Local 237 B NEWSLINE RO THERHOO D R E December 2009 E RN TEA MST AT I O N A L OF Vol. 43, No.10 S IN T R Local 237 Launches Media Blitz Against Unfair School Safety Bill The adjacent Daily News photo of a concerned school safety agent evacuating children when a gunman broke into a school last year captures the essence of a peace officer’s job. These vital public workers are now under attack as the City Council considers passing Intro 816-A, also known as the School Safety Act, a bill that creates an unfair complaint system against SSAs. Local 237 is fighting back. This month, Local 237 ran radio ads on WWRL 1600 AM, and placed full-page print ads in City Hall News and The Capitol, a publication for Albany legislators. The ads called attention to the excellent work of SSAs and denounced the unfair bill requiring public schools and the Department of Education website to post prominent notices encouraging students and parents to call 311 to complain about SSAs. No other city worker has ever been targeted this way. Additionally, President Gregory Floyd co-hosted “Labor Talk With Local 237” two half-hour radio talk shows on WWRL with Felipe Luciano. Hear the ads online at www.local237.org. The Dec. 19 program focused on school safety issues, including the unfair bill before the Council, and featured special A school safety agent evacuates children from P.S. 108 in Brooklyn on June 17, 2008, when a gunman entered the school. Maisel/Daily News guest Dino Johnson, a spokesman for Council for Unity, an advocacy group promoting safety and achievement in schools. Floyd also mailed letters to each City Council member emphasizing that the measure is “not only unnecessary, but potentially damaging.” He noted that it could “create a wedge between students and school safety agents. Students may be encouraged to make retaliatory complaints against an agent who was merely doing his job. School safety agents do not create the policies they enforce nor do they impose discipline upon the students, yet they are often the brunt of student frus- tration.” The letter also pointed out that the proposed bill is the result of a campaign generated by the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and other groups that have promoted exaggerated and misleading stoContinued on page 4 The NYPD Hosts Graduation of 172 SSAs The auditorium at One Police Plaza was packed with family and friends of 172 cadets who were sworn in as school safety agents at a ceremony hosted by the New York City Police Members of the graduating class. Department on Dec. 15. The graduation culminated 15 weeks of intensive training where SSAs learned to efficiently investigate, resolve and record any dangerous incidents. As peace officers, they are also authorized to arrest anyone who commits a crime on school grounds. President Gregory Floyd joined Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and Assistant Chief James A. Secreto, commanding officer, School Safety Division, on stage as the graduates, who will be deployed throughout the five boroughs, came up to receive their certificates. The Valedictorian, SSA Ernesto Castro, addressed the audience, which included his wife and child, vowing on behalf of his graduating class that “fear and disorder will not disturb our schools” as long as school safety agents are on the job. Following the ceremony, Floyd congratulated graduates and their families. See more photos on page 4. President Floyd with the classʼs Valedictorian, SSA Ernesto Castro. 2 NEWSLINE, December 2009 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, Deputy 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 COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS, 5th Fl. Felipe Luciano, Director, Assistant to the President 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 11201-3751 In Person: 340 Jay Street, Mezzanine, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Gen’l Information: 347-643-3000 Outside NYC toll-free: 877-6NYCERS NYCERS Internet www.nyclink.org/html/nycers NYC Department of Education Retirement System 65 Court St., Brooklyn, NY 11201 718-935-5400 Social Security Administration 800-772-1213 NY State and Local Retirement Systems 518-474-7736 Cherishing Family and the Fruits Of Our Labor H olidays are about giving thanks with your family. I consider all the members of Local 237 to be a family, and I hope you do too. We understand each other. We fight for each other. When push comes to shove, we are there for each other. As a family, we have much to be thankful for this holiday season. Although it was a difficult year for much of the nation, Local 237 managed to prosper in these difficult times. We kept our jobs, maintained our health care and received new contracts with decent raises. We succeeded in receiving stimulus dollars to repair NYCHA facilities, and we made headway to secure more funding for public housing employees. We won political battles in both Albany and City Hall. In this fall’s elections, we supported many winning political candidates who will work with us in the future to continue that success. Like any family, it is our unity that makes us strong. Local 237 is made up of many different workers doing many different jobs. And yet, we all have so much in common. No matter what title or position, we all struggle to make better lives for ourselves and our families. That is why we come together to fight for better pay and benefits. United, we are much more than just a group of workers; we are a force that must be respected. We are a voice that must be answered. During these holidays, give thanks not only for all that our union family has accomplished, but also for that union family itself. Be thankful we have each other. The Days Ahead We must take our commitment to each other into the next year, when our resolve will again be tested. Even as the economy begins to improve, government budgets are still being cut, meaning that municipal employee layoffs are always a threat. We must hold officials — both inside and outside of government — to their promises that they would support labor in good times and bad. It is encouraging that President Obama has already convened a jobs summit at the White House for the country’s leading business and labor leaders to present ideas on expanding our workforce