Debra Leach says, “I love being a crossing guard, it’s a job about caring.” Ms. Leach has been a crossing guard for five years. “The kids I cross every day, they are my babies. It’s just like being their mother, while their mother is away. You see to it that they get to school safely and on time. You see to it that they act right, showing respect, and saying good morning. You see to it that they’re properly dressed. I ask, ‘Baby, where are your gloves?’ The child says, ‘I forgot them.’ I tell them make sure you remember tomorrow and the next day, he’ll say, ‘See, look, I got my gloves!’ I tell some of the older kids, pull those pants up. I say watch, your mouth. That’s not right. They say, ‘I’m sorry, excuse me.’ Because I’m the lady that doesn’t allow them to come on my corner and curse.
Some of the hard things about the job are when people don’t want you to cross them. You also get road rage from drivers. Sometimes cars won’t stop. They also block the crosswalk (see picture at right). Some of them will curse, I’ll tell them have a blessed day. Still, I enjoy my job and that’s why I’m out there.
I’m going to school at night to get my GED so I can go on to continue my education in social work. I would like to work more with children. Anyone that hasn’t completed school, go back to school and get your education. It takes a while to get the cobwebs out, but once they’re gone, there is no stopping you. Be encouraged, you can do anything you want to do if you set your mind to it!”
I participate in our union because I feel that’s how you make a difference. I also want to be able to have input on issues. I want to learn more about labor, share that knowledge with the members, and give them good service. I became a shop steward because I like to make things better for people. I’m also an Executive Board Member. I’m a helping person by nature. It makes my day to make things better for someone. As a shop steward, I advocate on behalf of my fellow workers to management for what they need. I’ve also worked on back pay issues for members. I like winning those cases because it puts money in their pockets.
Being a loader & handler gives you the opportunity to meet a lot of members in various titles, from the cooks to the school aides. We travel throughout the boroughs delivering supplies to schools, so we meet Local 372 members. The job hours are nice too. You start work by 6 a.m. and you’re out by 2 p.m., in early and out early. You have your whole day to yourself after you work. Also it’s a great physical job that keeps you exercised. You’re always lifting heavy stuff like boxes and even refrigerators. I’m really proud that Local 372 was able to get legislation passed that was able to bring back the 55/25 early retirement program to the loaders & handlers because this job can take a toll on your body.
A hard part about our job is that we work in all kinds of weather like snow, sleet, rain and hot temperatures. When it’s hot it is sometimes almost unbearable lifting heavy equipment with the sun beaming down on you. In the snow and rain, you have to be careful not to slip when you’re carrying merchandise. It’s a very manual job. We constantly go up and down stairs since a lot of buildings are not modernized.
I encourage members to get involved. The union is them — the members. The more participation, the more strength we have.
Members have to come out and make a difference.
“I take care of them as though they were my own,” says Mabel Blandino, a school aide at P.S. 130.
She works with kindergartners to fifth graders. In talking to school aides, they all had a common drive, to take care of the children. In fact, Local 372’s motto is “Our Job is Kids.” Ms. Blandino says, “Our job is to take care of the children. I take care of kids in the lunch room and the yard. They say, ‘Miss Mabel, please button my coat. Help me tie my shoes! Can you open this for me?’ The younger kids really need your help. My grandchildren are in the school where I work, so some of the little kids call me grandma because they hear them. When other children call me grandma, that feels so good.”
I was 66 years old and in retirement but I wanted to work. This job keeps me on the move. I lift boxes, crates of milk, and I try to be as much assistance to the ladies in the kitchen in terms of moving heavy items. I like to be of help. I’m also a shop steward. My job consists of taking supply orders & stocking items, cleaning floors, cleaning pots & pans, and keeping the refrigerator clean. I don’t interact that much with the children because I’m in the kitchen, not the cafeteria. In the kitchen, we get along well. Each person brings something different to the table, it’s a good atmosphere. I enjoy going to work.
I would like to see people participate more in the union. It’s important. I want to see more people come to the meetings. Come out and support our local. You can choose what you want to do. You can get a chance to meet your legislators and ask them what they are doing for us.