Local 237
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NEWSLINE
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November/December 2016
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Vol. 50, No. 4
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LOCAR L 237
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Resolute Resolutions
As the New Year approaches, we look to a
fresh start and a new beginning. It’s a tradition
held by some to make a resolution or a wish for
the New Year. Lose weight, stop smoking, spend
less money, listen to your spouse more and pray
for peace are just some of the ones many make,
few keep and most know have a questionable
chance of coming to fruition.
The New Year is also a time to evaluate the
highs and lows of the previous year and make
plans to correct or repeat them. But the most
resolute thing about New Year’s resolutions and
wishes is that although we make them with sincerity, plan to keep them in earnest, we all
know that there’s no penalty for falling short —
and there’s always next year to make them
again.
There are countless celebrities who have
weighed-in with their New Year’s hopes,
aspirations and advice. Oprah Winfrey famously said: “Cheers to a new year and
another chance for us to get it right.” Albert Einstein advised: “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”
Mark Twain noted: “New Year’s Day is
the accepted time to make your regular
annual good resolutions. Next week you
can begin paving hell with them as
usual.” Taylor Swift offers a hopeful comment: “This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.” And Tucker Carlson said: “I have no way of knowing how people really feel, but the vast
majority of those I meet couldn’t be nicer.
Every once in a while someone barks at
me. My New Year’s resolution is not to bark
back.”
At Teamsters Local 237, our members said
that they greet the New Year with wishes and
hopes that span the gamut from inspirational to
practical.
Gregory Floyd, President, Teamsters Local
237, and International Vice President-at-Large
on the Executive Board of the General Executive
Board of the IBT: “I hope our members take the
financial planning course we’re offering. Being
out of debt and staying out of debt will go a long
way toward achieving a happier life….which is
something I wish for all our members.”
Benny Carenza, Deputy Director, Long Island Division: “As far as my New Year’s resolution, first, I would wish all members health and
happiness. Second, I would hope to engage, sup-
port and educate more members every day to
make the union stronger and stronger. Members
are the union and getting them interested and involved is the key to success.”
Ken Roper, Business Agent, Housing Division: “Peace, harmony and a brighter future for
all Teamster Local 237 members and their loved
ones.”
Jeanette Taveras, Executive Board Trustee
and Law Enforcement Business Agent: “My New
Year’s resolution is for our members to become
more active in the union.”
Patricia Stryker, Recording Secretary on the
Executive Board and Director of Political Action
and Legislation: “I hope that reason prevails in
the coming year and that we are pleasantly surprised with the decisions that are made by our
leaders.”
Phyllis Shafran, Director of Communications: “While we all pray for world
peace, I also pray for peace of mind,
which for me, can only happen knowing
that my little baby grandson Mason will
grow up in a world of kindness, fairness,
and opportunity.”
Kevin Norman, Housing Director:
“Achieve and sustain weight for 8 out of
10 consecutive months. Also, perform 40
hours of volunteer service to homeless
and/or other less fortunate community
members.”
Shannell Grayson, Assistant Director,
Training and Educational Fund: “My New
Year’s Resolution is to make some new
lasting and meaningful friendships! ”
Floyd Addresses CB7 Task Force On Public Housing
Members of Community Board 7
invited Teamsters Local 237 President, Gregory Floyd, to address a
special session of its Task Force on
Public Housing. The Community
Board, which serves people on the
Westside of Manhattan from 59th
Street to 110th Street, has 16
NYCHA developments within its jurisdiction.
The 59 Community Boards
throughout the City function as an
advisory body reporting to the City
Council and the Mayor. They are
mandated by the City Charter to give
advice and oversight on issues pertaining to land use, zoning, the City
budget and delivery of municipal
services.
Community Boards consist of
up to 50 unsalaried members, each
appointed by the President of the
Borough they serve, with half of
them nominated to the position by
Council Members representing that
district.
Community Board 7 has only
two of its members living in
NYCHA developments, prompting
Madelyn Innocent, Chair of the Task
Force, to extend the invitation to
Mr. Floyd in an effort to shed light
on the challenges facing both the
workers and residents.
According to members of the
Board in attendance, the meeting,
which lasted nearly two hours, was
a “real eye-opener that will help us
with our recommendations to the
Administration on how to better
serve the NYCHA community.”
Local 237 comprises the largest
segment of the NYCHA workforce,
one third of whom are also residents. Mr. Floyd, who was thanked
for his participation in the meeting
and invited back, said: “This Community Board represents a very diverse population. It contains numerous apartment buildings, but obvi-
Pictured, left to right: Peter Arndtsen, Columbus/Amsterdam BID; Genora
Johnson, Board member and Douglass Houses resident; Sheldon Fine, Board
member; Roberta Semer, Chair of Community Board 7; Gregory Floyd, President,
Teamsters Local 237; Madelyn Innocent, Chair of Task Force, Board member and
resident of Douglass Houses; Kevin Norman, Housing Director; Board members
Mel Wymore, Richard Robins, Marilyn Rosenberg and Mark Diller.
ously, not all of them are alike. I applaud Board 7 members for reaching
out to us to gain a better understanding of life for those who live
and work in public housing. It is a
significant first step that has the potential to improve conditions for
everyone.”
