Hattie's Back

MINEOLA, NEW YORK

Public Employee readers may remember Hattie Hartgrove. She is the former employee of the Nassau County (N.Y.) General Services Department who was laid off her job after eight years of service — only to be placed in that same position through a workfare program. But as a workfare worker, she did not enjoy any of the benefits guaranteed by her union contract.

After a year of hard work, however, the Civil Service Employees Association/AFSCME Local 1000, has won Hartgrove her job back, complete with union membership and benefits.