DC 37 BLOG

• 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 […]
• Georgia: Democrats Take the Senate January 6, 2021
  By MIKE LEE The change is now complete—and refreshing. In two hotly contested runoff elections in Georgia, Democratic Party candidates, the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff won their respective races for the United States Senate. Both elections were won by razor-thin margins, but with these stunning victories, the Democrats have wrested control of the […]
• COVID RELIEF, EDUCATION, and MORE January 5, 2021
  MELS UPDATE: New York State Eviction Moratorium through May 2021 On December 28, 2020, a sweeping eviction ban took effect in New York, giving qualifying tenants fearful of losing their homes during the pandemic, relief through May 1, 2021. To qualify for protection from eviction, tenants must file a “hardship declaration” explaining the source of […]
• DC 37 SERVICES, GOTV, COVID RENT RELIEF, TAX TIPS and MORE December 29, 2020
  POLITICAL ACTION The critical Georgia Senate runoff elections are on January 5, and the DC 37 Political Action Dept. is coordinating with AFSCME to conduct daily phone banking opportunities for union members to reach out to union households in Georgia. Can you volunteer a hour or two to help? Please click on the link to sign […]
• Three MELS Webinars Now Online December 25, 2020
  The Municipal Employees Legal Services held webinars on Family Law (Oct. 28), Real Estate (Nov. 30), and Student Debt (Dec. 8) that each drew scores of concerned union members seeking legal advice. These webinars now are available online to members at www.dc37.net. “The pandemic has wreaked havoc on working families. COVID-19 has led to the […]
• Queens Library Goes Virtual December 25, 2020
  By MIKE LEE While New York City is in the throes of a second wave of coronavirus cases in the midst of the 10-month long pandemic, public workers on the frontlines continue to provide essential services. These workers, including many DC 37 members, often take initiative to come up with inventive solutions to providing these […]
• The People Have Spoken December 24, 2020
  The Nov. 3 election was more than a historic moment; it is a pathway to what we expect to be a brighter future in a time of national crisis. Throughout the following week, as tens of millions of mail-in and absentee ballots were counted, it was clear that a vast majority of Americans demanded a […]
• Union’s Private Sector Locals’ Virtual Fair a Success December 21, 2020
  By MIKE LEE Members of the union’s Non-Profit and Private Sector Division attended the Health, Housing and Resource Fair to learn more about the services DC 37 provides for members.  The Division, formerly District Council 1707, unified with DC 37 in Sept. 2019, bringing in Locals 95, 107, 205, 215, 253, and 389, representing 20,000 home […]
• COVID-19 RENT RELIEF PROGRAM December 18, 2020
  The New York State Dept. of Homes and Community Renewal’s COVID Rent Relief Program application period is open Dec. 18 through Feb. 1, 2021. Previous applicants do not need to reapply. More Information COVID 19 – HCR PROGRAM NOTICES More information For more information, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212 815-1111 or email MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net
• DC 37 SERVICES, GOTV, and HOLIDAY EVENTS December 16, 2020
  MELS COVID EVICTIONS MORATORIUM MELS attorneys can help members facing eviction. The CDC COVID extension ends Dec. 31. To speak with a MELS lawyer, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212 815-1111 or email: MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net. ### POLITICAL ACTION THE FIGHT IS NOT FINISHED, HELP GOTV in GEORGIA The presidential elections are over….but our fight is not finished. On Jan. […]
• Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights Display December 15, 2020
  By DIANE S. WILLIAMS An illuminated, global safari brightens the Bronx Zoo each night from Nov. 20 through Jan. 10, thanks to hardworking Local 1501 members. The new display crosses three continents and dives deep into the ocean to feature illuminated animals from all over the world.  “Our members, the electricians, zookeepers, ticket agents, and […]
• NYS Paid Family Leave Benefit Expands December 11, 2020
  By DIANE S. WILLIAMS  DC 37 negotiated to have the NYS paid family leave law include all members covered by the 2017-2021 economic agreement. The provisions of the law also cover members in the non-profit and private sector locals. In 2021 the PFL benefit increases to 12 weeks, from 10 weeks. The maximum weekly paid benefit increases to $971.61 or […]
• What can the story of Chanukah teach us today? December 10, 2020
  By LEONARD DAVIDMAN, PhD, President, Local 1189 & Chair, DC 37 Jewish Heritage Committee Do these headlines look familiar? Resistance. A nation divided. Citizens clashing. A battle over values. Each side demeans the other. Cancel culture. Who should be the nation’s leader? How should we deal with foreign countries? No! They are not from 2020. […]
• Private Sector Locals! Sign Up for Health Housing and Resource Virtual Fair on Dec. 12! December 9, 2020
  Attention members of Locals 95, 107, 205, 215, 253, and 389! The DC 37 Non-Profit and Private Sector Division is holding a virtual Health Housing and Resource Virtual Fair on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 10 a.m., and also at 1 p.m. Your union will be delivering important information about the services DC 37 offers in workshops […]
• DC 37 Services, GOTV and Holiday Events December 8, 2020
  MELS STUDENT LOAN DEBT WEBINAR DEC. 8 NOW ONLINE The MELS student loan debt webinar held on Tuesday Dec. 8, is now available online.Hundreds of DC37 members viewed the Zoom presentation that featured MELS attorneys and legal experts who shared information on: COVID protections for student borrowers; Income Driven Repayment Plans; Loan Consolidation; Rehabilitation after Default; the […]
• GOTV in Georgia December 4, 2020
  The presidential elections are over….but our fight is not finished.  Across the country COVID cases are skyrocketing and everyday Americans are struggling to get through an economic crisis that has been brought about by the global pandemic. Our families need a cash stimulus package now. Our families need leaders in office who will work toward […]
• Upcoming DC 37 Events December 2, 2020
  ReNEW Year Challenge for 2021 End the year strong, and start 2021 feeling good! WorkWell NYC invites DC 37 members to join the ReNEW Year Challenge, a 15-day mind and body program that starts Dec. 7-21. The challenge helps you reflect on all the positive things you can bring into the New Year 2021, and […]
• MELS Real Estate Webinar Now Online December 1, 2020
  By DIANE S. WILLIAMS The Municipal Employees Legal Services, MELS, held a Real Estate webinar Nov. 30 with hundreds of DC 37 members looking to buy a home, coop apartment or condominium. The webinar is now available online: MELS Real Estate webinar video replay:  https://bit.ly/2Jf96d7 MELS Real Estate webinar PowerPoint slides:  https://bit.ly/37mclYb MELS lawyers and […]