Volume 41 • Number 5

May 2011

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

A New Day
Wells and Members United Sweep Elections
A
nthony Wells became the new presi- Joining the officer ranks are Vice Presi- He joined the Union staff in 1988 as an
dent of SSEU Local 371 May 1, after dent of Research and Negotiations Rose Organizer, after working as a Caseworker
the Members United slate swept Lovaglio-Miller (formerly the Associate at the Spofford Juvenile Center in the
the hotly contested election by a decisive Director of the section), Vice President of Bronx and then in the Queens field of-
margin. Organization Ingrid Beaumont (a Sup I fice of the Administration for Children’s
The election, which had the largest voter from HRA) and Vice President of Public- Services, at the time known as the Bureau
turn out in recent memory, saw some of- ity and Community Relations Patricia of Child Welfare.
ficers keep their positions. Executive Vice Chardavoyne (a Community Associate “We look forward to moving this Union
President Yolanda Pumarejo, Secretary- from the Brooklyn District Attorney’s forward,” Wells said. “Our job is to bring
Treasurer Joseph Nazario, Vice President Office). the Union together.”
of Grievances Lloyd Permaul and Vice Wells, who holds both an MSW and He vowed that the new administration
President of Political Action and Legisla- a law degree, was previously the VP of would increase the presence of Local 371
tion Michelle Akyempong were re-elected Research and Negotiations, where he representatives at work locations, so that
to new three-year terms. started as the Associate Director in 1995. Continued on page 6

Members Pack Courtroom to Support Adams and Bell

Solidarity.
It’s the first word in unionists’ vocabu-
lary, and it was on the minds of SSEU
Local 371 members who packed a Brook-
lyn courtroom this past month when two
former child welfare workers made their
appearances in a shocking case of pros-
ecutorial overreach.
On April 20, dozens of members came to
the courthouse to support Damon Adams,
a former CPS, who along with former
supervisor Chereece Bell, is charged with
criminally negligent homicide in the tragic
death of Little Marchella Pierce, who died
at the hands of her mother who starved her
to death last September.
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles
Hynes alleges that the two workers did
Pat Arnow

not make the visits they were supposed to

make for Marchella’s case. But Local Workers from Damon Adams and Chereece Bell’s ACS office in Williamsburg, Brooklyn posed outside the courthouse
Continued on page 3 May 4 after one of Bell’s hearings.

President’s Message Celebrating ACS and HRA Vets Passing the Assault Bill
Page 2 Pages 4-5 Page 7
CALENDAR
May United, We Will Prevail

A
25 Political Action Committee: 6:30 p.m.
Union Office, 12th Floor
s the new administration takes office, I want
Civilians in Law Enforcement Chapter:
6:30 p.m. Union Office, 15th Floor
to pledge to all Union members that together
we will build a stronger, more vigorous union.
June
These are difficult times. In the coming months we
1 Executive Committee: 6:30 p.m.
Union Office, 12th Floor will be grappling with big issues such as budget cuts,
2 Jewish Heritage Committee Dinner: collective bargaining, attacks on civil service and
5:00 p.m., 125 Barclay Street in Manhattan worker safety. How we respond to these issues and
7 Shelter Chapter meet these challenges will have consequences for years
Union Office, 12th Floor
to come.

“
8 Women’s Committee: 6:30 p.m.
We have begun to address the
Union Office, 12th Floor
many challenges that lie ahead.
We will use all the resources
10 Women’s Committee Dance and Card
Party: 6:30 p.m., 125 Barclay Street in We have scheduled meetings with available to meet these
Manhattan the city council and city agencies challenges including our
14 Fight Back Rally: 4:30 p.m., City Hall to avert layoffs. We are putting
greatest source of power –

37
together a media campaign that in-
15 Delegates Assembly: 6:30 p.m.
6DYHWKHGDWH

