Public Employee Press

Grievance settlement saves job and pension

Local 1549 helped a member facing loss of a job retire in dignity in an outstanding example of union teamwork.

What a difference a day can make. On the morning of Aug. 10, Jacqueline Furno was facing a possible termination, with loss of benefits, including even her hard-earned pension.

After 24 years of service at the Human Resources Administration, the Local 1549 member suffered a series of devastating setbacks. She had two heart attacks, then a fire wiped out most of her worldly possessions and left her with no place to live. Tethered to an oxygen tank, Furno lost sight of her job. Summoned for a disciplinary hearing by HRA management, she didn’t make it.

Finally, on Aug. 10, at a hearing under Section 75 of the Civil Service Law, the union and management reached an agreement that turned things around. “We pulled a rabbit out of a hat for this member,” said Clerical Division Grievance Rep Pilar Oquendo. With obstructive lung disease, she couldn’t go back to work. The settlement let Furno retire in dignity Aug. 15 with her pension intact.

“She’s a beautiful lady, but she’s been through a lot,” said Oquendo. “This really shows that, even though you might think you’re at the end of your rope, you should turn to your union.”

Now Furno’s life has turned around, and she is enjoying the retirement benefits she earned. She recently moved to Georgia and got married. “If it wasn’t for Pilar and my union, I would have let it all go,” she said. “The union made everything so easy. It was miraculous. I am so happy!”

A union team worked together to rescue Furno from the dire situation she faced. The group included Oquendo, Local 1549 attorney Martin Druyan, and Ron Arnero, assistant clerical division director. “This was an example of outstanding teamwork,” said Arnero.