and lowering the unemployment rate. This leadership should serve as a model for all of us — in government, private industry and unions — to pledge ourselves to empowering the workers of this country. Already, new reports show that the country is losing fewer jobs. That’s a holiday gift we can be happy about! Even with our efforts and our record of service to this city, there are those who still attack our members needlessly and without cause. The New York Civil Liberties Union continues to attack our brave and dedicated SSAs who have played a large part in lowering crime in schools. Although I believe that accountability in our schools is important, the NYCLU is attempting to push a law that would single out and unfairly criticize those who keep our children safe. They are using our SSAs as a way to create publicity for themselves, which may be good for them but it is not good for New York City. Next year, we will continue fighting tooth and nail in City Hall, in the media and in the courts if necessary to make sure that our SSAs are treated with the respect they deserve. We must keep up our fight to ensure that quality public housing and services are a reality for the many New Yorkers who need it. This fall, we joined with many state and local politicians to rally for increased funding for NYCHA. We are already planning more protests and other actions to keep attention on this important cause. NYCHA residents cannot have a decent quality of life if the workers who maintain their homes are overworked and understaffed. Now that we have begun to upgrade the buildings, it’s time to improve the level of service that keeps them running. This effort will make a better future both for our members and the tens of thousands of people whose lives they enrich. We must stay strong as we face these continued challenges. I am confident about the future, however, because of the success we’ve had in the past. We have positioned ourselves well to increase our standing throughout the city and state. We will continue to work as hard as we can to make that happen. So as the holidays pass along this year, give thanks but also relax and enjoy them. We worked hard to get where we are, and we all deserve it. 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, December 2009 3 Floyd Receives Award From Black Star News The Black Star News recognized President Gregory Floyd at its 2009 Annual Awards Dinner on Nov. 20. Held at the Midtown Loft overlooking Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue at 29th Street, the event, themed “Education as the Key to Empowerment,” recognized exemplary professionals who serve as an inspiration to the younger generation. “We are in the worst financial crisis in our lifetimes,” said Floyd after receiving his award for achievements as a union leader and education advocate. “The Great Recession may claim our savings, our jobs, our sense of security, but it can’t take away a degree once it is earned.” Other distinguished honorees included Soledad O’Brien, CNN anchor and special correspondent, whose groundbreaking documentaries “Black in America,” and “Black in America 2,” revealed the state of African Americans in the nation and their many challenges and achievements. The Rev. Al Sharpton, also awarded, spoke of a “new racism...of low expectations,” saying, “I didn’t know I was underprivileged until I got to Brooklyn College.” Sharpton, who participated in a nationwide educational tour, emphasized that we must “keep the issue out there” through activism. Accepting the award for Congresswoman Maxine Waters, (DCA), was Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), President Floyd is flanked, from left, by the Rev. Al Sharpton; Soledad OʼBrien, CNN correspondent; and Jamal Simmon, political and media strategist. 11th District. Also awarded were Dr. William L. Pollard, president of Medgar Evans College, and Elombe Brath, a leading historian, speaker and African liberation activist. The Black Star News was cofounded in 1997 by Milton Allimadi, publisher and CEO, with seed money from Camille and Bill Cosby. Peter Mikoleski: NYCHA photo Unit NYCHA Hosts ‘Employee Recognition’ Ceremony Caretaker Joseph Morreale holds his award for 50 years of service and is flanked, from left, by Barbra Edmonds, director, DC 37 Field Operations; Margarita Lopez, NYCHA board member; President Floyd; Walthene Primus, president, Local 957, DC 37; and Robert Croghan, chairperson, Organization of Staff Analysts. 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 Noreen Hollingsworth Trustee Ruben Torres Patricia Stryker Secretary-Treasurer Recording Secretary Edmund Kane Trustee Steven Gordon 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 The New York City Housing Authority’s Labor-Management Quality of Work Life Committee, and several unions, including Local 237, hosted the 20th Annual Employee Recognition Awards Ceremony on Nov. 6 at District Council 37 headquarters. President Gregory Floyd joined NYCHA Chairman John Rhea and General Manager Michael P. Kelly along with other labor leaders in congratulating the 500 honorees who were recognized for longevity, attendance, academic achievement and volunteer service. “As public employees, you are an integral part of New York City, because it is here where you live, raise your family and pay taxes,” said Floyd to the audience of union members. “In spite of all the challenges you face on the job, you come back to work each day with a renewed sense of commitment to serve the people of New York and the desire to do the best you can.” An outstanding honoree, Caretaker Joseph Morreale was awarded for 50 years of service (52 to be exact)! Morreale, 72, works at Washington/Lexington Houses in Manhattan where, he says, “I like working; I am used to it. I mop floors and stairs, clean buildings, take off graffiti, rake leaves and sweep sidewalks in front of the building. It’s good working with my colleagues.” Radio Days for Local 237 On Dec. 12 at 3:30 p.m., President Gregory Floyd and Felipe Luciano, director of Community Affairs and Special Projects, co-hosted “Labor Talk with Local 237,” a half-hour radio talk show on WWRL AM 1600. Their guest was Michael P. Kelly, NYCHA General Manager Michael P. Kelly, center, addresses Felipe Luciano during the program as NYCHA’s new general President Floyd looks on. manager, who was appointed in October. Topics included the future of public housing in New York City and the nation, as well as the biggest challenges faced by NYCHA in the coming New Year. “We need to see what resources we have and to redirect them particularly to the members who provide direct services,” said Kelly, a public housing veteran who served as executive director of Washington, D.C.’s housing authority. Kelly said he plans to use the $423 million stimulus funds to “expedite modernization,” replacing and repairing elevators and other major systems. Kelly said public housing is “critically necessary” for a society, and that NYCHA is “committed to jobs and job development as a cornerstone.” Jobs, he emphasized, “bring respect, integrity, family and unity.” 