”
Advance Realty Building, 235 West 23rd cludes utilizing local and communi-
AFSCME
the membership.”
Street in Manhattan DC
ty publications. We are encouraging
AFL-CIO
17 Caribbean Heritage Celebration:
6:30 p.m., 125 Barclay Street in Manhattan
members to participate in union rallies particularly the June14 DC 37 rally
20 General Membership Meeting: 6:30 p.m.,
at City Hall. It is time that we stand up and stand together, and join with
Advance Realty Building, 235 West 23rd our brothers and sisters in other municipal unions who are facing
Street in Manhattan the same kinds of devastating budget cuts our members are facing.
22 Political Action Committee/Committee We are now one union united for success and prepared for battle. The
for Concerned Social Workers: 6:30 p.m.
Union Office, 12th Floor
success of our endeavors depends on how we energize and organize the
membership. Your involvement and commitment are the foundation.
We will use all the resources available to meet the challenges including
our greatest source of power—the membership. We encourage and invite
members to suggest ideas and strategies to wage a successful campaign.
These extraordinary times demand that we do everything possible to pro-
Published monthly except for a combined issue in July/ tect our jobs, rights and benefits.
August and a Supplement in January by the Social
Service Employees Union Local 371, District Council 37, We will call on you to get involved, stay informed and participate in
AFSCME, AFL-CIO. Subscription Price $2.00 annually.
Periodical postage paid at New York, N.Y. Union action. This Union is your union—keep it strong.
POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: The
Unionist, SSEU Local 371, 817 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y. 10003.
–Anthony Wells
USPS# 348990 (212) 677-3900
ISSN# 0041-7092
President
Anthony Wells
Executive Vice President
6WDQGXS³OHW\RXUYRLFHEHKHDUG

FIGHTBACK RALLY
Yolanda Pumarejo
Secretary-Treasurer
Joe Nazario
V.P. Negotiations & Research
Rose Lovaglio-Miller
V.P. Organization & Education

7XHVGD\-XQH³&LW\+DOO³SP
Ingrid Beaumont
V.P. Grievances & Legal Services
Lloyd Permaul
V.P. Publicity & Community Relations
%URDGZD\DQG%DUFOD\6WUHHWV
Patricia Chardavoyne
V.P. Legislation & Political Action
‡6DYHMREV‡6WRSWKHOD\RIIV‡6DYH&LYLO6HUYLFH
Michelle Akyempong ‡6WRSWKHVHUYLFHFXWVLQRXUFRPPXQLWLHV
Trustees
Michael Ballesteros ‡6WRSFRQWUDFWLQJRXWDQGSULYDWL]LQJ
Yolanda DeJesus
)RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQFRQWDFW\RXUORFDOSUHVLGHQWRU\RXUXQLRQUHSRU
Melva Scarborough
JRWRWKH'&ZHEVLWHDWZZZGFQHWRU'&RQ)DFHERRN
Editor
Ari Paul

Visit us on the web at www.sseu371.org

2 The Unionist | May 2011

 Damon Adams
Speaks Out
Damon Adams got the chance to tell
his side of the story in an interview with
Sarah Wallace of WABC-TV, asserting
that his “whole life has been dedicated
to helping children.”
Adams’ previously unblemished repu-
tation is being smeared in the media. As
he recalled in the interview, “I am very
sad about what took place about the
death of Marchella, but I can sleep at
night knowing that I did all that I could
possibly do to help the family.”
When asked if he had reason to
believe that the 4-year-old girl was in

Pat Arnow
immediate danger, he responded, “No,
An SSEU Local 371 member comforts Chereece Bell outside the courtroom after Union members packed a gallery I had no reason to believe this was the
in support of her. case. She had a lot of ailments, she was
born prematurely and she spent the first

