This holiday season, Brother Miguel Villa will have some extra cash in his bank account. For five years Villa has been working out of class, but never received proper compensation for the work he put in on the job. Villa’s department kept him working out of class for five years in violation of Local 199’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). That was until he decided “enough is enough” and decided to work with his union to do something about it.
In 2009, Villa was told by his boss at the time that due to cuts that he would be assigned the responsibility of supervising the Permit Section at the Department of Public Works. He was told that this would help save jobs. Prior to the switch, Villa was a Public Works Project Inspector, overseeing the implementation of construction projects in the field. But with the new job shift mandated by management, he was moved over to the Permit Section to supervise the intake, routing, and review of construction plans contractors submit in order receive permits from the department. It was an entirely different set of responsibilities. In fact, it was a different job altogether.
At the time he was moved, Villa understood that jobs were at stake and took on the responsibilities, all the while making clear his objections to the new scope of his job. He nevertheless adapted to the new administrative work he was required to do in the Permit Section. While performing above and beyond the call of duty, his steady protest of his status was unable to move management to do the right thing and restore him back to his previous classification. There was also no prospect for a promotion in sight. After five years, Villa realized that no one was looking out for his best interest.
When he learned that management was planning on changing processes that would increase his out of class workload even more, Villa took a look at his union’s contract with the County, and called on Local 199. Working together with Local 199 Staff Rep CeeCee Brown, Villa filed a grievance and won. In the next few weeks, he will receive five years of retroactive pay.
“It’s nice to know that you have someone that will listen to you and help you - someone that knows what you’re going through,” he said. “[Your union] will definitely have you back.”
Compelling employees to work out of class is a violation on our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Know your rights on the job. Click here to review Local 199’s CBA with Miami-Dade County.