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NEWSLINE, November/December 2016
Local 237 Member Services
A Message From The President
UNION HEADQUARTERS
212-924-2000
216 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10011-7296
PERSONNEL, 5th Fl.
212-924-2000
Edmund Kane, Director and
Chief Negotiator
Gregory Floyd, President, Teamsters Local 237,
and Vice President-at-Large on the General Executive
Board of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
LOCAL 237 DIVISIONS
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
HOUSING DIVISION, 2nd Fl.
212-924-2000
that would hurt members.
Kevin Norman, Housing Director Patricia Stryker, Director
CITYWIDE DIVISION, 2nd Fl.
212-924-2000
Donald Arnold, Director
Derek Jackson, Director,
Law Enforcement Division
Randy Klein, Deputy Director
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
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.
Mal Patterson, Director of
RETIREE DIVISION, 8th Fl.
Grievances and Hearings
212-807-0555
Todd Rubinstein, Esq.
Provides a variety of pre- and postGrievance Coordinator
retirement services, including pension and health insurance counsel- CIVIL SERVICE BAR ASSN
ing to members. (Pension coun6th Fl., 212-675-0519
seling by appointment, Thursdays
only). General retirement counsel- Saul Fishman, President
ing and retirement planning series Aldona Vaiciunas,
during spring and fall.
Office Administrator and
Nancy B. True, Director
Grievance Coordinator
John Picucci, Esq.,
LOCAL 237 DEPARTMENTS
Grievance Representative
(Citywide and Housing)
CSBA Welfare Fund
SKILLED TRADES, 2nd Fl.
Alicare 866-647-4617
212-924-2000
Donald Arnold, Director
HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2nd Fl.
212-924-2000
Donald Arnold, Director
Carl Giles, Coordinator
MEMBERSHIP, 2nd Fl.
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
COMMUNICATIONS, 5th Fl.
646-638-8501
Phyllis S. Shafran, Director
Local 237 Newsline, Editor
Website: www.local237.org
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)
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
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
EXECUTIVE OFFICES, 5th Fl.
212-924-2000
Gregory Floyd, President
Richard Hendershot,
Vice President
Ruben Torres,
Secretary-Treasurer
Social Security Administration
800-772-1213
NYCERS Internet
www.nyclink.org/html/nycers
NYC Department of Education
Retirement System
65 Court St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-935-5400
NY State and Local Retirement
Systems
518-474-7736
A New Yorker In The White House
A
fter 12 consecutive presidents
from somewhere other than New
York, this time, no matter who
won the election, Donald Trump or
Hillary Clinton, the president would be
a New Yorker. Political pundits will be
writing about this election for years to
come, including questioning how the
outcome was miscalculated by almost
all of the experts and pollsters who predicted that things were supposed to be
different.
On election night, under the glass
dome of the Jacob Javits Center, Hillary
Clinton was going to shatter the ceiling
and face the endless sky above, symbolically and politically. To the disappointment of many, that didn’t happen, but
New York still bears the distinction of
being home to the 45th president of the
United States. Only six other presidents
were from New York throughout our nation’s history. Each one exhibited that
certain New York style, swagger and
savvy.
Martin Van Buren, our 8th president, who served from 1837 to 1841,
was a Democrat who quit school at age
14 but managed to pass the bar and become a lawyer by age 23. A memorable
quote of his is: “As president, the two
happiest days of my life were those of
my entry upon office and the day of my
surrender of it.”
Millard Fillmore was the 13th president. He completed the term of President Zachary Taylor who died after
serving only one year in office. Fillmore, a member of the Whig Party, was
neither a Democrat nor a Republican.
Chester A. Arthur was born in Vermont but lived near Schenectady. As a
young abolitionist lawyer, he represented a black woman in a civil rights case
that resulted in the desegregation of
New York City street cars more than
100 years before Rosa Parks. He served
the remaining term of president James
Garfield, who died two months after
being shot by an assassin in 1881.
Grover Cleveland, whose face was
on the old $1,000 bill, was the first Democrat elected president after the Civil
War and the only president to serve two
non-consecutive terms. He was both the
22nd and 24th president.
Theodore Roosevelt, a Republican,
had a wide variety of interests and abilities, from lawyer, to cowboy, to biggame hunter, to serving as New York
City Police Commissioner. He took office upon the assassination of President
William McKinley, and served from
1901 to 1909. He became the first president to receive the Nobel Peace Prize
and was largely responsible for building
the Panama Canal.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt,
Theodore’s cousin, led the nation
through the Great Depression and
World War ll. A Democrat from Hyde
Park, he was stricken with polio at age
39 — a fact he hid from the public.
Roosevelt was a president of many
firsts. He served more than two terms
(term limits did not go into effect until
1951). He had a presidential airplane,
appeared on television and appointed a
female cabinet member among a long
list of his presidential first-evers.
Now, we have a native New Yorker,
Donald Trump, born and raised in Jamaica Estates, Queens, as the next Commander-in-Chief. He certainly bears the
essential traits of a typical New Yorker
with a determined, self-confident style
that combines sophistication, humor
and drive. While countless books will
be written analyzing lessons learned
and, at least for the immediate future,
the hot topic of talk shows will be speculating on what to expect next, one
thing we know for sure: the 45th President of the United States may live at
the White House, but New York is always what he calls “home.”