Members Pack Courtroom to four years of her life in the hospital, but
at no point did I think something was
wrong in the household.”
Support Adams and Bell Adams added that the indictments of
both him and his supervisor has had a
chilling effect on other dedicated front-
Continued from page 1 to act.
line workers at the Administration for
371 workers know the real deal: Admin- In addition to the legions of Local 371
Children’s Services.
istration for Children’s Services workers members April 20, Adams’ friends from
“We’re talking about people who are
are so overburdened with caseloads and Tufts University, where he graduated,
out there to help people and now they’re
administrative busywork that it is often sat in the courtroom, speaking highly of
being charged as criminals,” he said.
physically impossible to meet their their comrade who is now not only facing
“There’s no way I can control what hap-
directives. a prison term but a public battering from
pened in that household after I was gone.”
The problem is that ACS is an under- the sensationalist press.
funded agency that is mired in bad man- “It’s ridiculous. This man is dedicated
agement practices. Adams and Bell are to helping other people,” said college
merely scapegoats. friend James Lavallee. “He’s too good a employing to determine what “reason-
As Adams’ attorney, Anthony Grandi- person for something like this.” able” behavior for an ACS supervisor is.
nette, said in a statement: “Inherently Lawyers hope that upon sifting Before the hearings, Local 371 orga-
inconsistent with the suggestion that Mr. through the prosecuting attorneys’ evi- nized lunchtime rallies at ACS offices
Adams bears any criminal culpability dence, both the cases will be dismissed. around the city March 25 and a major
is Mr. Hynes’s statement that he was rally with more than 500 members April
convening a special grand jury to inves- Look at Management 6 outside the Brooklyn DA’s office.
tigate ‘evidence of systemic failure’ at the On May 5, workers again poured into CPS Bruce Carr was on hand to sup-
Administration for Children’s Services. If the courtroom to support Bell, Adams’ port Adams in court. He believed the
Mr. Hynes truly believes that an agency supervisor. Her attorney, Joshua Horow- public was woefully unaware of how
is suffering from system-wide failure, the itz, made the case that the blame rested overburdened ACS workers are.
solutions lie in administrative reorganiza- with higher level ACS management. “In many instances, you have a lot of
tion or legislative action—and not the He told reporters outside the court- repeat cases,” he said outside the court-
persecution of two of it’s overworked and room, “Why is it always workers who get room. “We all have a very difficult job.”
underpaid employees.” blamed for everything?” He added, “Hopefully, the charges will
There are various legal aspects in the Horowitz maintained that Bell was far be dropped.”
defense of these two former ACS work- from the sloppy worker, as the prosecu- The Union will continue to encourage
ers. In the case of Adams, Grandinette tion has suggested, noting that “she’s members to attend the court appear-
has shed doubt on the prosecution’s evi- caring, loving, and professional.” ance for the former members. Local 371
dence that he was aware that Marchella He also made the case that it was un- President Anthony Wells said, “We will
was in immediate danger and decided not clear what standards the prosecution was be here to support these workers.”

May 2011 | The Unionist 3

Celebrating HRA and ACS Vets,
T
here were two sides to this “It’s very difficult to do a great service if you don’t have
year’s labor/management
ceremony for Human Re- the people who are committed to do the job well. You
sources Administration work- can’t do this job fast…You’re talking about human lives.”
ers with 25 years of service
May 6 at District Council 37’s Cathy Camacho, Union Delegate and honoree
headquarters.
The morning celebration in-
volved labor leaders, managers, accomplishments, see rising attendance. “This is the battle
honorees and their co-workers caseloads and an overburdened cry we’re going to have…to
reminiscing about the last workforce. And the same time, fight to protect our pensions,
quarter century and celebrat- they are organizing to defend our wages, our health care.”
ing the achievements of those the civil service system from AJOS I Sheila Butler, one
who have dedicated their outsourcing and downsizing. of the honorees and a Local
careers to the public good. “This is a day when we 371 member, said problems
pause to recognize our service started to mount after the
A Crossroads to the City of New York and economic crisis began in the
But as SSEU Local 371 the people, regardless of title, fall of 2008. More and more
members know so well, regardless of position, but ser- people were coming into
civil service is at a cross- vice,” Union President Antho- HRA offices in need of assis-
roads. These same veter- ny Wells said in his remarks tance, and the workforce was
ans, while proud of their to the nearly 500 people in stretched too thin.

