DC 37 BLOG

• Two MELS Webinars on Taxes, Divorce Now Online February 23, 2021
  By DIANE S. WILLIAMS More than 800 DC 37 members watched two virtual MELS webinars in February that are now available online.  “The pandemic has increased the need for the legal services we provide our members,” said Bill Whalen, chief counsel and director of DC 37 Municipal Employees Legal Services. “We are seeing successful turnouts […]
• Transformational Tuesdays: A Professional Development Series February 19, 2021
  During these challenging times, it can be difficult to see what the future has in store and how to best prepare for it. For the City’s youngest employees, this may be even more true. WorkWell NYC’s Project XYZ, a wellness initiative intentionally created to focus on the health and wellness of City employees from Generations […]
• NEWS, UPCOMING EVENTS and SERVICES February 18, 2021
  POLITICAL ACTION SPECIAL ELECTION FEB. 23: DC 37 members are making calls together live on Zoom! There’s a lot at stake for us in 2021 and we need to make sure we have representatives on the New York City Council who will have our backs when we need them to. Please join us for a virtual phone bank […]
• FEMA to Cover $7K for COVID Funerals February 17, 2021
  By DIANE S. WILLIAMS  New York State will get about $260 million in aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, to cover the funeral expenses of COVID victims, said Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a joint press conference in February.  “If you are a family who couldn’t afford or had to […]
• Erase Racism February 16, 2021
  DC 37 Celebrates Black History Month on Zoom By NINA E. MANNING, Secretary-Treasurer, Local 1930  DC 37 Black History Committee Co-Chair  The pandemic will not stop Black people from celebrating their history. We have overcome much, but we have not eliminated racism. Here it is the year 2021, and I am confounded that we are […]
• MELS UPDATE: STUDENT LOAN FORBEARANCE EXTENSION February 3, 2021
  By BILL WHALEN, MELS Director and Chief Counsel Within moments of taking office, President Joe Biden extended the student loan payment forbearance created under the CARES Act to September 30, 2021. The forbearance period started in March 2020, and was set to expire on January 31, 2021.   Borrowers with direct federal student loans in […]
• How the Coronavirus Pandemic May Be Causing Support of Labor Unions to Rise February 2, 2021
  By ABIGAIL JOHNSON HESS However, as wealth inequality accelerates, essential workers organize for pandemic protections and President-elect Biden makes promises to be “the most pro-union president you’ve ever seen,” public support for unions is rising.  In 2018, researchers at MIT found that approximately 48% of nonunion workers would join a union if they could — representing some 58 million workers and nearly […]
• FEBRUARY NEWS and UPCOMING EVENTS February 2, 2021
  POLITICAL ACTION The DC 37 Political Action Committee Meeting will host a virtual meet and greet with NYC Comptroller candidates on Thurs. Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. Register for this members only event here:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsd-isqDMoH9DdX6Asddox-19K6uYPeRGw ###   SPECIAL ELECTION FEB. 23 DC 37 endorsed Selvena Brooks-Powers for City Council 31st District to represent the communities of Arverne, Brookville, Edgemere, Far […]
• Linking Black and Labor History: How Unions Saved Our Public Hospitals February 1, 2021
  As DC 37 celebrates Black Heritage in February, the union reflects on its history, activism and critical role in saving New York City’s public hospitals and clinics and in protecting New Yorkers’ lives every day through medical emergencies, major crises and during the COVID-19 pandemic. By Ralph Palladino, 2nd Vice President, DC 37 Local 1549 The […]
• Labor Strong: Union Joins Coalition to Endorse City Council Slate January 29, 2021
  By MIKE LEE At a virtual press conference, the leaders of five New York City unions announced the endorsements of 31 NY City Council candidates for the June 22 Primary Election. The five unions formed the #LaborStrong2021 coalition, committing their power and resources to back a labor-oriented, progressive agenda to help New York City recover from the economic […]