A New Year’s Resolution – Maybe
NEWSLINE, November/December 2016
3
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Above and Beyond
So many of our members go above and beyond the call of duty, performing acts of heroism, kindness and generosity that demonstrate their professionalism and heart. Here are some examples.
Several members working for
NYCHA at the Polo Houses in Harlem
volunteered to be part of an “Emergency
Service Department.” So, in August
when they received a 2 a.m. call, without
hesitation they jumped out of their beds
to get to work and assist residents suffering major flooding in their apartments in
one of the buildings devastated by a fouralarm fire. They cleaned up the soaked
mess and helped relocate shaken residents. Caretakers pictured, left to right,
Juanna Castillo, Jason Alexander, Caretaker Supervisor Jorge Olmo, Jalan Paige
(kneeling), Mike Scott and Tiffany Washington. Lateisha Harley, not pictured,
was also a part of the volunteer team.
DHS Officer Shkiayah Bryant braved a 2:30 a.m. fire to make a daring rescue that saved a man and a young child from a fire at the Flatlands Family
Shelter. She is pictured with Law Enforcement Business Agent Charlie Cotto.
HRA Sgt. Thomas Farrelly’s quick actions saved an
infant’s life. He observed a young mother crying as she
held her little girl who was not breathing. He immediately took the 16-month-old infant from the mother into
a nearby office and applied life-saving compressions,
causing her to evacuate air and start breathing normally.
EMS arrived and took the youngster to the hospital for
evaluation. Mother and child are doing well, thanks to
Sgt. Farrelly.
DHS Officers Luis Rivera and Danny Kanhoye not only ran to the aid
of a resident of the Willow Shelter who was set ablaze by another client, but
also captured the perpetrator of the 2:30 a.m. incident, who admitted to police that he torched the victim.
Local 237
DHS Officer Natalie Stewart was conducting a routine tour at 12:15
a.m. when she discovered an unresponsive client. She contacted Command
and Det. Carlos Rivera arrived. Together, they administered Naloxone, then
chest compressions were applied until the client responded. EMS took him
to the hospital for further treatment.
NEWSLINE
216 West 14th St., New York, NY 10011
646-638-8501
Website: www.local237.org
e-mail Newsline: [email protected]
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
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
Jai Stewart, Matisha Israel, Claudia Colon and Tabitha Robinson,
School Safety Agents at Staten Island Command, did their part for breast
cancer awareness, celebrated in October. In New York City, approximately
5,000 women
are diagnosed
with
breast
cancer with an
estimated
1,000 dying of
the
disease
each
year.
African American women
disproportionately die from
breast cancer
due to late detection. The
SSAs are wearing the pink shirts of the campaign to remind women: Awareness and early screening are key to a cure.
4
NEWSLINE, November/December 2016
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
On the Job
Local 237 is the largest Teamsters Local in the US and Canada.
Our members are municipal workers performing tough jobs, in a
wide range of titles, upon which we all rely. Here are just a few.
Cooks Cheryle
Roberts (pictured) and
Alexei Mikhailov have
worked at Woodhull
Hospital for many years.
Roberts notes: “Our job
is busy and hectic some
days but we work well
together and would like
you to know that we
make a difference and
are appreciated by our
department.”
Staten Island School Safety Agents received training on bullying, which
was conducted by Eric Johnson, Commanding Officer of Staten Island, pictured in the white shirt, center, next to Jeanette Taveras, Law Enforcement
Business Agent and Trustee on the Executive Board.
Housekeeping
Supervisors
Raul Campos,
Luna Arthus and
Prisca De Freitas, with
Citywide Business
Agent George Wade.
They work at Coney
Island Hospital in
Environmental
Services. Campos is a
30-year veteran
of the job.
Sgt. Melina Jackson, Corporal Danielle Brothers, Campus Security
Assistants (CSAs) James Marquez and Geraldo Taveras, City College
(CUNY) Officers on campus at work.
Congratulations to the Graduates!
DHS graduated 26 cadets in a ceremony at John Jay College for Criminal
Justice in September. Teamsters Local 237 President Gregory Floyd, pictured
first row on the left, told the graduates that their new job “was unlike almost
any other in that it requires an equal mix of toughness with compassion and
will feel at times both rewarding and frustrating. But, at all times, this job is
essential.” Charlie Cotto, Law Enforcement Business Agent, was also in attendance, seen on the right, second row.
The NYPD held a graduation ceremony at One Police Plaza in November for new School Safety Agents. Pictured is new SSA Bryan M. Lee,
with his proud mom, Captain Rachel Evans, the newly promoted Director of Hospital Police at Woodhull Hospital.
NEWSLINE, November/December 2016
5
The Political and Labor Scenes
Hoffa-Hall Re-elected to 5-Year Term to Lead Union
Gregory Floyd Elected VP At-Large
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
(IBT) represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women
in the United States, Canada and
Puerto Rico. The IBT, which holds
its General Executive Board election
every five years, held its most recent
election in October.