James McCray/Hy-Sync Communications

SSEU Local 371 members working at HRA were honored this month for their quarter century of service to the people of the New York City.

4 The Unionist | May 2011

, and Looking Forward
This posed a security risk,
she said. The long lines and the
waits agitated clients, and many
have taken their anger out on
the overburdened workers.
Wallace believed that this is
something Mayor Bloomberg
has not taken into consider-
ation, and that workers wanted
more security measures put in
place at work locations.
“I don’t think he under-
stands the magnitude of the
clients and the things they
ask,” Butler said.
Crystal Wallace, another

Clarence Elie-Rivera
honoree with the same title,
noted that in recent years there
has been a cutback in overtime
hours. This hasn’t just affected
workers’ paychecks. It has a Administration of Children’s Services workers listened to labor leaders speak about members’ accomplishments as well as the
challenges ahead.
broad ripple affect in that work-
ers are under pressure to finish
casework during the day so it who are committed to doing The workers, who were
doesn’t spill over into overtime the job well. You can’t do this joined by members of other
hours. job fast. There’s no way. You’re unions, enjoyed a morning General
“It puts a toll on the people
doing the work,” she said.
talking about human lives.” of entertainment, including
singing performances by the
Membership
Despite these problems, Milestone Moments Union’s own John Land and Meeting
many members spoke highly At a similar ceremony for Denise Jones.
The Union will hold a General
of HRA, and said that Local ACS workers May 13, Local Of course, ACS workers
371 and management were 371 members talked about how have had to deal with cutbacks Membership Meeting June 20 at
trying to avoid more harmful much has changed in the agency and fights with management 6:30 p.m. at the Advance Realty
cuts. In fact, HRA Commis- in 25 years. But they all spoke over the years, and this year Building, 235 West 23rd Street in
sioner Robert Doar rushed about what inspired them. For has been particularly stressful. Manhattan. All members are en-
to the ceremony from Mayor Caseworker Dorina Webster, it Some honorees, like Casework- couraged to come and participate.
Bloomberg’s budget announce- was in her 10th year when she er Michelle Key, complained
ment that same morning to tell began to see families she served that even in 25 years and with
workers that there would be no become self reliant, seeing the the agency helping her to get Save the Date:
layoffs in the agency. drug-addicted mother become her graduate degree, she has yet Gay Pride Event
“This agency and this Union sober, and the impoverished to be promoted.
have been evolving rapidly,” child now going to college. Webster said it was “perse- In honor of Gay Pride Month,
said Union Delegate and hon- “I decided I needed to stay,” verance, determination and the Union’s Committee of
oree Cathy Camacho. “[Com- she said. “That makes a big support” from her co-workers Concerned Social Workers and
missioner Doar] is showing his difference.” that inspired her to keep going the Political Action Commit-
commitment to this agency For Sup I Russell Banks, the over the years. tee, SSEU Local 371 is host-
the best he can, not only to revelation came in about five Ted Corbett, a Community
ing a joint committee event
the people we serve but for the years into service, when he Coordinator, said the job has
members.” helped an illiterate child learn always posed interesting chal-
June 22 at the Union’s office,
She added, “The Mayor is to read. He said he became like lenges, and people that enjoy 817 Broadway, 12th Floor, in
trying to do a lot more with a Godfather to that child, an that kind of problem solving Manhattan, at 6:30 p.m. The
less. We need more staff. It’s experience that taught him that will succeed and keep going. event will focus on the struggle
very difficult to do a great ser- a life in child welfare was more “You have to embrace to legalize gay marriage.
vice if you don’t have the people than just a job. change,” he said.