4 NEWSLINE, December 2009 Floyd Addresses Harlem Street Naming Ceremony President Gregory Floyd joined several elected officials and Harlem civic leaders at a ceremony on Nov. 7 to rename 145 Street and Bradhurst Avenue as A. Philip Randolph Boulevard and W.E.B. DuBois Avenue. Also in attendance to honor the historic black leaders were State Sen. Bill Perkins; Assemblyman Denny Farrell; Councilman Robert Jackson; David Levering Lewis, Pulitzer Prizewinning author; Michael Mulgrew, president, United Federation of Teachers; Dr. Anne Martin, president, Harlem Chapter NAACP; Jacob Morris, director, Harlem Historical Society; Janine Johnson, chief of staff for Assemblyman Keith Wright; and Anthony Harmon, director UFT Parent Engagement. Addressing the crowd gathered SSA Bill at the site of the newly named streets, Floyd recalled the contributions of Randolph, considered by many the greatest black labor leader of the 20th Century. Randolph served as the first president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters after a 10-year struggle to organize the allblack service staff of Pullman porters working on the nation’s railroads. Randolph became the most widely known spokesperson for black working-class interests in the country. In the 1940s he called for the first march on Washington by African Americans against discrimination in the defense industry. “Randolph, who lived in Harlem and admired DuBois’s writing, saw jobs and decent wages as the passport for millions of African Americans into the middle class,” Floyd said. Noting the similarities with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which also has roots in the transportation industry, Floyd added, “We continue to carry on the great legacy of empowering our members to negotiate good, steady jobs and fair pay.” Levering, a history professor at New York University who won two Chris Griffith Gathered at the street-naming site in Harlem are, from left, Dr. Anne Martin, president, Harlem Chapter NAACP; State Sen. Bill Perkins; Assemblyman Denny Farrell; Councilman Robert Jackson; President Gregory Floyd; Janine Johnson, chief of staff for Assemblyman Keith Wright; and Anthony Harmon, director, UFT Parent Engagement. Pulitzer Prizes (1994 and 2001) for biography with back-to-back volumes on W.E.B. DuBois, recalled the contributions of the renowned American sociologist and civil rights leader who lived in Harlem with his wife for many years. DuBois shared in the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909. His famous book, “The Souls of Black Folk,” proposed more radical activism over conservative accommodation as the way to free African Americans from oppression. In commemoration of both Randolph and DuBois, two resolutions were announced at the street naming, each stating, “It is past time for our community and our city to remember, recognize, and suitably honor our neighbor and a great Harlemite.” Congratulations & Welcome SSA Graduates! Continued from page 1 ries about the misconduct of SSAs. The NYCLU went so far as to sponsor an essay contest that stirred controversy and offered students prizes of $1,000 to write their opinions on school policing. Meanwhile, statistics attest to the excellent job school safety agents have done in creating a safe school environment: • According to the NYPD, total crime in schools declined 34 percent since the 1999-2000 school year. • An annual DOE survey reveals that 74 percent of students and 95 percent of parents feel that school safety agents make schools safer. • More than 90 percent of SSAs are African-American and Latino, and 75 percent are female. These figures belie NYCLU’s claim that SSAs are insensitive to the concerns of the large concentration of minority students in the city’s public schools. While Local 237 supports some aspects of Intro 816-A, including increased public reporting of statistics on student discipline, its plan to single out dedicated school safety agents as more likely to do wrong than other city employees is unacceptable. Any student or parent with an honest complaint about an SSA already has several ways to file it, by contacting the DOE, NYPD and 311. Valid complaints are then processed and heard. If an agent is found to violate protocol he or she is disciplined. The graduating SSAs became part of an extended family that includes Local 237 members and every Teamster and public employee in the city and nation. Many graduates’ relatives are also union members. Above, President Gregory Floyd congratulates SSA graduate Jaquon J. Pickwood, who is joined by his mother, SSS Debra Pickwood, and his father, John Pickwood, a Teamster Local 831 member. Left, Floyd greets Angela Budd, gym instructor for the School Safety Division. Above, Graduate Tiara Byrdsong holds her certificate and is congratulated by, from left, her mother, Teresa Byrdsong, a 911 dispatcher and former hospital police officer; President Floyd; and SSA L3 Vernon House. Left, Graduate Shaez Bozeman cuddles her 8-month-old daughter, Tainna Kelly, after the ceremony. NEWSLINE, December 2009 5 The Political Scene Paterson to Withhold $750M in State Aid In a move to preserve the state’s financial stability, Gov. David Paterson announced Dec. 13 that he would “unilaterally withhold $750 million in scheduled payments to schools and local governments” throughout the state, The New York Times reported. The reductions of 10 to 19 percent in aid will affect schools, social service providers, health-insurance payments, cities and counties. While Paterson said the withheld funds are not “a cut,” but a “temporary fix,” some lawmakers say the move is unconstitutional. Paterson countered that the delayed payments “are well within the bounds of legal authority.” The reductions include about $84 million in municipal aid to New York City that had been scheduled for this month. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said through a spokesman that the city is studying the plan, but may not object to the spending cuts, as long as they are fairly distributed throughout the state. It is uncertain when the state’s fiscal health will improve enough so that the withheld money can be restored, although there may be some relief in January, after Wall Street executives receive their bonuses and tax revenues begin to trickle in. Next month is also when Paterson presents his executive budget, and he may propose cutting some of the withheld payments permanently. In the aftermath of steep declines in state revenues, and Pater- son’s urgent calls for more than $3 billion in cuts from the state budget, the Legislature passed a $2.7 billion deficit-reduction plan this month that cut pensions for many new government workers and overhauled public authorities. Some said the cuts did not go far enough. Regarding the temporary cuts, Paterson asserted that state law gives him the authority to order his budget director to stop certification of payments to prevent the state from writing checks it cannot back, the Times reported. He acknowledged, however, that his authority might be challenged, saying, “This is as far as I can expand the powers of the executive branch within the legal limit.” Hoffa Opposes Plan to Tax Health Care Benefits At press time, as the debate over health care reforms approaches its Christmas deadline with no compromise in the Senate, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced the union’s support for Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) amendment to eliminate the proposed excise tax on insurance plans. The unacceptable proposal would levy a 40 percent tax on family plans worth more than $23,000 and individual plans worth more than $8,500 starting in 2013. As inflation forces those thresholds higher, more and more plans would be subject to the tax. “Millions of working Americans will pay thousands of dollars more in taxes under the Senate’s proposal to finance health reform,” said Hoffa. “Millions more will have their health benefits cut, even if they don’t belong to a union.” According to a recent study by Mercer Consulting, nearly twothirds of employers would cut health benefits rather than pay the excise tax. Another 23 percent would pass the cost of the tax on to employees. The idea that this tax will curtail the rising premiums is just dead wrong,” Hoffa said. “We much prefer the House plan, which would require the wealthiest Americans to Holiday Reminder: pay back part of the tax cuts they have been given over the past decade.” Gary Willett, a member of Teamsters Local 730, spoke against the tax at a news conference with Sen. Sanders. “When we negotiated our contract with Giant Food, we gave up part of a wage increase to maintain our health benefits at the same level,” said Willett, who works more than 50 hours a week loading trucks in the Jessup, Md., warehouse. “My plan isn’t a Cadillac plan. I pay 20 percent of major medical charges and I have an annual deductible of $200. If this tax goes into effect, the cost of my plan will exceed the threshold in 2017. “I urge the Senate to tax those Mixing DWI & Kids Is a Felony Last month, Gov. David Paterson signed a measure known as Leandra’s Law that makes it a felony to drive drunk with a child in the vehicle. Under the law, drivers convicted of being drunk while carrying passengers 15 years old or younger could face up to four years in prison. New York is the second state, after Arizona, to pass such a law. The law also requires first-time convicted drunk drivers to buy and install a device that prevents them from driving their cars if they have been drinking. The ignition lock device prevents an engine from starting if the driver fails the breathalyzer test that measures the alcohol content of a driver’s breath. Leandra’s Law honors an 11-yearold girl, Leandra Rosado, who lived in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, and who was killed in October while riding in a car driven by her mother’s friend. The driver was intoxicated and speeding on the Henry Hudson Parkway in Manhattan when her car flipped. She has been charged with vehicular manslaughter. The push for stricter drunk-driving penalties also followed a catastrophic collision in July, when a Long Island woman drove the wrong way on the Taconic Parkway in Westchester County, killing eight people, including her 2-year-old daughter and three young nieces. The driver, who also died, had a blood-alcohol content more than double the 0.08 percent that qualifies as being intoxicated while driving. The New York Times reported she also had marijuana in her system. Courts in New York convicted nearly 38,000 people for drunk driving last year, and nationally 13,000 people a year, many of them children, have died at the hands of drunk drivers. who can afford a Cadillac, not hardworking middle-class families.” Tax Preparation Discounts Local 237 Members can have their taxes prepared at the union’s headquarters by United Union Tax for a fee of only $20 if qualified for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Members whose salaries exceed EITC qualifications, listed below, pay only $40 for basic tax preparations, which includes federal, state and city tax forms; Child Tax Credit; Additional Child Tax Credit (Form 8812); Child Care Credit (Form 2441); and Education Credit (Form 8863). Fees must be paid in cash on the day of tax preparation. The good news for tax year 2009 is that credit and dependent allowances have increased. If you have three or more children, you qualify for an even larger tax credit (no more two-child credit cap). The tax credit limit for individuals with no children has also increased, as has the earned income limit. The list below indicates an approximate maximum you can earn to qualify for the EITC. The figures are subject to change in January 2010: Single $43,281 $40,295 $35,463 $13,440 – – – – 3 or more children 2 children 1 child no child Married $41,646 – filing jointly; two children $36,995 – filing jointly; one child $15,880 – no child To schedule an appointment, call Maria Debraux at Local 237 at 646-638-8610. 