The election results provided by
the Office of the Election Supervisor
certify the election of General Executive Board members, including International Brotherhood of Teamsters
General President Jim Hoffa, General
Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall, International Vice Presidents At-Large, International Trustees and International
Vice Presidents in the Eastern, Southern and Central Regions. The International Union Vice Presidents in the
Western and Canadian Regions were
elected by acclimation at the 2016 International Convention in June.
The 2017-2022 International
Brotherhood of Teamsters General Executive Board members elected from
At the June 2016 Convention in Las Vegas, Local 237 members show their support for the Hoffa-Hall slate. Ken Hall, General Secretary-Treasurer, center left,
Gregory Floyd, International Vice President At-Large for the Eastern Region, center, and Jim Hoffa, General President, center right.
NYC metro area are: International Vice
Presidents At-Large Gregory Floyd,
President, Local 237, and George Miranda, Secretary-Treasurer, Local 210.
Dan Kane, Sr., Local 202 was re-elected as Eastern Region Vice President
(Go to www.ibtvote.org for full election results). Floyd said that he “welcomes the opportunity to be a part of
the Hoffa-Hall team working on behalf
of our members, helping to ensure that
equality and dignity in the workplace
remain a fundamental right for all and
not just a privilege for some.”
Hoffa noted: “This was a hardfought campaign and a historically
close election. Though we have
many challenges before us, now is
the time to join together as brothers
and sisters and stand strong against
those who would destroy the labor
movement and deny workers the
gains they have struggled to achieve.
We will continue to lead the fight to
organize the unorganized, ensure
strong health care, good wages, a secure retirement and holding employers and politicians accountable.”
Hoffa first took office following
his victory in December 1998 and
was re-elected in 2001, 2006 and
2011. With this win, Hoffa is elected
to another five-year term that will
begin in mid-March 2017.
Throughout the campaign,
Hoffa and Hall pledged to continue
the progress the Teamsters have
made in national bargaining, organizing and political action. “2017
will be a watershed year for Teamsters and for this nation,” Hall said.
“The Teamsters Union will continue
to be a force for change and will
lead our nation in efforts to improve
the lives of working families.”
In Hollywood: Lights, Women, Action!
In September, more
than 1,300 Teamster
women from across the
nation — including
members from Local
237: Cathy Rice, Long
Island Division Business Agent; Phyllis
Shafran, Director of
Communications;
Ruben Torres, Secretary-Treasurer;
Jean
Stokes, Director of
Membership and Employees’ Relations, and Jeanette Taveras, Trustee
and Law Enforcement Business
Agent — met in Hollywood, California, for their annual convention.
General President Jim Hoffa
opened the lively 3-day proceedings, which featured educational
workshops, guest speakers and a
massive protest march and rally.
President Gregory Floyd, above
left, and Secretary-Treasurer Ruben
Torres joined the rally in solidarity
with 14,000 critical support staff —
over 80 percent of whom are women,
and about 63 percent are people of
color — currently in contract negotiations to stop discriminatory pay practices at the University of California,
the state’s third largest employer.
Hoffa Joins Labor Day March
Boy Scouts Salute Labor
General President Jim Hoffa joined the festivities and marched
along 5th Avenue with hundreds of New York Teamsters in the 2016
Labor Day Parade. Leading the contingent along with Hoffa, blue shirt,
center right, are Ruben Torres, Secretary-Treasurer, Teamsters Local
237, center left; International Vice Presidents At-Large Gregory Floyd,
center, and George Miranda, white shirt, right.
Maf Misbah Uddin, Treasurer of District Council 37 and President
of Local 1405, left, and Marvin Holland, Political and Legislative Director for the Transport Workers Union Local 100, received the 2016
Labor Industry “Good Scout” Award presented by the Greater New
York Council, Boy Scouts of America.
Gregory Floyd, President of Teamsters Local 237, was the Chairman of
this year’s event.
He congratulated
the organization
and its honoree
selection by noting that “ordinary kids benefit
in extraordinary
ways due to
scouting
and
those individuals who lend
their support.”
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NEWSLINE, November/December 2016
Celebra
t Teamsters Local 237, we respect all of the ethnic and
racial groups that call New York home. We believe that
diversity is our greatest asset. In the 1960s, New York
Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan famously called our nation “a
great melting pot” where people from across the world have come
to live, lending their unique cultural traditions to an impressive
mix that blends into one tapestry called America.
Today, we live beyond the melting pot, in a “salad bowl”
model, where our ethnic, racial and religious differences are not
totally absorbed and obscured, but extolled and applauded. We, at
Local 237, celebrate and share the richness of our cultural differences.
In September, for example, we celebrated Latino Heritage
Month with a program that featured awards, entertainment and
food representative of Latino nations. With our large Latino membership and in a city with the largest Hispanic population in the
United States — a population of 2.3 million Latinos, according to
the 2010 Census — this was a most fitting tribute to the history
and culture of our fellow co-workers and New Yorkers.
Historically, most Hispanics in New York are of Puerto Rican
heritage, and Puerto Ricans continue to dominate — they represent 33% of all the Latinos in New York. The second largest group
by far is the Dominican segment (25%). The makeup of the New
York City boroughs, however, is very diverse. The Bronx continues
to be the largest in terms of its percentage of Hispanics (54%), and
also continues to be primarily Puerto Rican.
