Public Employee Press

Local 372 wins back job for terminated Harlem School Aide

Sharon Jones, a School Aide at PS 161 in District 5, which covers upper Manhattan, had the tough responsibility of taking care of her seriously ill twin sister. Unfortunately, that often led to her being late or unable to show up for work.

While she always followed procedures and informed her supervisor, the Dept. of Education terminated her from her job on June 20, 2006. Jones, a member of Local 372, immediately contacted her union for assistance.

Grievance Rep Lorean Ellis quickly began the effort to get her job back by filing a grievance on her behalf.

Union attorneys demanded impartial arbitration on the case, but the union withdrew the request when the Dept. of Education agreed to reinstate Jones to her original job at PS 161 on Feb. 25. Management also agreed to give her $13,000 in back pay for the time she was off the payroll.

“She did not waste a minute in contacting the union and asking for assistance,” said Ellis. “So we were able to begin the battle to get her job back right away. When we work closely together like that, it strengthens the union’s case.”