May 2011 | The Unionist 5

A New Day: Wells and Members United Sweep Elections
Continued from page 1
there would be more day-to-day inter-
actions between the rank-and-file and
Union staff.
“We made a commitment to be out in
the field,” Wells said, noting that Local
371 would beef up the Grievances and
Organization sections.
The Union currently faces some tough
battles ahead, with the indictments
against two former members on the
dubious charge of “criminally negligent
homicide” in the tragic case of Marchella
Pierce, the specter of budget cuts in agen-
cies where the front-line workforce has
already been stretched too thin, and the
continuous assault from the Bloomberg
administration against civil service
protections.

Delegates Elected
The membership also elected Trustees

Pat Arnow
and Delegates. The Trustees of the Local
are Yolanda DeJesus, Vincent Ciccarello
and Mevla Scarborough. The Welfare Front, l to r: Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Nazario, President Anthony Wells, and Exec. VP Yolanda Pumarejo.
Fund Trustees are Michelle Gaskin, Back, l to r: VP of Research & Negotiations Rose Lovaglio-Miller, VP of Organization Ingrid Beaumont, VP of Publicity &
Community Relations Patricia Chardavoyne, VP of Grievances Lloyd Permaul and VP of Legislation Michelle Akyempong.
Rosaura DeJesus and Jagdish Patel.
The DC 37 Delegates are Michelle Margaretta Morman, Joseph Nazario, The Delegates to the Central Labor
Akyemong, Ingrid Beaumont, Patricia Lloyd Permaul, James Plaza, Yolanda Council are Henry Adekoya, Michelle
Chardavoyne, Pascual Gomez Jr., Pumarejo, Sylvia Quinones, Derek Akyempong, Ronald Cook Jr., Richard de
Doris Hernandez-Murphy, John Land, Saunders, Ana Soto, Yolanda Williams, Ariaz, Lucy Lane, Hector Molina, Denise
Rose Lovaglio-Miller, Kirby Lindell, Jeffrey Wilson and Michelle Woody. Relf, Jose Santos and Thomas Schechter.

May Day
and
Beyond

AFSCME members (right) came out in force during the

May 1 labor demonstration. Local 371 retiree Georgia
Photos: Pat Arnow

Wever (above, at left) stood with other labor activists

honoring the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, who fought
against fascism in the Spanish Civil War.

6 The Unionist | May 2011

Passing the Assault Bill FIGHT BACK RALLY
SSEU Local 371 members will join DC 37 in
SSEU Local 371 is revving up its ef- Marty Golden and Assembly Member a Fight back Rally on Tuesday, June 14 at
forts to pass the “Assault Bill,” after two Peter Rivera, would enhance the criminal City Hall (Broadway and Barclay Streets),
members were attacked last month. penalties for assaulting a social service
starting at 4:30 p.m. Workers will rally to
On April 12, a woman beat an HRA worker to a second degree-Class D
save jobs and civil service, and to stop
Fraud Investigator with her cane after her felony.
application for benefits was denied. Just “The Union is in the process of try- service cuts, contracting out and privatizing.
two days later after a Family Court hear- ing to consolidate both bills into one,”
ing, a client assaulted an Administrative Akyempong said, noting that the final
for Children’s Services worker from the
Queens office.
law should mirror existing codes for sani-
tation workers and traffic enforcement
Save the Dates
Union members know that these aren’t agents. “We want this bill to pass prior to The Jewish Heritage Dinner will be June
isolated incidents. Social service workers the session ending.” 2, starting at 5:30 p.m. at District Council
encounter all kinds of violence on the job, She also urged members to contact 37, 125 Barclay Street in Manhattan.
but they need extra protection. Assembly Member Joseph Lentol, Chair
Right now, explained Union Vice of the Codes Committee, and stress the The Women’s Committee Dance and
President of Legislation Michelle importance of this legislation. The more Card Party will be June 10 starting at
Akyempong, there are two compet- members participate in demanding this 6:00 p.m. at District Council 37. Tickets
ing bills in the State Legislature. One legislation, the more likely it will pass, are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
(A-4525A), sponsored by Assembly Akyempong said. Call Helen Wilson at 212-777-9000 ext.
Member Nelson Castro, would make Local 371 members participated in DC 3053 to purchase tickets.
assaulting a social service worker a 37’s lobby day and had the opportunity to
felonious offense. A competing bill push for a consolidated assault bill at the The Caribbean Heritage Celebration will
(A-4672/S-00641), sponsored by Senator State Legislature. take place on Friday evening, June 17,
beginning at 5:00 p.m. at District Council
37. Local 371 members and their families
Have Questions? Get in Touch! are welcome to this event that features
good food, music, speakers and more.
Do you have a question for the Union’s officers? Our ears are open, and we
Please join us on the following dates on
want to hear from you, whether it’s about issues in the field, on location, or
at the Union office. the 12th floor of 817 Broadway at 6:30
p.m. for planning the September Latino
Please direct questions to the Vice President of Publicity and Community Heritage event. Light refreshments will
Relations Patricia Chardavoyne at pchardavoyne@sseu371.org or call the
be served: June 13, June 27, July 11 and
Union’s main switchboard.
July 25.

