April 23, 2015
Jeanette Page-Hawkins, Acting Director
Essex County Division of Welfare
18 Rector Street, Floor 9
Newark, NJ, 07102
Re: Step II Contractual Grievance
Ill-Advised Plan to Transfer WSCSC EA Units to TRO
Article I. Purpose
Article IV. Work Schedules & Overtime
Article VII. Discipline
Article XXV. Non-Discrimination
Dear Ms. Page-Hawkins:
CWA Local 1081 submits this Step II Class Action Contractual Grievance on behalf of all of Union’s members whom may well be adversely affected by your purported plan to transfer the Westside Citizen Services Center’s two Emergency Assistance units to The Riverview Office in early May 2015:
- As you may be aware, The Riverview Office services Newark and Irvington clients receiving General Assistance (welfare benefits for adults with no children) and/or food stamps.
- Our Union, harboring an opinion held as well by all past agency management, has always retained the responsible position that the agency combining General Assistance clientele with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families clientele (welfare benefits for one or more adults with children) within the same office is a potentially problematic, and even perilous, prescription.
- The Riverview Office has only twelve Family Service Workers.
The resolution CWA Local 1081 respectfully demands to this grievance consists of the Westside office’s Emergency Assistance units being transferred in a fashion that will best serve the applicable clients and our members alike.
We seek a hearing in this regard.
Sincerely,
David H. Weiner, President
CWA Local 1081