Accused of Abusing Position
HA Union Leader Claims Retaliation

By MICHELLE FRIEDMAN

The Housing Authority April 16 filed disciplinary charges against Mitchell F. Feder, chapter president of Civil Service Technical Guild Local 375's HA division, for alleged misuse of city equipment. Mr. Feder, an outspoken dissident within his local and a critic of HA management, claims the charges are bogus and an attempt to quiet his opposition.

MITCH FEDER: HA trumped up charges.

"They are charging me with incompetency or misconduct," he noted during a phone interview that afternoon." It's like a Chinese take-out menu, pick one or choose the other. They're just looking for whatever sticks. Neither my assistant director nor my deputy director ever came to me, or to anyone as far as I know, to indicate that I was underperforming or not doing my job correctly. I believe this is a direct hit on my union position."

'My Right As Union Rep'

He asserted that HA officials were trying to get him on charges that he used a city-issued phone to conduct union business and send e-mails. "I have used my phone during the day to reply to union phone calls and e-mails, and I believe it is my right as their union representative to do so," Mr. Feder said. "I have never been officially informed in writing that I was in violation of any regulation by using my phone to conduct union business."

He claimed that this was not the first time he has been unjustly accused by management. When forced to transfer into the HA's Office of Business and Revenue Development (OBRD) in February 2007, he was denied a phone with voicemail that he requested. "If I'm not in my office, I won't know if my members call," Mr. Feder said. "This is a direct effort to curtail my ability to communicate with members."

He has two pending improper practice charges against the HA and an out-of-title grievance, which claims that his job assignment does not meet the description laid out by his title.

It is the policy of the New York City Housing Authority never to comment on pending disciplinary actions concerning employees, a spokesman said.

"They want me out because I am outspoken against them and I stand up for employees rights. I point out what they are doing wrong," Mr. Feder said. "I have embarrassed the Housing Authority and shown them to be wrong. I have been vocal on a number of issues. I am very outspoken about the monetary waste of the Housing Authority and my opposition to the Construction Man Build Program where they are outsourcing jobs the professional Technical Guild could do for half the cost."

Mr. Feder pointed to a recent instance in which the HA laid off 10 workers. "Between 70 and 80 workers from rank-and-file to high-profile jobs voluntarily left their jobs from January 2007 to now. If you already lost 50 to 60 members, why do you need to eliminate another 10 more?"

He claims that HA officials have contradicted themselves numerous times regarding their knowledge of his involvement with the union, which is part of District Council 37.