6 2009 NEWSLINE, December 2009 SCRAPBOOK A Few of Our Favorite Things Resembling a ride on Coney Island’s Cyclone roller coaster, emotions ran high and low this year with unprecedented events. It started with the inauguration of Barack Obama as the first African American U.S. president in January, and plunged fast with every report of impending layoffs, record unemployment and continued economic woes. Despite tough times, Local 237 had many reasons to celebrate, including the outstanding work of many members; diversity of our cultures; fair contracts; and virtually no layoffs in our ranks. A supervisor and caretakers at Kingsborough Houses in Brooklyn. Above, Long Islandʼs Half Hollow School District employees, from left, Thelma Richardson, food service worker; Lynn Platt, cook and shop steward; Cherise Tate, a Presidentʼs Award Winner Latoya Jordan, food and food service supervisor with the service worker. Department of Education, is congratulated by her husband and daughter. We look forward to filling our pages with joyful memories again in 2010. Right, former Mets player William “Mookie” Wilson greets fans at Local 237ʼs First Political Forum. Manuel Rodriguez, commissioner on IBTʼs Human Rights Commission, points to Charles Smith, northeast regional director of the NBA Players Association, as Harvey Jackson, vice chair of the Teamsters National Black Caucus, looks on. Boys sport matching hats at the 52nd Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. At the Irish Heritage Celebration, Citywide Division Arnold is flanked by, at left, DCAS Maintenance Wo and Presidentʼs Award Winner William OʼBrien, an e Below, President Floyd throws out the first pitch at the Mets Citi Field in April. NEWSLINE, December 2009 Director Donald orker Macky Kahn elevator mechanic. Barbara Imbro, a special officer at Sea View Hospital in Staten Island, gets help displaying her Presidentʼs Awards. Joint Council 16 President George Miranda joins Local 237 officials at the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Hospital police officers are recognized at Bellevue Hospitalʼs Peace Officerʼs Week ceremony. President Gregory Floyd presents Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez with the Golden Teamster Award. Taxi and Limousine Commission officers are sworn in at the graduation ceremony held at Local 237 headquarters. A proud group of heating plant technicians display their certificates at their graduation ceremony held at Local 237 headqurters. President Floyd and Local 237 officials lead the unionʼs contingent at the African American Day Parade. 7 8 NEWSLINE, December 2009 LONG ISLAND REPORT James ‘Jimbo’ Barger Is Fondly Remembered Local 237 friends and family gathered at the Claude Boyd Spencer Funeral Home in Babylon, N.Y., to remember James P. Barger Jr., who died in his sleep at age 55 on Dec. 5. An automotive mechanic III for the Town of Babylon Department of Public Works for 28 years, Barger was a tire specialist. He had the unique distinction of being listed in the 1979 Guinness Book of World Records as a champion tire changer at the Bath, N.Y., Tractor Tire World Championship event. Barger was also honored with Local 237’s President’s Award at the Black History Month Celebration last February. At the time, John Burns, director of the union’s Long Island Division, noted, “You will have to look long and hard to find a better union supporter. I value his commitment, his loyalty and his friendship. I will always be a better person for knowing Jimbo.” Growing up in Babylon Village, Barger excelled in football as a defensive tackle and led his Babylon H.S. team to the New York State Championship. He continued his football career at Nassau Community College and was a third string draft pick with the New York Jets. He also enjoyed riding his yellow Harley and car racing. Barger was laid to rest at Amityville Cemetery, and is survived by two sisters, Atalaya Valentine, Evadne Barer-Legrottaglie, brother Rev. Gervais Barger, companion Barbara Lass and their daughter Moniqua, 12, and daughters Tijuana, 34 and Erika, 33. Gerald Schulz The late James Barger Jr. holds his crystal Presidentʼs Award as he is congratulated, from left, by Vice President Richard Hendershot and Long Island Division Deputy Director Ben Carenza. Left, Barger with his daughter Moniqua. Added to the Roster of Retirees Heart at Work Time to Relax Scott Emer, former shop steward for Airport Security Guards at the Long Island MacArthur Airport, holds his retirement plaque and is congratulated, from left, by Michael Denby, airport security guard; John Mattia, the new shop steward, and Long Island Division Deputy Director Ben Carenza. Emer, who retired recently, is already back at the airport with a new part-time job. Marguerite Coddington smiles as she receives a retirement plaque from Long Island Division Business Agent Judith Campbell, to her left. Coddington, an administrative assistant for the Town of Islip, retires Dec. 30 with 40 years of service. She is joined, from left, by Allison Power, negotiator, and Ann Marie Vallone, shop steward. Coddington says she looks forward to spending quality time with her grandchildren and relaxing. NEWSLINE, December 2009 ATI RN TE EAMS TE FT mailbox O R S R IN R A Newsline article last month entitled “Forest Houses Team Repeats as Softball Champ” on page 4 featured Steve Perez, manager of the second-place Brewers, and recipient of the first trophy in memory of Abbey Pabon Jr., the late Local 237 trustee and Softball Commissioner. Perez was awarded for his dedication to the league over the years. Below, he extends his thanks. Thanks to Local 237 for the beautiful trophy. I owe a lot of gratitude to Mr. Ed Kane, the new Softball Commissioner. It’s truly an honor to receive the first Abbey Pabon Jr. Memorial Trophy. This was one of the weirdest seasons in 20 years because of all the rainouts. We almost drowned on Randalls Island! But we played a good year except for the last round. I tip my hat to Forest Houses and look