I am happy to announce that payments on the EEO settlement are finally happening. We have had many discussions with the City on payout dates for both the retro pay on levels and damage payments of the $5.5 million.
At membership meetings, I announced that the level retro pay would be paid on December 13, 2019. The City remained uncommitted on the date for payment of the backpay damages, however. On December 5, I received a copy of an email sent to all agencies indicating that both payments, if you have direct deposit, would be issued on December 13, with separate annotations on the deposit. If you do not have direct deposit, you will receive a paper check that will be mailed Dec. 13 and should reach you before Dec. 23.
NYCHA payments will be issued Dec. 19 for members with direct deposit and paper checks mailed on that same date for those without.
We are still in discussions with NYCTA and expect to meet with them at the beginning of the new year.
Retirees and those no longer working for the City will receive paper checks through the mail. There are many rumors, misconceptions, and misinformation circulating throughout various City agencies and I cannot address all of them on this website. If you still have specific questions after reading this update, I encourage you to either send an email to your Staff Rep directly, or send an email to staffrepservices@cwa1180.org and someone will get back to you within 24-48 hours. You may also call the office at 212.226.6565 and ask to speak with your Staff Rep.
Payments will be different for each Admin Manager based on individual circumstances. Therefore, we cannot answer your individual questions on social media. That is why we are asking you to please call or email so your Staff Rep can respond to your individual questions.
If you believe you have been placed in the wrong level as an Administrative Manager per the language in the settlement, you will be able to take certain actions to possibly rectify your placement. You will need to contact your Staff Rep to determine if this applies to you. We are currently developing guidelines that will help you determine if you have a plausible case.
ANNUITY FUND
Local 1180 has received the Annuity Fund money from the settlement. We are waiting for the City to provide us with the names and dates of all Admin Managers who were on payroll between December 1, 2013, and December 31, 2018, as that determines the appropriation of funds per person.
If you are already in the Annuity Fund when we get the proper distribution list, money will be deposited into your account and a notice sent to you. If you are not currently in the Annuity Fund, you will receive paperwork regarding next steps to enroll.
This has been a long, but worthwhile struggle. Our EEO case was about pay parity. There were members, not all, being paid at a much lower rate than others doing the same job. While not every Administrative Manager will get everything in the settlement, every Administrative Manager and CWA Local 1180 member can now understand that their union is willing to stand up for what’s right ... and fair ... and equitable, even if we have to fight City Hall.
Thank you for your patience and your support. With this all but behind us, we move forward to the next battle.
#StrongerTogether!
Gloria Middleton, President
Week #1: Contract Update & EEO Case (Sept. 4)
Week #2: Equal Pay & Salary Ban (Sept. 11)
Week #3: Early Voting (Sept. 18)
Week #4: Cannabis in NYS (Sept. 25)
Week #5: A Woman's Right to Choose (Oct. 2)
Week #6: Census & Immigration (Oct. 9)
Week #7: Millenials & Politics (Oct. 16)
Week #8: Importance of Being Involved in a Union (Oct. 23)
The 2018 U.S. Supreme Court case of Janus v AFSCME was complicated, leaving many members wondering what it meant for them and their families. Local 1180 wanted to make sure everyone understood the implications regarding contracts, negotiations, grievances, benefits, promotions, and more. In addition to President Gloria Middleton, First Vice President Gina Strickland, and Secretary-Treasurer Robin Blair-Batte narrating videos, members themselves came forward to talk about issues that could have potential serious impacts on the general membership, and answered the question "What If We Did Not Have a Labor Union"?
New York State's question to voters in the November 2017 general election was "Shall there be a convention to revise the Constitution and amend the same"? While a seemingly harmless question, most New Yorkers unaware that the outcome could have had far-reaching and devastating effects for decades. Opening up the constitution to haphazard changes is like opening a Pandora's box. Local 1180 lead the way in original outreach materials to make sure New Yorkers knew all the details about a Constitutional Convention. Our ConCon campaign even won first place.
"I'm Sticking With MY Union" became the theme of the year after the Janus v AFSCME case ruled against labor. Local 1180 members didn't care and they were proud to spread the word. Almost 200 members stepped up to display their union pride in a series of photos that were broadcast on the Union's social media pages.
In an effort to further personalize Local 1180's outreach via a direct member-to-member campaign, nine of Local 1180's activist members offered their skills and talent to record videos and provide quotes that were formulated into an ongoing communications campaign. Videos were utilized on social media platforms, at membership meetings, and at site visits, all in an effort to mobilize and organize the troops to become more involved.