25 YEARS AGO May 1986 fire broke out in a lobby garbage bin and workers scapegoats,’ and ‘Hey Scoppetta, you’ve got do
“BLACK SOCIAL WORKERS GROUP ANNOUNCEs refused to return to the building until the unsafe better...’”
SCHOLARSHIP FUND conditions were corrected...The safety report
The Association of Black Social Workers has found that smoke detectors failed to activate 10 YEARS AGO MAY 2001
created a Minnie Dixon Scholarship Fund for a fire alarm. Workers left the building only “CONEY ISLAND HOSPITAL BUILDING IS
Black students pursuing a degree in the field after they smelled smoke and hear warnings DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH
of social work. The creation of the Minnie Dixon screamed by others.” It is ironic that an institution like Coney Island
Scholarship results from a desire to perpetuate Hospital that was created to save lives is
her memory...Minnie Dixon passed away on May 15 YEARS AGO May 1996 destroying the lives of over 30 of its workers in
10, 1985. She was a SSEU Local 371 member for “CHILD WelFARE WORKERS SPEAK OUT a Brooklyn health facility. Most of the workers
19 years.” Two thousand fired up child welfare workers and in the Coney Island Community Health Center
their supporters marched on City Hall May 14 at 2201 Neptune Avenue, a satellite mental
20 YEARS AGO May 1991 to protest the suspension and threatened firing health and drug treatment facility, have
“UNION FORCES CITY TO REDEPLOY WORKERS of two co-workers assigned to the case of Eliza been complaining about headaches, nausea,
AFTER FIRE Izquierdo, the child who died last November dizziness, asthma attacks, and more since they
Close to 100 Union members were redeployed 22, reportedly at the hands of her mother and moved into the building last January. Some of
at the Union’s request from a hazardous work stepfather...The workers marched around the them have been admitted to this hospital for
location at 103 Clinton Street, Brooklyn, after a south end of the City Hall Park chanting ‘No their symptoms, which they blame on toxic air.”

May 2011 | The Unionist 7

Congratulations Periodicals Postage
Paid at New York, NY
Congratulations to Rihanah Kashif, Fraud
Investigator at the IREA BEV in Brooklyn on Social Service Employees Union
her marriage to Donald B. Burnette Jr. on Local 371
817 Broadway
May 21.
New York, N.Y. 10003

Condolences
Condolences are extended to Odessa Boyd,
Sup I at Linden Job Center in Brooklyn, and
her family on the death of her aunt, Laine
Ancrum-Pitts, who died April 28. Condo-
lences may be sent to Odessa Boyd at 1048
Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221.