But the makeup of the other boroughs, especially Queens, has
changed dramatically in recent years. Puerto Ricans and Dominicans are a minority of the Hispanics in Queens. On Long Island,
the largely Puerto Rican and Salvadoran Latino population has
tripled since 1980 with approximately 67% of Latinos living in
Nassau County, concentrated in the town of Hempstead, and 68%
in Suffolk, the majority in the towns of Brookhaven and Islip.
But on September 30, at 237’s evening festivities of Hispanic
pride, everyone was Latino.
A
Honorees Jose L. Seda, Athena L. Almodovar, Marta Roldan, Nancy Martinez
and Mildred Powell with Local 237 President Gregory Floyd.
Honoree Athena L. Almodovar, Caretaker J,
Housing Division, with Local 237 President
Gregory Floyd.
Long Island Division
members working
in the Brentwood
School District.
Maria Kondtantatos,
Nancy Provenzano,
Peggy Conroy were
in attendance to celebrate with their
co-worker, honoree
Marta Roldan,
a cook, seated
next to her husband,
Artie Roldan.
Honoree Mildred Powell, Housing
Supervisor at Elmhurst Hospital,
Citywide Division, with
Local 237 President Gregory Floyd.
Letter from
Golden Teamster
Award
honoree
NYS Senator
Gustavo River,
thanking
Local 237 for
“your invaluable
support and
solidarity.”
Today, we live beyond the
melting pot, in a “salad
bowl” model, where our
ethnic, racial and religious
differences are not totally
absorbed and obscured, but
extolled and applauded.
Honoree Captain Nancy Martinez, Special
Officer/Supervisor, Citywide Division, with
Sergeants Lester Lloyd and Brenda Williams.
NEWSLINE, November/December 2016
ating Latino Heritage
Honoree Jose L. Seda, Senior Guard, Brentwood School District, Long Island
Division, with family and friends cheering him on.
Of course
there was
music...
Top, Chico Alvarez
and Palomonte
Orchestra, and
dancers Franck
Muhel and Satomi
Montague performed for the
gathering.
...and
Dancing
Ruben Torres, Secretary Treasurer on the Local 237 Executive Board;
Chilo Cajigas, Poeta; Nancy B. True, Director, Retiree Division; Donald Arnold,
Director, Citywide Division; Benny Carenza, Deputy Director, Long Island
Division, and Kevin Norman, Housing Director.
Members of Local 237’s NYPD School Safety Division Explorers
mentoring program with Local 237 President Gregory Floyd, center.
Flags of every Latino country decorated the ceiling.
There was plenty of mouth-watering food, a standard of the Latino culture.
7
8
NEWSLINE, November/December 2016
LONG ISLAND
REPORT
Congratulations
Angelo Magliocco, Assistant Civil Engineer in the Town
of Babylon, who retired in September after 33 years of service, received congratulations from Andrew Viegas, Business
Agent, left, and Benny Carenza, Deputy Director.
Marta Roldan, a cook in the Brentwood School District and a member since 1992, was
a recent recipient of the Local 237 President’s Award at the Latino Heritage Celebration.
Right, Benny Carenza, Deputy Director, paid a visit to Roldan on the job.
Helping Dave
Dave Mitchell, who worked as a Custodian at South Middle School in
Brentwood, is battling ALS. A fundraiser was held to help Dave, pictured
above with his wife Lynn and their children. Center, South Middle School Cus-
todian Vito Fabrezio, right, with Dave, donated all of the food for the party.
Right, Scott Dimperio, Shop Steward of the Maintenance Division, right, with
Dave and Benny Carenza, Deputy Director, helped to raise more than $1,100.
Contract Ratified
Santa Claus Comes to Town
A new contract for the Plainview Old Bethpage school aides, and buildings and grounds members, has been reached. It was overwhelmingly ratified. Pictured are John Hammer, the liaison for Building and Grounds members, and Plainview Old Bethpage Aides Shop Steward Donna Vangelatos.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus
paid a visit to the Long
Island Division’s holiday
celebration
featuring
plenty of good food and
good cheer for members
and
their
families.
Richard
Hendershot,
Vice President on the Executive Board; Gisela
“GiGi” Reyes, Executive
Administrative Assistant; Mr. and Mrs. Claus;
Tricia Wade, Secretary,
Long Island Division;
Midersi Martinez, Executive Secretary; Benny
Carenza, Deputy Director, Long Island Division.
Right, Members of
the
North
Babylon
school district join in the
festivities.
NEWSLINE, November/December 2016
Part-time Rest & Part-time Job
NYCHA Maintenance Worker Nicholas Picozzi Sr. retired after almost 20 years on the job in Richmond Terrace, Staten Island. His plans
include vacationing and maybe getting a part-time job. Nicholas received
well-wishes from Executive Board members Curtis Scott, Trustee and
Housing Business Agent, left, and Ruben Torres, Secretary-Treasurer.
Retires in ‘Grand’ Style
ATI
RN
TE
IN
SSA
SGT
Marianne Leto,
after nearly 32
years on the job
Queens
with
South
Command, has retired. She is pictured with Law
Enforcement
Business Agent
Frank Rella at
Thomas Edison
High
School.
Marianne says
she is especially
looking forward
to
spending
more time with
her grandkids.
