CWA 1180 - HRA Watch

HRA Watch

1180 and Proud!
1180 Plans to Sweep AJOS Election April 4, Hundreds of Members at Stake
March 2005

Hundreds of Associate Job Opportunity Specialists (AJOS) in the City’s Human Resources Administration will soon be voting to choose a union to represent them. Since the creation of the AJOS title in 2000, CWA 1180 and two other unions from DC 37, AFSCME, SSEU Local 371 and Local 1549, have represented AJOS workers. This election will determine if CWA 1180 or SSEU 371 will have the right to represent all AJOS workers. The voting will be by mail and ballots will be posted by March 4. They must be returned before March 25, and they will be counted on April 4 and a winner will be named.

CWA 1180 representatives are hopeful AJOS employees will choose it as their union as 1180 has far greater experience representing clerical workers (AJOS work is largely clerical) and has an extensive benefits package.

At stake are the futures of some 200 current CWA 1180 members and some 600 more AJOS workers currently represented by the other two unions or no union at all. The vote rests largely on high voter participation by the current 1180 members and the vote of Local 1549 members, who must choose a new union to represent them.

“The bottom line is AJOS work is work done historically by PAAs, who are 1180 members,” says CWA 1180 Staff Representative Joseph Calderon. “And we believe the AJOS workers will be best served by our union.”

CWA 1180 leaders, including Calderon, are working overtime to educate AJOS workers about the election and the benefits of voting 1180 by visiting the many HRA worksites where AJOS workers are employed and providing information via phone to AJOS employees. Any person, whether an 1180 member or not, may call the 1180 office -- 212-226-6565 -- and say the keyword “AJOS” to the receptionist and an 1180 rep will discuss the election and address questions with that person.

It has been five years since HRA created the AJOS title -- against the will of its employees and their unions -- and HRA employees were all haphazardly thrown together in the ill-defined titles. What has ensued is increased workload, blurred boundaries between job titles, HRA threats, unfulfilled promises of pay raises and workers trapped in HRA under the AJOS title, as the title is not found in any other city agency.

If elected to represent AJOS workers, CWA 1180 is committed, as it has demonstrated over the past five years, to fight for respect, fair salaries and compensation, balanced workloads, clearly defined job duties, and the extension of 1180’s benefits to all AJOS workers from the moment 1180 is elected on April 4.

The local has five years of experience fighting for the rights of AJOS workers and decades of experience representing members in the clerical line of work. To view the history of 1180’s struggle on behalf of AJOS workers, visit the HRAWatch page.

CWA 1180 members, AJOS and non-AJOS, are encouraged to talk to those who are eligible to vote in the election and share the benefits of 1180 membership. AJOS 1180 members, in particular, will play a decisive role in this election, as their experience with the Local will help persuade Local 1549 members and non-represented AJOS workers to join 1180.

AJOS Workers
Vote CWA 1180 by March 25
The Choice is Clear

What do non-AJOS 1180 Members Say About Voting 1180? PAA II, Sandra Campbell: “The AJOS workers should vote 1180 because 1180 is used to the rigor and the tediousness associated with these jobs, and I have seen 1180 do justice for all three levels of PAAs for a long time.”

What do 1180 AJOS Members Say About Voting 1180? AJOS, CWA 1180, Brian Henry: “I’m going to vote 1180 mostly because I like our medical plan the best. The representatives also really look out for our best interests. I’ve been to a lot of union meetings, and they always see if you have concerns and do their best to take care of them.”

What do 1180 AJOS Members Say About Voting 1180? AJOS, CWA 1180, JoAnn Blackett: “I’m voting 1180 in the AJOS election because I’ve been a satisfied member of 1180 since 1984. I was also a 371 member briefly and was not satisfied with their benefits, especially their health plan. 1180 has more to offer and will back you up in any situation that comes up on the job. They’re always there for you. They’re always just a phone call away. They will be able to bring our salaries up and they will be able to negotiate to bring AJOS above PAA II title.”

What do non-1180 AJOS Workers Say About Voting 1180? AJOS, 1549 member, Shirley Guerrant: “I am definitely leaning towards voting 1180. They have more to offer in terms of medical benefits with the eyeglasses and the paying out-of-pocket medical expenses. I’ve also talked to other workers who are 1549 members, and they’re voting 1180 for the same reasons I am.”

Election Schedule

Friday, March 4 – Ballots mailed to AJOS workers
Monday, March 21 – Deadline for all AJOS workers to receive a ballot via mail from the Office of Collective Bargaining; if you have not received a ballot by this date, contact 212-306-7160
Friday, March 25 – Deadline for returning mail-in ballots
Monday, April 4 – Results will be tallied

Why Vote 1180?

If you’re an 1180 member in the AJOS title, you should vote because the election will be close and your vote counts a lot towards our victory. You should also vote 1180 because you know better than anyone that 1180 is committed to fighting for your rights and providing you with the benefits you deserve. If these are benefits you want to keep, vote!

If you’re not an 1180 member in the AJOS title, you should vote 1180 because of our long history representing workers doing this work, because of our excellent benefits and because we are a political and independent union that fights tirelessly for our members. No one will lose pay! We will fight for a fair salary range to get those of you who are currently salaried below that range bumped up (paid more) to the new salary range and those of you who are making above that range will keep the same salary.

CWA 1180: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

CWA 1180 Medical Benefits

General medical reimbursement: $150 per calendar year
Dental coverage
Prescription drug benefit: $2 co-pay on generic; 20% co-pay on brand name; no co-pay on mail-order
Optical benefits: up to $100 per pair of prescription glasses, one pair a year
Mental health reimbursement: up to $300 a year
Hearing aid reimbursement
Home health care

CWA 1180 Annuity

A tax-deferred benefit of $522 annually completely paid for with employer contributions. Since its inception in 2000, despite a poor investment climate, the annuity fund has had a positive return each year

CWA 1180 Committees

Education Committee
Political Action Committee
Women’s Committee
Community Services Committee
Equity Committee
Hispanic Committee
Committee on People with Disabilities
Health and Safety Committee
Committee on Arts, Events & Entertainment

CWA 1180 Education Benefits

Workplace Literacy Program: free education program that provides workplace based skills
Free prep course for promotional exams
Our own computer labs
Urban Leadership Program: specially designed for 1180 members who wish to earn their BA or MA through Queens College
College tuition assistance
Textbook reimbursement

ONLINE INFORMATION:
For information about CWA 1180, Benefits and Education:
www.cwa1180.org/benefits/benefits.shtml.

NEED MORE INFO? If you have questions about CWA 1180 or the election, please talk to the 1180 shop steward at your job site or call our union office at 212-226-6565 and say the keyword “AJOS” to the receptionist. You will be directed to an 1180 representative.

HAVE YOU TALKED TO YOUR CO-WORKERS ABOUT VOTING FOR1180 IN THE AJOS ELECTION? DO IT NOW! DO IT TODAY! ONE VOTE COULD MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.

The Clear Choice:
AJOS workers, vote 1180 before March 25

Back to HRA Watch Page

Back to News & Views Page