Condolences are extended to Kyiem Long

and family on the death of his mother, Muriel
Long Newsome, formerly of DJJ, who died
on May 4. She retired in June 2000. Condo-
You Call This a Budget? We Think Not
A
lences may be sent to her son Kyiem Long at fter telling reporters that the richest the only solutions are to reduce services or
2807 Leeds Court, Chesapeak, VA 23321. City residents couldn’t be burdened employee benefits. Ignoring the revenue
with paying more taxes and admitting side of the budget is politically popular, but
that the budget was not in crisis, we have learned that the City loses
Members’ Mayor Bloomberg went ahead in the long term.”
BULLETIN BOARD May 6 and unveiled an He continued, “With an
SWAP- Chief Broker at the DHS Facility at 501 New Executive Budget that improving economy, it
Lots Avenue in Brooklyn seeks a 4 p.m. to midnight shift includes cuts to social would be prudent to
at the Greenpoint facility. Call (646) 732-0210. services, education and use some of the $1.5
SWAP- FSU/CPS worker at 1200 Waters Place wanting other essential City billion in reserves
to switch, even if it’s not for a CPS position. Please call services. to prevent service
me at: (917) 349-2474. While most of the declines.”
SWAP- AJOS1 at East River Job Center in Long Island pain would fall on
City would like to swap with AJOS1 in Far Rockaway. If Teachers, the budget Target: ACS
interested, please call (917) 776-1223. does call for the layoff of Andrew White, the
54 SSEU Local 371 mem- director of the Center
SWAP- CPS/FSU at 2501 Grand Course, Bronx
looking to swap with CPS at 974 Morris Park Avenue, bers at the Administration for New York City Affairs
or CPS at 1200 Waters Place. If interested please for Children’s Services, as well at the New School, noted in a
contact (718) 679-7561. as clerical workers at the agency. As phone interview that ACS has been
GREAT DEALS ON ART- Beautiful custom framed
Union Executive Vice President Yolanda a particular target for Bloomberg over the
8” x 10” and 11” x 14” prints are available for sale. Pumarejo said, “This cut will only over- years, as it has taken a $288 million hit
Prices range from $25 to $75. Prints from artists like burden the already overworked front-line since 2009.
Romare Bearden and more are available. Please call workers, and cause more pain for the City’s “If you look at data over several years
Fred at (646) 265-8288.Thanks for reading. working families.” it’s clear that ACS has been hit very hard
WANTED- Top cash paid for your old jazz, soul, R&B in the gap closing initiatives,” White said.
and gospel albums. Call Howard at (212) 873-4016. Make the Rich Pay “Why ACS has been hit harder than many
FOR SALE- Large ceiling fixture, dolly, luggage,
Last fall, the Bloomberg administration at- other agencies? I think it speaks to the
dishes, pots, glassware, gift items, never worn tempted to make administrative cuts to ACS, reality that poverty programs get cut more
size small ladies’ clothing including dark brown but after intense lobbying by the Union deeply than everything else.”
Borghese faux fur jacket, never worn boots and and its allies in the community, the City The Union will work with its City Coun-
shoes size 8, large American flags, books, new Council was able to restore the funding. In cil allies to restore funding to essential
cordless telephone with clock radio, electrician’s
fact, Local 371 members have rallied—and City services.
meters and tools, lots more. Call (718) 430-1769
and leave a message. will continue to rally—with other union Brooklyn City Council Member Letitia
members and community activists calling James, who has long been an outspoken
CLASSIFIED ADS are free to Union members and agency
shop fee payers in writing only (typewritten if possible) to
for higher taxes on the City’s super rich and supporter of labor and child welfare, said
THE UNIONIST, 817 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003. Include for City Hall to get rid of its expensive and that she and her colleagues were commit-
your work phone with ad copy, but work phone numbers unnecessary private contractors. ted to fighting to restore this funding in
will only be printed with swap transfer ads. In no instance
And Municipal Labor Committee Chair- the upcoming budget negotiations.
will ads run longer than three months. No real estate or
business ads accepted. The Union neither endorses nor is man Harry Nespoli said, “The proposed “It’s not a done deal,” she told the Union-
responsible for these offerings. budget follows the current thinking that ist. “We’ve got our work cut out for us.”

8 The Unionist | May 2011