S
R
Grandkids, Here She Comes!
O
R
EAMS
TE
FT
Added to the Roster of Retirees
R
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. 14th Street, NY 10011, or call 646-638-8501,
or e-mail [email protected].
Congratulations!
NYCHA Housing Inspector Antonio Galsim and his wife Hilaria are
celebrating the promotion of their daughter, Rhea Ann Galsim, a St.
Francis College graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Management, as she assumes the position of Senior Digital Analyst for the American Express Company.
Important Information Regarding
WTC Participation Form –
Deadline Extended
The deadline for submission of the World Trade Center (WTC) Notice of Participation has been extended to September 11, 2018. The Notice of Participation in Rescue and Recovery or Clean-Up Operations is
required for any active, vested or retired member (after 9-11-01) who
participated in the WTC Rescue, Recovery or Clean-Up Operations between September 11, 2001, and September 12, 2002, if the member becomes disabled and wants to apply for the WTC disability benefit.
It is NOT an application for disability. It is a sworn statement indicating the dates and locations of your participation which preserves your
right to file for disability under the WTC Disability Law. If you meet the
pre-qualifying criteria under the WTC Disability Law and wish to apply
for disability retirement, you must also file a disability application.
NOTE: Eligible beneficiaries of deceased members should complete
this form as the members would have had to complete it.
The extension includes:
• Tiers 1 and 2 vested members and their Eligible Beneficiaries pursuant to NYC Administrative Code 13-168
• Tier 3 vested members of the Uniformed Correction Force and
their Eligible Beneficiaries pursuant to NYS Retirement and Social Security Law 507-c
• Tier 4 vested members of the Uniformed Sanitation Force and
their Eligible Beneficiaries pursuant to NYS Retirement and Social Security Law 605-b
• Tier 4 vested Deputy Sheriffs and their Eligible Beneficiaries pursuant to NYS Retirement and Social Security Law 605-c
• Tier 4 vested members Emergency Medical Technicians and their
Eligible Beneficiaries pursuant to NYS Law 607-b.
•
For more information, visit the Customer Service Center, located
at 340 Jay Street, downtown Brooklyn, open Monday through Friday,
8am to 5pm, on the mezzanine level, or write: 335 Adams Street, Suite
2300, Brooklyn, NY 11201-3724. There is also a call center, available
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, 347-643-3000.
CONDOLENCES...
It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of the following
members of Local 237 or members of their family. They will be missed.
Ronald Bryant, member of Staten Island’s Mobile Task Force, pictured with Jeanette Taveras, Law Enforcement Business Agent and
Trustee on the Executive Board, has retired after 35 years on the job.
Well-wishers celebrated Bryant’s retirement at the NYPD/School Safety Staten Island Christmas Party recently held at the Excelsior Grand.
…to the family of Campus Peace Officer Victor
Sanchez. Victor began his career at Queens College 13
years ago, where his commitment to protect and serve
the college community earned him a reputation of distinction. He leaves behind his wife Milagros, three
children and a grandson.
•••
…to Citywide Director Donald Arnold and wife Doris on the passing of
Donald’s cherished family member, his sister-in-law, Patricia Ann
Smith Lloyd.
•••
…to SSA Eboni Holmes of the Bronx West Command, who is mourning
the death of his beloved father Earl Holmes, and grandfather Ben Reid.
9
10
NEWSLINE, November/December 2016
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
In Recognition of a Job Well Done
President Gregory Floyd, third from
the left, and Donald Arnold, Director of
the Citywide Division, right, with members of the DCAS Elevator Mechanics
and Special Officers unit whose outstanding work and years of service were
acknowledged at the Quality of Work
Award ceremony held on October 26 at
1 Centre Street headquarters.
Pictured with Floyd and Arnold
are Charles Orr, Special Officer; Elevator Mechanics Ramchan Bodh, Orlando Ruiz, Erick Marinez, and Michael
Smith. Although not pictured, there
were approximately 30 additional
DCAS employees who received the
same recognition at the event.
Left: “Thank you President Floyd,” read
the plaque presented by SSA3 Charles
Green to Law Enforcement Business Agent
Charlie Cotto, representing the Teamsters
President. Green was acknowledging his
gratitude for donations enabling the purchase of “Back to School/Anti-bullying”
bags and school supplies given away to students at the School Safety Bronx East Training session held in Estella Diggs Park in
September.
Right: SSA1 Celeste Morrison of Julia
Richman Educational Complex received a
Citation from the Office of the Brooklyn
Borough President for his work in the community during the 2nd Annual Day of NonViolence.
Divorce and Property Division in New York
Mary E. Sheridan, Esq.
Director, Local 237
Legal Services Plan
N
ew York is an “equitable distribution” state when it comes to divorce. This means that marital property is divided at the time of the divorce but
the division will not necessarily be
fifty/fifty. Instead, the court considers numerous factors, laid out in the divorce
statutes, to determine what is equitable
under the specific circumstances.
Not all property is marital — or subject
to division — in a New York divorce. For
instance, the property that you separately
own prior to your marriage is considered
still yours after the divorce. That is unless
you add your spouse’s name onto the asset
— for instance a bank account or a Deed to
a house, in which case you have gifted onehalf to your spouse and it is now marital.
