CWA 1180 - HRA Watch

HRA Watch

AJOS court victory: Momentum to stop implementation builds
May 2001

On Friday, May 18, Local 1180 won another round in its battle to stop HRA's effort to establish the ill-advised new JOS title series. The Supreme Court of the State of New York issued a temporary restraining order barring HRA from proceeding with implementation of the new title until a hearing is held to consider the union's motion for a preliminary injunction against HRA. This legal victory adds to the momentum 1180 members have generated on the shop floor through their refusal to sign up for the new title.

The key to defeating HRA's plan to implement the JOS titles is our efforts in the job centers themselves. But the union has also pursued other avenues of resistance to bolster the efforts of members' fightback. Specifically, Local 1180 filed for arbitration, challenging the city's position on the jurisdictional issues involved; following Appendix C of our contract with the city, our position is that the duties of the new AJOS position are substantially the same as PAA duties and that the work therefore belongs under 1180 jurisdiction. In addition to filing the arbitration case, the union also went to court to try to enjoin the city and HRA from moving ahead with implementation of their scheme before the arbitration case was settled. The first step in that effort was the temporary restraining order issued on Friday. The city immediately appealed the temporary restraining order, and that appeal stays the order, that is, lifts the restriction on implementation. The next step in the legal battle is a hearing June 6 to discuss the union's motion for a preliminary injunction.

Because the temporary restraining order was quickly stayed by the city's appeal, the victory it represents is largely a symbolic one. Actual implementation of the JOS titles was restrained for less than a full day. But we should not underestimate the importance of that symbolic victory. It is a significant milestone in our effort to defeat HRA's ill-conceived plan. We should treat it as an encouragement to keep up and redouble our efforts to stand firm in our refusal to take the new title—because it is that refusal that will ultimately defeat the plan.

The bottom line is that HRA cannot run the job centers without our experience and expertise. if we stand fast, they will have no choice but to abandon the whole JOS idea.

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