DC 37 BLOG

• Despite Pandemic, Union Members Votes, Wins New Contract June 4, 2020
  By MIKE LEE While COVID-19 raged throughout New York City, the union continued its vital mission in serving the members. An example was the successful negotiation by the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Department with the ADAPT Community Network in April, which includes members of the union’s Social Service Employees Local 215. After a series […]
• June is Caribbean Heritage Month June 3, 2020
  By CARMEN CHARLES, President Local 420 and FITZ REID, President, Local 768 Dear Brothers and Sisters:​ Even as our members, including essential workers, continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, we rise together to address in earnest longstanding problems that plague our society: racism, police violence and excessive force, the criminal justice system and poverty. We must work […]
• Surviving Coronavirus: A Home Health Care Aide’s Story June 3, 2020
  By MIKE LEE Evelyn Grant, a home health care aide with 31 years experience and a member of Local 389, faced a crisis that too many New Yorkers have endured since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the city hard beginning in late February. Home health care aides provide all necessary services for clients unable to perform […]
• Local 389: Home Care Aides on the Frontlines June 2, 2020
  By MIKE LEE Margaret Glover prays.  The president of Local 389, which represents 7,000 private sector home health care aides, worries about the clients she cares for, and her co-workers. “Oh my God, I don’t know how I feel. Some days are good for me and then some are bad,” Glover said. Home health care […]
• Elect DC 37 Endorsed Candidates on Primary Day June 23 June 1, 2020
  By DIANE S. WILLIAMS New York’s Primary Day is June 23 and we need your help to elect progressive, labor-friendly candidates. This election is proving to be extremely important as our federal and state governments grapple with growing budget deficits. There is power in our collective voice and this primary day we need to send […]
• This Should Never Have Happened June 1, 2020
  We often quote the legendary labor leader Mother Jones. In these days, “Mourn the dead, and fight for the living” resonates clearly like never before as collectively we rise to do battle in the time of COVID-19. In human terms, this battle is painfully costly. As of now, we have lost more than 100 of […]
• MELS UPDATE: Replacing Lost Income, Short Term Disability, Public Assistance, Food Stamps, Workers’ Comp and Unemployment Insurance   May 29, 2020
  DC 37 Municipal Employees Legal Services, MELS, provides information on benefits members can access to replace lost income due to the coronavirus pandemic. DC 37 HEALTH AND SECURITY PLAN SHORT TERM DISABILITY Members who are unable to continue working because of illness or disability may be eligible for short term disability, public assistance and food […]
• ‘Public Service Workers Are … Crucial to Fighting This Pandemic’ May 26, 2020
  By AFSCME Staff Editor’s Note: The following is a story from the front lines of the battle against the coronavirus. During National EMS Week, AFSCME featured the story of AFSCME Local 768 District Council 37 member Carmen De Leon from New York. De Leon was one of two AFSCME members who, in a press call last week, described […]
• PSU Offers Grief and Bereavement Counseling May 21, 2020
  During COVID-19, people are experiencing many losses, including the death of loved ones, the loss of health, freedoms, and routines. Many are experiencing cumulative grief due to so many losses occurring consecutively. Any of these losses can trigger a range of emotions that individuals may experience. These emotions are also referred to as The Stages […]
• Request an Absentee Ballot for Primary Day June 23 May 20, 2020
  As you may have heard, Governor Cuomo has made a series of changes that will impact this year’s primary elections.    In an executive order, he has cancelled the special elections for Queens Borough President, and the 31st Assembly District. The Governor has mandated, through executive order, that the state Board of Elections mail all […]
• North Central Bronx Hospital: An Impromptu Elevator Musical Performance May 19, 2020
  By DAVID GREENE, Norwood News As mega performers like Elton John, Billy Joel and Beyonce remain sidelined during the coronavirus pandemic due to the closure of most concert halls around the world, the sound of song and yes, even some laughter, have continued to fill the halls, rooms and even the elevators at North Central […]
• Debts and the Deceased May 18, 2020
  The DC 37 Muncipal Employees Legal Services (MELS) answers your questions about the debts of deceased loved ones, especially during this coronavirus pandemic.  Am I responsible for paying off the debts of a deceased relative?  Generally, the answer is, no. Responsibility for a deceased relative’s outstanding obligation is not automatically transferred to a surviving relative.  […]
• MELS UPDATE: COVID-19 Eviction Protection and Rent Hardship May 12, 2020
  DC 37’s Municipal Employees Legal Services (MELS) is here to help members with housing and rent hardship needs. Although New York City remains on pause through at least May 15, 2020 and Courthouses remain closed, the Office of Court Administration is accepting emergency applications where there has been an eviction, illegal lockout, interruption in essential […]
• Is NOW the Right Time to Refinance? MEHP Can Help May 11, 2020
  The DC 37 Municipal Employees Housing Program staff and its mortgage consultants can help you make an informed decision. Mortgage interest rates can change almost daily, and significant swings can occur from one day to the next. And particularly in our geographic area, where homes are heavily financed, even small changes in interest rates can […]
• Spring 2020 DC 37 Education Fund Free Training and Benefits May 7, 2020
  Tuition Reimbursement: As DC 37 resumes its Tuition Reimbursement program, we thank you for bearing with us as we streamline the application process. There may be longer than usual processing time required. Thank you for your patience. Members should continue to mail in their completed reimbursement applications and supporting documents to: DC 37 Education Fund […]
• Cuomo Offers No Cost Child Care Scholarships for Essential Workers During COVID-19 May 5, 2020
  By DIANE S. WILLIAMS Governor Cuomo announced that a portion of federal Coronavirus Aid will be used to provide child care scholarships to income eligible essential workers at no cost.  The Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the CARES Act, provided New York with $163.6 million in emergency relief to the child care […]
• Subway Shutdown Starts May 6, Here’s How to Get Around May 4, 2020
  Starting Wednesday May 6, there is no MTA subway service from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. DC 37 members who are Essential Workers and work the overnight shift can arrange transportation alternatives using the MTA Essential Connector here: https://new.mta.info/coronavirus/overnight   Subway service ends between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. every day to allow for deep […]
• PSU Help for Victims of Domestic Violence April 28, 2020
  Domestic Violence. As you have seen on the news, as a result of COVID-19 and being advised to stay in our homes, there is a genuine public concern about a rise in domestic violence.  The Personal Service Unit (PSU) of DC37’s Health and Security Plan would like to provide the following information and resources to […]
• Schools Shut Down, But Construction Work Continues April 24, 2020
  By DIANE S. WILLIAMS Building Code Inspector Lorraine Barcant’s job is to keep school buildings safe for the city’s 1.1 million school children and the teachers and support staff that feed, educate and protect them. She visits dozens of school construction sites a month to make sure workers are safe and projects are up to […]
• LCLAA Honors DC 37 Staffer For Activism April 22, 2020
  By DIANE WILLIAMS At the annual Somos conference’s LCLAA Awards breakfast in Albany March 7 weekend, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement bestowed top honors on DC 37 Legislative Aide Orlando Rivera Jr. for his activism in New York City’s Latino community. LCLAA’s 18-member board voted unanimously to recognize Rivera’s outstanding work in the DC […]