Inherited property is also considered sepa-
rate property, as is
compensation
for
personal injury except to the extent the
compensation is for
lost wages or earning
capacity.
Marital property,
which will be divided at the time of divorce, is any property acquired during the marriage even if the
property is in the name of only one spouse.
Also, any increase in value of separate
property acquired prior to the marriage that
is due to yours or your spouse’s contributions, will be presumed marital. For example, you own a house prior to the marriage
and during the marriage you renovate the
home or make other improvements that increase the value of the home, your spouse
will have a claim on the increased value.
Many people do not realize that retirement
accounts, including pensions, and Deferred
Compensation, are considered marital property. This is often one of the biggest assets we see
in the divorce work we do at Local 237 Legal
Services Plan. The spouse will have a claim
on that portion of the retirement accounts
earned during the time of the marriage.
Couples can choose to execute a
prenuptial agreement which could protect
separate property from being divided in the
event of a divorce. If there is no prenuptial
agreement and the divorcing parties cannot
agree on property division during a divorce, then the court will decide which
property is subject to division and how that
property will be divided. The starting point
will be an equal division; however, the 13
specific statutory factors must be considered. Even after considering these factors,
the court may take into account “any other
factor” it finds to be fair in arriving at an equitable distribution of the marital property.
•
Your Legal Services Plan can be reached
at 212-924-1220.
NEWSLINE, November/December 2016
11
Resumen en Español
Una Resolución Firme
Al acercarse el Año Nuevo, anhelamos un comienzo Nuevo y
fresquecito. Es una tradición celebrada por muchos hacer una resolución o
un deseo para el Año Nuevo. Perder
peso, dejar de fumar, gastar menos
dinero, escuchar más a su cónyuge y
orar por la paz son solo algunos de los
muchos que pocos mantienen y que la
mayoría saben que cuestionablemente
cumplirán. El Nuevo Año es también
un tiempo para evaluar las altas y las
bajas del año anterior y de hacer
planes para corregir lo malo y repetir
lo bueno. Pero lo más resoluto de las
resoluciones y deseos de Año Nuevo
es que aunque los hagamos, no hay
penalidad por quedarnos cortos—y
siempre habrá el próximo año para
hacerlas nuevamente.
Hay innumerables celebridades que han expresado sus esperanzas y aspiraciones para el
Nuevo Año dándonos consejos. Oprah Winfrey
dijo, famosamente: “Saludos a un nuevo año y a
una nueva oportunidad para lograr éxito.” Albert Einstein aconsejó: “Aprender del ayer, vivir
para hoy, aspirar para mañana.” Mark Twain
notó: “El Día del Año Nuevo es el tiempo aceptable para hacer sus buenas resoluciones anuales.
La semana que viene puedes empezar preparando el infierno con ellos como de costumbre.”
Taylor Swift ofrece un comentario esperanzador:
“Este es un nuevo año. Un nuevo comienzo. Y
las cosas cambiarán.” Y Tucker Carlson dijo: “No
tengo manera de saber cómo realmente la gente
se siente, pero la gran mayoría de los que conozco no podía ser más agradable. Cada vez en
cuando alguien me grita. Mi resolución de Año
Nuevo es de no gritarle para atrás.”
En Teamsters Local 237, nuestros miembros
han dicho que saludarán el nuevo año con
buenos deseos y esperanzas que abarcan desde
lo inspirador a lo práctico.
Gregory Floyd, Presidente, Teamsters Local
237 y Vicepresidente Internacional en la Junta
Directiva General de Teamsters:
“Espero que nuestros miembros tomen el
curso de planificación financiera que estamos
ofreciendo. El estar libre de deudas y quedarse
sin deudas les dará mucha ventaja en lograr una
vida más feliz… es lo que deseo para todos nuestros miembros.”
Benny Carenza, Director Adjunto, División
de Long Island:
“En cuanto a mi resolución de Año Nuevo,
en primer lugar desearía que todos los miembros tengan salud y felicidad. En segundo
lugar, desearía poder agregar, apoyar y educar
a más miembros cada día para fortalecer cada
vez más al sindicato. Los miembros son la
unión y ayudarles a estar más involucrados es
la clave para el éxito.”
Ken Roper, Agente de Negocios,
División de Viviendas:
“Paz, armonía y un futuro más
brillante para todos los miembros de
Teamsters Local 237 y sus seres queridos.”
Jeanette Taveras, Síndico en la
Junta Directiva y Agente de Negocios
– Orden Público:
“Mi resolución de Año Nuevo es
para que nuestros miembros sean más
activos en la unión.”
Patricia Stryker, Secretaria de
Actas en la Junta Directiva y Directora de Acción Política y Legislación:
“Espero que la razón prevalezca
en el año que viene y que estemos
gratamente sorprendidos con las decisiones que sean hechas por nuestros
líderes.”
Phyllis Shafran, Directora de Comunicaciones:
“Mientras que todos oramos por la paz
mundial, también oro por paz mental, lo cual
para mi solamente puede suceder sabiendo que
mi pequeño nieto Mason crecerá en un mundo
de bondad, equidad y oportunidad.”
