Public Employee Press
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Local 1501
Union gets two suspensions rescinded
Wildlife Conservation Society management at Brooklyn’s Coney Island Aquarium and Prospect Park Zoo agreed to rescind two suspensions after the union interceded on behalf of its members.
Management suspended Local 1501 member Peter Morales, penalizing the Prospect Park Zoo Maintainer a day’s pay for not being on his post Sept. 29, 2017. Morales, a five-year employee who works third shift, believed his suspension was unwarranted. So, he called the union.
“One of the scanners that the Wildlife Conservation Society staff uses to check in during rounds was broken,” said White Collar Division Council Rep Norlita De Taza. She exposed the snafu and worked to convince managers to reconsider their punitive decision.
In December, managers rescinded the suspension and gave Morales a written reprimand instead.
“The union and the manager agreed that a written reprimand is corrective rather than punitive and shows compassion,” De Taza said, “especially in this case where technology, and not human error on Mr. Morales’ part, caused the problem.”
“I would have lost a day’s pay if not for my union,” Morales said. “All I wanted is a fair shake and to have my rights protected. The union made sure I got that.”
Last August, a Coney Island Aquarium manager ordered Local 1501 Maintainer Richard Jarvis to patrol the outer perimeter of the seaside facility.
Jarvis, who has worked at the aquarium for five years, believed the demand went beyond his job specifications. When he informed the manager, Jarvis was suspended for one day without pay.
“In both cases the union was able to mediate and de-escalate situations that could have adverse consequences for these two members and cost them much-needed income,” said Sanders. “We worked out resolutions that are acceptable to management and labor on these members’ behalf.”
“The union is always prepared to protect its members and insist on the right to hear both sides of the issue to resolve matters fairly,” Sanders said.