forward to playing them next year. We’ll be back after the holidays. I hope to start the season earlier. Steve Perez Bellevue’s HPO Knight Retires Veteran Hospital Police Officer Robert Knight will officially retire from Bellevue Hospital Center on Jan. 1. His HPO career began at Gouverneur, where he served for more than 15 years, then Coler Goldwater Specialty Hospital for about three years. “I’m going to miss them all,” said Knight of his colleagues. “I enjoyed working with each and every one.” The Bronx father of two sons and two daughters has one grandson and a son living in Japan. He plans to rest up for a while before visiting his son on the other side of the world. Congratulations to … …SCHOOL SAFETY AGENT SHONETTE HOYTE of Bronx West Command on the birth of her daughter, Azani Star Miracle Hoyte, on Nov. 13. The baby weighed 8 pounds 9 ounces and has two sisters, ages 9 and 5. ••• …SSA CHAD MOODY of New Utrecht H.S. and his girlfriend, Camille White, who gave birth to a baby boy, Aiden Josiah Moody, on Dec. 2. Aiden weighed 8 pounds 2 ounces and was 21 inches long. ••• …SGT. CARRINGTON at Human Resources Administration who was newly promoted this month and will be stationed at East End Job Center. ••• …SSA EUGENIA BOYKIN of I.S. 339 Bronx East Command, whose grandmother, Wilhelmina Washington, celebrates her 100th birthday on Christmas Day! Washington was born in 1909 in Charleston, S.C. She has one daughter and two grandchildren, plus nine great grandchildren, including Boykin’s five children. A surprise party was held for Washington on Dec. 19 when relatives came from all over, including Germany. ••• …SSA ELLISANT JEAN of Tilden High School and his fiancée, Neisha Johnson, who gave birth to a baby girl, Melissa Anessa Jean, on Dec. 8. The baby weighed 8 pounds 12 ounces. ••• ...SSA TAQUANNA SPRUILL-REID, of Brooklyn South Command, and her husband, Calvin Reid, on the birth of their boy, Tevon Jasiah Reid on Dec. 10. Tevon, who weighed a whopping 9 pounds 16 ounces, is the grandson of SSA L2 Emma Spruill of Support Services. ••• Best wishes for a speedy recovery from surgery to SSA L3 CORINTHIANS ANDREWS of Brooklyn South Training Unit; and to SSA DENISE DELAIRE of I.S. 281, who was a patient at Coney Island Hospital at press time. 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]. Register for Cornell Labor Studies Former Hospital Police Officer Robert Knight holds his retirement plaque and is congratulated by, from left, Edmund Kane, trustee, and Al Soto, Citywide Division deputy director. Registration is underway for the spring semester at Cornell ILRCUNY Murphy Institute Labor Relations Program. College-credit courses begin January 28. Admission is open to all high school graduates, and tuition is low, with partial scholarships still available. Course offerings include arbitration, contemporary labor issues, workplace health and safety, principles of organizing and contract administration. Those interested in enrolling or have questions about the program, should call Cornell’s office as soon as possible at 212-340-2847. Apply for Hoffa Scholarship Applications are available at Local 237’s Education Department for the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund’s 2010-2011 Academic Year. The Fund awards scholarships annually to outstanding high school seniors who are the children or grandchildren of Teamsters. To qualify, applicants must be in the top 15 percent of their class, and plan to submit SAT or ACT scores for evaluation and plan to attend an accredited four-year college or university. Call the Education Department at 212-807-0550 to request an application, or download it at www.local237.org. Completed applications must be returned to Local 237 for further processing at least two weeks before the Scholarship Fund’s deadline of March 31. Union Plus Scholarships Union members, spouses and dependent children attending a twoyear or four-year college, graduate school or recognized technical or trade school are eligible to apply for a Union Plus Scholarship. Visit www.unionPlus.org/Scholarships online for information on eligibility and how to apply. Applications are due January 30. CONDOLENCES TO... …HOUSING CARETAKER ROBERT SANTANA of Red Hook West on the death of his father, Cristino Santana Hernandez, on Dec. 2 at age 97. He is survived by his three sons, four daughters, 18 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. ••• …SCHOOL SAFETY AGENT NAIRE MCCORMICK, of Manhattan South, whose nephew, Ronald Dee Williams, died Dec. 4. The 17-year-old junior at Williamsburg Prep H.S. was fatally shot after midnight as he walked to a corner store, according to a Daily News report. Williams is survived by his parents, one sister and three brothers. McCormick, who has five years of service as an SSA, mourned the loss of a good nephew “who went to school and did what he was supposed to do.” She added that “the entire school came” to the service and held a memorial for Williams. McCormick also says investigators are still seeking witnesses. 9 10 NEWSLINE, December 2009 The Light Stuff: School Safety Sponsors Biggest Loser Contest Last year, grand prizewinner Dawn Ross, a school safety agent at P.S. 112 in Brooklyn South Command, lost 18.6 percent of her body weight. Now serving as a command liaison, Ross says she keeps contestants “on point” during the 20092010 NYPD School Safety Division Biggest Loser/Winners Competition. The program began in January 2008 as an incentive to promote a healthier lifestyle for the employees of the School Safety Division. Coordinated by Vanessa Ortiz, an administrative supervisor at Central Command in Queens, the Biggest Loser/Winners competition includes participants from the division’s 10 citywide borough commands. Each command has two liaisons working closely with Ortiz conducting weighins and motivating their groups. Fully supported by Assistant Chief Commanding Officer James Secreto and Division Director Ramon Garcia Jr., command liaisons raise funds and organize events that include dieticians, personal trainers, weight-watch meet- ings, and even babysitters. This year, 256 participants enrolled, up from 169 last year, who lost a total of 869 pounds. Three cash prizes were awarded in 2009 to the Biggest Losers with money collected from the $10 