• MELS Tax Webinar Online Now, Free Tax Prep Starts Feb. 1 January 28, 2021
  By DIANE S. WILLIAMS The MELS Tax Tips Webinar video and PowerPoint slide show are now available online.  “We had a successful turnout for this virtual webinar to help our members with their 2020 taxes,” said MELS Chief Counsel Bill Whalen. “The union continues to anticipate members’ needs in order to provide services they can […]
• COVID, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION and SHORT-TERM DISABILITY January 27, 2021
  By DIANE S. WILLIAMS DC 37 members who believe they have contracted coronavirus in the line of duty can apply for New York State Workers’ Compensation. A member has 30 days to file a Workers’ Comp claim for coronavirus and must submit medical documentation for their illness or injury. DC 37 members, especially those classified […]
• WEDNESDAY NIGHT: MELS TAX WORKSHOP, POETRY with POTUS JOE BIDEN  January 26, 2021
  MELS TAX WORKSHOP on WED. JAN. 27, 5:30 to 7 P.M.  The MELS Tax Tips webinar is Wed., Jan. 27 at 5:30. The union’s team of legal experts can help you understand tax preparation for 2020. What’s income, what’s not? Filing status, standard and itemized deductions, tax credits and other tax prep tips. Join the […]
• TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT! DC 37 VIRTUAL MAYORAL FORUM ON MONDAY, JAN. 25, 5:30 PM January 22, 2021
  DC 37 hosts a members only Virtual Mayoral Candidate Forum TONIGHT Monday Jan. 25, at 5:30 p.m. Members will hear from NYC 2021 mayoral candidates Eric Adams, Shaun Donovan, Kathryn Garcia, Ray McGuire, Carlos Menchaca, Dianne Morales, Scott Stringer, Maya Wiley, and Andrew Yang.  Join us to learn each candidate’s vision for our city and where they […]
• Brooklyn Surrogate Court Workers Protest Unjust Commissioner January 22, 2021
  By DIANE S. WILLIAMS Standing up for themselves to speak truth to power, about 50 members of two DC 37 locals united in a peaceful protest outside Brooklyn Surrogate Court January 14, to call for the ousting of the Public Administrator of Kings County.  “For too long we’ve been totally disrespected by someone who has […]
• FDNY EMS Pipes and Drums Band to Perform in Virtual Inaugural Parade January 22, 2021
  By ANGI GONZALEZ Amid the pandemic, it’s been some time since the FDNY EMS Pipes and Drums band performed publicly. On Wednesday, that will change when members take part in this year’s Inauguration Day festivities . “It was a great honor to be asked by the department to participate in this inauguration parade,” said band manager […]
• MAYORAL FORUM, TAX WEBINAR, COVID UPDATES, PAID FAMILY LEAVE, EDUCATION and MORE January 20, 2021
  POLITICAL ACTION MAYORAL FORUM on MONDAY, JAN. 25, 5:30 p.m. DC 37 will host a members only Virtual Mayoral Candidate Forum on Monday Jan. 25 at 5:30 p.m. Please register in advance here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_j9OwSPAgSFKN0qJLibHZ9A. You will receive a code to access this union event 24 hours in advance. For more information, please call the DC 37 Political Action Department […]
• MLK: Social Justice Pioneer January 18, 2021
  By DIANE S. WILLIAMS DC 37 remembers Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who would have turned 92 on January 15. For more than 25 years MLK Day on Jan. 18, is a day of service to others and the community, a time to work together for unity, support and equality.  As an architect of the Civil Rights […]
• NYC COVID VACCINE VIRTUAL TOWN HALL: JANUARY 15, 19, 20, 21 and 25 January 15, 2021
  The City of New York’s Vaccine Command Center is inviting you to join a virtual town hall event, featuring Dr. Jay Varma, Senior Public Health Advisor to the Mayor, for the latest information about the COVID-19 vaccine. This will be an excellent opportunity for New York City staff to learn more about the vaccines, vaccine […]
• City Rolls Out COVID Vaccine and AFSCME Town Hall Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. January 11, 2021
  By DIANE S. WILLIAMS The City of New York and other employers where DC 37 members work are rolling out plans to distribute COVID-19 vaccines for their employees. New York City is currently vaccinating certain groups of people in phases determined by New York State starting with 1a classified frontline essential workers at hospitals and […]