DC 37 BLOG

• MELS Housing Discrimination Webinar Now Online April 15, 2021
   By DIANE S. WILLIAMS Hundreds of DC 37 members joined the MELS Housing Discrimination webinar April 14.  DC 37 housing experts, along with Human Rights Specialist Gui Yang from the NYC Human Rights Commission and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, shared advice on how to fight housing discrimination. A recording of the event is now available online: www.bit.ly/3e1aFGR […]
• NEWS, UPCOMING EVENTS and SERVICES April 13, 2021
  COVID-19 VACCINES LET DC 37 BOOK YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE APPOINTMENTS: DC 37 can help you book your COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Please fill out this form and a DC 37 representative will call you to book your appointment. What you need to know: * To confirm eligibility, you can check nyc.gov/covidvaccinedistribution. * Proof of eligibility required: […]
• DC 37 Endorsements for the June 22 Primary April 13, 2021
  After a long process involving extensive candidate interviews and virtual forums for key positions, such as for NYC Mayor and Comptroller, with participation and input from DC 37 members, the union has decided to endorse the following candidates for the upcoming June 22 prirmary. The Following Candidates are Endorsed by DC 37 Eric Adams – MayorCorey Johnson – NYC ComptrollerJumaane Williams – Public AdvocateMark Levine – Manhattan […]
• FEMA COVID-19 Burial Aid Program Begins April 12 April 12, 2021
  By DIANE S. WILLIAMS The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released its policy for the program and the application program for relief is expected to start on April 12.  The maximum amount of financial aid available is $9,000 per funeral. Those applicants with multiple deceased individuals can receive up to a maximum of $35,500 […]
• Paramedics Make In-flight Rescue April 9, 2021
  NONSTOP HEROES: Three New York City first responders, Local 2507 FDNY Paramedic and mental health counselor Andria Connell, President and FDNY EMT Oren Barzilay, and Local 3621 FDNY Lieutenant Krystal Hayes at Los Angeles International Airport after their midflight rescue of a Jet Blue passenger. By DIANE S. WILLIAMS Three New York City Emergency Medical […]
• Cultural Institution Employees $ave with MELS Legal Benefit April 9, 2021
  By DIANE S. WILLIAMS Dozens more DC 37 members who work at NYC’s cultural institutions are using MELS since union representatives on the Trust for Cultural Resources negotiated to restore the benefit in 2020.  “Tops on our agenda was to restore the legal benefit to our 3,000 members and retirees. MELS is something you don’t […]
• Pandemic Heroes Deserve an ERI April 6, 2021
  After several months of intense negotiations last year, our union and others in the Central Labor Council worked out a temporary no-layoff agreement with Mayor de Blasio that prevented the layoffs of 22,000 public workers. DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido We stood firm in our position that the City no longer could balance its […]
• JOIN the VIRTUAL RALLY on TUESDAY, APRIL 6 at 12 NOON UPDATE: Event Postponed. New Date Soon April 5, 2021
  Because of the New York State Budget negotiations, tomorrow’s rally is postponed. We will inform you of a new date when the rally is rescheduled. Join DC 37 and a growing coalition of groups from across New York as we call on Albany to pass the New York Public Banking Act (S1762A/A5782) which will create […]
• Early Retirement Incentive Battle Begins in Albany March 31, 2021
  By MIKE LEE DC 37 and other New York City unions are engaged in lobbying the state legislature for temporary Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) legislation that would allow the City’s long-serving public workers in certain tiers the option to retire early without a reduction in their benefits. The bill is an important part of the […]
• DC 37 Workers #GetVaccinated at Citi Field Event March 29, 2021
  By MIKE LEE The early spring weather was sunny, appropriate for the occasion as hundreds of DC 37 members joined other New Yorkers to get the COVID-19 vaccine at a “Vaccination Day” event held at Citi Field, in Flushing Meadows, Queens. The event, heavily promoted by the union in social media and on www.dc37.net drew more than […]
• APRIL NEWS and UPCOMING EVENTS March 29, 2021
  NEWS, UPCOMING EVENTS and SERVICES COVID-19 VACCINES LET DC 37 BOOK YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE APPOINTMENTS: DC 37 can help you book your COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Please fill out this form and a DC 37 representative will call you to book your appointment. What you need to know: * To confirm eligibility, you can check nyc.gov/covidvaccinedistribution. * Proof of eligibility required: […]
• Union Backs Eric Adams for NYC Mayor at Queens Press Conference March 24, 2021
  By MIKE LEE District Council 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido announced today that the City’s largest municipal labor union is endorsing Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams for Mayor of New York City. Endorsing the Brooklyn Borough President at a morning press conference held at Roy Wilkins Park in Jamaica, Queens, Garrido said the endorsement is […]
• WATCH DC 37 on the FACEBOOK LIVE COVID VACCINE WEBINAR with Q&A March 23, 2021
  On March 25, District Council 37, AFSCME Executive Director Henry Garrido, 32BJ SEIU President Kyle Bragg, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Deputy Commissioner Dr. Torian Easterling and AdvantageCare Physicians President & Chief Medical Officer Dr. Navarra Rodriguez discussed the COVID-19 vaccine. They answered questions from DC 37 and 32BJ SEIU members, and shared […]
• SPECIAL ELECTION, MARCH 23 March 22, 2021
  HELP GET OUT THE VOTE: We are continuing our efforts to make sure DC 37 members have a strong voice on the New York City Council and we really need your help! Our city is facing challenging times and an overwhelming budget deficit. We need allies we can count on in the Council fighting for […]
• DC 37 VACCINATION DAY MARCH 27 at CITI FIELD March 22, 2021
  Dear DC 37 Member,   I am writing with some very important and exciting news: public-facing government and nonprofit workers are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine, which is free of charge, is also available to New Yorkers over 60 and anyone with a qualifying health condition. As a DC 37 member, […]
• DC 37 Remembers Irish-American Contributions to the Labor Movement March 22, 2021
  By MIKE LEE Although there are no public events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the union honors our Irish American sisters and brothers as we celebrate the contributions of the Irish people to our shared history and culture.  Most importantly, DC 37 recognizes the valued and impactful role Irish Americans have had building the American […]
• MELS HOUSING WEBINAR TONIGHT MARCH 16, at 5:30 to 7 PM March 16, 2021
  Learn how NYC Rent Freeze Programs will affect you. MELS housing experts and lawyers will explain rent law changes and programs such as Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption, Disability Rent Increase Exemption, the online application process, updates for NYC Tenants COVID-19 Eviction Restrictions, filing a Tenant Declaration, and more. Register at www.dc37mels.com to get a Meeting ID by […]
• We Fought Against Layoffs & We Won! March 16, 2021
  Dear Members, As you’ve likely seen in the press, I’m writing with good news. Last week, Congress passed the American Rescue Act and President Biden signed it into law. This legislation delivers for the American people in many ways, but it touches our union most by delivering financial aid to local governments. This past year, […]
• NYC COVID-19 MEMORIAL MARCH 14 March 11, 2021
  The City requests names and photographs of the people we lost for an official remembrance marking the first anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dear Sisters and Brothers,  In New York City, we will soon reach a solemn milestone – last year, the first known COVID-19 death in our city was confirmed on March 14. We’ve […]
• WORKWELL NYC Wellness Programs March 10, 2021
  WorkWell NYC has programs to help you reboot your career, cook meals, dance your way fit and more to reach your wellness goals this Spring! Virtual Cooking Demos: Join the series of 5 virtual cooking demonstrations featuring healthy, easy recipes, starring fresh and flavorful fruits and vegetables as the main ingredients. Participants can cook along or […]