Kevin Norman, Asistente Especial al Presidente:
“Lograr y mantener un peso por 8 de 10
meses consecutivos. También, realizar 40 horas
de servicio voluntario para los desamparados
y/o para los menos afortunados en la comunidad.”
Shannell Grayson, Directora Asistente,
Fondo de Educación y Entrenamiento:
“¡Mi resolución de Año Nuevo es hacer
nuevas amistades que sean duraderas y significativas!”
Floyd Habla al Grupo de Trabajo de la Junta
Comunitaria #7 Sobre Viviendas Públicas
Los miembros de la Junta Comunitaria #7 invitaron a Gregory Floyd,
Presidente de Teamsters Local 237 a
una sesión especial de su Grupo de
Trabajo sobre Viviendas Públicas. La
junta Comunitaria, que sirve a las
personas que viven en el lado Oeste
de Manhattan desde la Calle 59
hasta la 110, tiene 16 residenciales
de NYCHA dentro de su jurisdicción. Las 59 Juntas Comunitarias
por toda la Ciudad funcionan como
un órgano asesor que ofrecen consejo y que reportan al Consejo Municipal y al Alcalde. Ellos tienen el
mandato por la Constitución de la
ciudad para dar consejo y asesoramiento en cuestiones relativas al
uso de parcelas, zonificación, el presupuesto de la ciudad y la entrega
de servicios municipales. Las Juntas
Comunitarias consisten de hasta 50
miembros sin sueldo, cada uno
nombrado a su posición por miembros del Consejo Municipal representando su distrito. La Junta Comunitaria #7 tiene a solamente dos de
sus representantes que viven en residenciales de NYCHA, lo cual instó
a Madelyn Innocent, Presidenta del
Grupo de Trabajo, a invitar al Sr.
Floyd con propósito de informar
sobre los desafíos que enfrentan
tanto los trabajadores como los inquilinos.
Según los miembros de la Junta
que asistieron, la reunión, que duró
casi dos horas, fue “verdaderamente una revelación que nos ayudará con nuestras recomendaciones
a la Administración sobre como
servir de mejor manera a la comunidad de NYCHA.” El Local 237
tiene la mayor cantidad de trabajadores en NYCHA, un tercio de los
cuales también viven en NYCHA.
El Sr. Floyd, quien recibió agradecimiento por su participación y que
fue invitado a regresar, dijo: “Esta
Junta Comunitaria representa una
población diversa. Tiene numerosos edificios de apartamentos,
pero obviamente, no todos son similares. Felicito a los miembros de la
Vistos, de izquierda a derecha: Peter Arndtsen, Columbus/Amsterdam BID;
Genora Johnson, miembro de la Junta y residente de Douglass Houses; Sheldon
Fine, miembro de la Junta; Roberta Semer, Presidenta de Junta Comunitaria #7;
Gregory Floyd, Presidente, Teamsters Local 237; Madelynn Innocent, Presidenta,
Grupo de Trabajo, miembro de la Junta y residente de Douglass Houses; Kevsin
Norman, Asistente Especial del Presidente; miembros de la Junta Mel Wymore;
Richard Robins; Marilyn Rosenberg y Mark Diller.
Junta Comunitaria #7 por incluirnos para obtener mejor entendimiento de la vida de los que
viven y trabajan en viviendas
públicas. Es un primer paso de
mucho significado que tiene el potencial de mejorar las condiciones
para todos.”
To Our Members
In this holiday season, let’s remember the less fortunate
and give thanks for what have. Enjoy the blessings of family
and friends, and to all,
HAPPY, HEALTHY HOLIDAYS!
Gregory Floyd
Pr esid en t, Teamst ers Lo cal 237 an d
Vice Pr esid ent -at L arge of t he General Execu tive Bo ard o f th e IBT
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 ____________________________________________________
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LOCAL237
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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.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
TE
Are you moving?
TEAMS
DATED MATERIAL
OF
RO
D
R
THERHOO
PERIODICALS
POSTAGE PAID
AT NEW YORK, NY
Richard Hendershot-Vice President
Ruben Tor res-Secretar y/Treasurer
Patr icia Stryk er- Reco rd ing Secret ary
Edmund Kane-Trustee
Cu rt is Scot t- Tr ust ee
Jeanette Taveras- Tr ustee
Promotions and Reassignments
On September 30, 10 School Safety Agents were promoted at a ceremony
held by the NYPD at One Police Plaza. Their titles were upgraded to SSA lll.
Those promoted agents are: Shakeya L. Garrett, Cornell A. Rawlins, Victor Tolentino, Nicolette J. Batista, Selena R. Robinson, Tamicha N. Freeman, Charmaine Alexis, Anthony D. Daniels, Maxene Humphrey, Shanaya S. Means.
Housing Division Business Agents Ken Roper and Paul D’Amato have
switched assignment areas: Ken will now cover Manhattan South and Paul
has Manhattan North.
Housing Business Agent Carl Giles has assumed the responsibilities of
Health and Safety Coordinator.
Meeting Notices
in the first floor small hall
Tuesday, December 20, 5 p.m.
DOE District Guards
conducted by Jeanette Taveras
Wednesday, December 21, 6 p.m.
DOE Educational Facilities Officers
conducted by Jeanette Taveras, Derek Jackson and Donald Arnold