos of the
Founders Day event at
www.local237.org.
Also, the division’s
Sunshine Club presented $3,500
and the union donated $2,500 to
Karen Higgins, president of National Nurses United, which sends volunteer nurses to Haiti.
Nancy B. True, director,
Retiree Division, accepts
a Commendation by New
York City Comptroller
John Liu as President
Gregory Floyd and Sade
Baderinwa, luncheon
emcee and ABC news coanchor, look on.
City _________________________State _______Zip______________
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NEWSLINE
Address __________________________________________________
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Local 237, IBT
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New York, NY 10011
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IN
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To change your address, fill in the form below, cut it out, and mail it back to
Newsline at the above address.
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POSTAGE PAID
AT NEW YORK, NY
A packed crowd of retirees enjoy the morning program.
Murial Williams and Rocco Brienza, foreground, rejoice after being crowned King and
Queen of the 30th Anniversary. Nancy True and Winston George, deputy director,
Retiree Division, are in the background sporting crowns they received from the
Retiree Divisionʼs Latino Committee.
More Pictures Pages 8-9