entry fee each participant pays. Ross, an eight-year veteran SSA who won the first-prize of $1,200 for the Nov. 2008-June 2009 competition, takes long walks with her group every Saturday, recently at Marine Park in Brooklyn. She also advises her group to track food intake, choose healthful meals, and drink plenty of water. “As a group, we support each other,” says Ross, adding, “It takes a determined mind” to lose weight. “We text and call each other to meet for walks and weigh-ins.” Next month, on January 29, Biggest Loser/Winners is sponsoring a fundraiser, “So You Think You Got Talent School Safety,” at 7 p.m. in Prospect Heights High School to raise money for the program’s grand finale in March when weight-loss winners Local 237 Bikers Ride On a Holiday Mission Local 237’s Motorcycle Club rode on a charitable mission Nov. 15, to deliver toys to St. Mary’s Hospital for Children, in Bayside, Queens. The bikers, some carrying toys in their saddlebags, escorted a caravan of vintage cars from the East Coast Car Association, which delivered the lion’s share of toys for the young patients who are spending the holidays inside the hospital. “While It’s fun making noise on the streets and letting everyone know the Teamsters are coming,” said Eduardo Santiago, supervisor of grounds at Red Hook West Houses in Brooklyn, “nothing is better than bringing toys to tots in the hospital just before Christmas.” The riders led a parade of cars on the Jackie Robinson Parkway and the Van Wyck Expressway to get to the hospital. Local 237 members interested in participating in the club’s charitable motorcycle runs next season, should contact Housing Division Business Agent Norberto Luna at union headquarters. Members of Local 237ʼs IBT Motorcycle Club, including, from left, Eduardo Santiago, a supervisor of grounds, and Norberto Luna, Housing Division business agent, display their “Toys for Tots” patches with pride. SSA LII Michael Waldo Jr. School Safety Agent Tiniqua Jones auditions at Central Command in Queens for an upcoming fundraiser for the Biggest Loser/Winners Competition. are awarded. “There’s a lot of talent in school safety,” says Ortiz, adding that more than 24 SSAs have already auditioned. For more information, visit School Safety’s Biggest Loser website: SSDbiggestloser.web.officelive.com Working Theater Celebrates 25th Season The Working Theater, New York’s only professional off-Broadway theater producing plays for and about working men and women, will celebrate its 25th Anniversary Season in 2010 with 25 events over 25 weeks. The season will run from January 10 through June 28. To celebrate Black History Month in February, the theater will present a play entitled “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: From Douglass to Delivery,” by award-winning Broadway star André De Shields, a two-time Tony Award nominee, and OBIE Award winner, who also perAndre De Shields as forms his solo work-in-progress. Frederick Douglass De Shields says that his play “explores the life and achievements of the Great Emancipator, Frederick Douglass. Douglass began his life as a slave, and through heroic efforts became one of America’s most important and historically influential African American leaders.” Douglass, the son of a slave and an unknown white man, was born in Maryland in February 1818. Growing up, he suffered brutal treatment as a farmhand for a white boss. But he also encountered caring in an apprenticeship with a ship carpenter who taught him to read and “laid the foundation and opened the gateway to all my subsequent prosperity,” wrote Douglass, who became a national spokesman for the abolition of slavery and for racial equality. The play will run from Feb. 4–14, at the Abingdon Theater, 312 West 36 Street in Manhattan. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. with matinees on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be ordered online at www.smarttix.com, or by phone: 212-868-4444. For group discounts, call 212-255-3300. For a full season calendar and more information, visit www.theworkingtheater.org. NEWSLINE, December 2009 11 Resumen en Español Recuerde Durante Festividades: Es Un Delito Manejar Embriagado Con Niños El Gobernador David Paterson firmó el mes pasado legislación conocida como La Ley Leandra, que asigna cargos criminales al que maneja embriagado con un niño en el vehículo. Bajo la ley, cualquier conductor de vehículo declarado culpable de estar borracho mientras maneja con un pasajero de 15 años o menor, podría enfrentar hasta cuatro años en la cárcel. Nueva York es el segundo estado, después de Arizona, en aprobar tal ley. La ley también requiere que los que sean condenados por primera vez de manejar embriagados compren e instalen un aparato que les impida manejar sus vehículos si hubieran estado tomando. El aparato cierra la ignición y no permite que el motor se encienda si el conduc- tor fracasa la prueba de un alcohómetro, el cual mide el contenido alcohólico de su aliento. La Ley de Leandra honra a una niña de 11 años, Leandra Rosado, quien vivía en el barrio de Chelsea en Manhattan, y quien murió en Octubre mientras viajaba en un vehículo que conducía una amiga de su mamá. La que manejaba el carro estaba intoxicada y manejando a alta velocidad en el Henry Hudson Parkway en Manhattan, cuando el vehículo se volcó. Ella fue condenada de homicidio vehicular involuntario. El empuje por obtener penalidades más fuertes para aquellos que manejen bajo influencia del alcohol también resultó de una colisión catastrófica en Julio, cuando una mujer de Long Is- land conducía su vehículo en la dirección opuesta en el Taconic Parkway en el Condado de Westchester, matando a ocho personas, incluyendo a su hija de 2 años y a tres sobrinitas. La conductora, quien también murió, tenía un nivel sanguíneo de alcohol de 0.08, un porcentaje más del doble de lo que se considera manejar bajo intoxicación. El diario The New York Times reportó que ella también tenía marijuana en su sistema. Casi 38,000 personas fueron condenadas en las cortes de Nueva York por manejar bajo intoxicación el año pasado, y en todos los EEUU, 13,000 personas mueren cada año como víctimas del manejo bajo intoxicación del alcohol, muchos de ellos niños. División de Seguridad Escolar Patrocina Concurso ‘Perdedor Máximo’ El año pasado, Dawn Ross, ganadora del premio mayor, y Agente de Seguridad Escolar en P.S. 112 en el Comando Sur de Brooklyn, perdió el 18.6 por ciento de su peso corporal. Ahora, sirviendo como una representante del comando Ross dice que mantiene a los concursantes “al punto” durante el Concurso 20092010 de Perdedores/Ganadores Máximos de la División de Seguridad Escolar del NYPD. El programa comenzó en Enero 2008 como un incentivo para promover estilos de vida más saludables para los empleados de la División de Seguridad Escolar. Coordinado por Vanesa Ortiz, una supervisora administrativa en el Comando Central de Queens, los participantes del programa son reclutados de los 10 comandos que comprenden la División en toda la Ciudad. Cada co- mando tiene dos representantes que trabajan de cerca con Ortiz efectuando medidas de peso y motivando a sus compañeros. Con el pleno apoyo del Oficial Jefe Asistente James Secreto y el Director de la División Ramón García Jr., los representantes de comando recaudan fondos y organizan eventos con participación de dietistas, entrenadores personales, nutricionistas, reuniones de Weight-Watchers, y servicio de guardería infantil. Este año, 256 participantes se inscribieron, superando los 169 el año pasado, quienes perdieron un total de 869 libras. Tres premios en dinero efectivo fueron otorgados en 2009 a los Perdedores Máximos pagado con dinero de los $10 colectados por cada participante inscrito. Ross, una Agente de Seguridad Escolar veterana de ocho años, quien ganó el Aplique Para Beca Escolástica Hoffa Las solicitudes para el Fondo Memorial Escolástico James R. Hoffa para el año académico 2010-2011 están listas en el Departamento de Educación del Local 237. El Fondo otorga becas anualmente a alumnos de distinción académica de escuela secundaria que sean hijos o nietos de Teamsters. Para cualificar, los solicitantes deben figurar en el 15º por ciento más alto de su clase, y entregar los resultados del SAT o ACT para ser evaluados y tener planes de estudios en una institución acreditada o universidad de 4 años. Por favor llame al Departamento de Educación al 212-807-0550 para pedir una solicitud. Al completarlas, las solicitudes deben ser devueltas al Local 237 para ser procesadas, por lo menos dos semanas antes de la fecha tope del Fondo de Becas, Marzo 31, 2010. # primer premio de $1,200 en la competición de Noviembre 2008-Junio 2009, hace largas caminatas con su grupo cada Sábado, recientemente en Marine Park en Brooklyn. Ella también les aconseja llevar cuenta de su nutrición, escogiendo alimentos sanos, y el tomar mucha agua. “Como un grupo, nos apoyamos el uno al otro,” dice Ross, añadiendo “se requiere una mente con determinación” para perder peso. “Nos enviamos mensajes de texto y hacemos llamadas para reunirnos para caminatas y para pesarnos.” El próximo mes, el programa está patrocinando una actividad titu- lada “Pues, Piensas que Tienes Talento Seguridad Escolar,” cuyo fin es recaudar fondos para el gran final de Los Perdedores Máximos en Marzo. Ya se han presentado 24 participantes para audiciones. “Hay mucho talento entre los de seguridad escolar,” dice Ortiz, quien espera que la actividad será algo como Noches en el Apolo, excepto que se llevará acabo en el Prospect Heights H.S. en Brooklyn a las 7 p.m., Enero 29. Para más información, visite School Safety’s Biggest Loser en su página web: SSDbiggestloser.web.officelive.com. Descuento en Declaración de Impuestos Los miembros del Local 237 pueden obtener servicios de preparación de sus declaraciones de impuesto en la sede del sindicato por United Union Tax por un honorario de solamente $20 si cualifican para el Crédito de Impuestos por Ingresos de Trabajo (Earned Income Tax Credit – EITC en inglés). Los miembros cuyos sueldos exceden los requisitos del EITC, indicados abajo, pagarán solamente $40 por la preparación básica de su declaración de impuestos, el cual incluye el formulario Federal, Estatal y de la Ciudad; Crédito de Impuestos por niños dependientes; Crédito Adicional de Impuestos por Niños (formulario 8812); Crédito de Impuesto por Guardería Infantil (formulario 2441); y Crédito Educacional (formulario 8863). Los honorarios deben ser pagados en efectivo el día de la preparación de su declaración de impuestos. Las buenas noticias para el año 2009 es que los créditos y descuentos por dependientes han aumentado. Si usted tiene tres o más niños, usted cualifica para un crédito de impuestos aun más grande (ya no hay límite de dos niños). El límite de crédito de impuestos para individuos sin niños también ha aumentado, así como el límite de ingresos. La lista que sigue indica las cantidades máximas aproximadas que usted puede ganar para cualificar para EITC. Las cantidades pueden cambiar en Enero 2010: Becas Escolásticas Unión Plus Miembros del sindicato, sus cónyuges e hijos dependientes que estudien en instituciones universitarios de dos o cuatro años, postgrado o escuelas técnicas reconocidas o de carrera especializada son elegibles para aplicar para Becas Escolásticas Unión Plus. Por favor visite unionPlus.org/Scholarship para información sobre elegibilidad y como aplicar. Las solicitudes deben haber sido entregadas Enero 30, 2010. Soltero(a) Casado(a) $43,281– 3 o más niños $40,295 – 2 niños $35,463 – 1 niño $13,440 – sin niños $41,646, declarando juntos – dos niños $36,995, declarando juntos – un niño $15,880, sin niños Para hacer una cita, llame a María Debraux en el Local 237 al 646-638-8610. B L TIO NA TE DECEMBER 2009 PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT NEW YORK, NY City _________________________State _______Zip______________ Address __________________________________________________ Name ____________________________________________________ To change your address, fill in the form below, cut it out, and mail it back to Newsline at the above address. Are you moving? DATED MATERIAL R THERHOO TEAMS T RO IN Local 237, IBT 216 w. 14 Street New York, NY 10011 S NA OF ER D R NEWSLINE FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU GREGORY FLOYD PRESIDENT RICHARD HENDERSHOT VICE PRESIDENT RUBEN TORRES SECRETARY-TREASURER NOREEN HOLLINGSWORTH PATRICIA STRYKER RECORDING SECRETARY TRUSTEE STEVEN GORDON EDMUND KANE TRUSTEE TRUSTEE
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