By MIKE LEE

When the union fights for what is right, determination and perseverance always wins.

After nearly a year of negotiations, the Adams administration and a committee of union representatives agreed to implement alternative work schedules for tens of thousands of DC 37 members with job titles that do not allow them to work remotely.

The pilot program agreed to in late January culminated a process that began with negotiating last year’s citywide economic agreement. At the start of negotiations, Mayor Eric Adams repeatedly stated that he was against alternative work schedules for City workers.

However, as talks continued, the union convinced the mayor of the importance of having the opportunity for remote work and other scheduling alternatives.

In the end, the union won these benefits for city workers, and as a result, more than 20,000 DC 37 members now work remotely under the pilot. With the new program, City workers who cannot work remotely may be offered a compressed schedule for four days a week. Daily hours will be adjusted so workers are on the job for the same weekly hours.

“We have said all along that the world of work has changed,” said Henry Garrido, DC 37 Executive Director. “Our commitment during contract negotiations was to offer flexible arrangements for as many of our members as possible, the majority of whom are in positions that can’t be carried out remotely due to the nature of their work.

“Immense credit goes to the Flexible Work Committee, who took time to listen and develop recommendations that respond to the demands of City workers’ varied job requirements,” he said.

The committee’s weekly meetings began on April 5, 2023, less than a week after the ratification of the Citywide Agreement and continue weekly.

DC 37 Associate Director Rose Lovaglio-Miller chairs the union side of the committee. The union is also represented by Anthony Wells, SSEU Local 371 President; Richard Kowalczyk, Local 3599 President; Juan Fernandez, Local 154 President; Deborah Allman, Local 1930 President; Francine Francis, Local 1251 President; DC 37 General Counsel Robin Roach; DC 37 Research and Negotiations Department Assistant Director Stacey Peyton; and Ellen Medwid, DC 37 Research and Negotiations Department Executive Assistant.

Members from the City include representatives from the Office of Labor Relations, Department of Citywide Administrative Services, and Office of Management and Budget.

“In the beginning, the City put up plenty of roadblocks,” Lovaglio-Miller said. “During negotiations on the Citywide economic contract, we had to convince Mayor Adams that remote work was something he needed to do because the staff was leaving in droves.

“The City initially only wanted to allow us to have one day of remote work per pay period but we pushed back,” Lovaglio-Miller said.

The alternate work schedule includes compressed tours and flexible work schedules. Both options have been available for certain DC 37 titles since 1985.

“The nature of the work that some of our members do may not afford them to be on compressed tours every week,” Lovaglio-Miller said. “We have to have discussions with each City agency on compressed tours just as we have with the remote work.”

Richard Kowalczyk, President of Local 3599 NYC Department of Environmental Protection Technical Professional Employees representing more than 300 upstate technical and professional employees maintaining New York City’s watershed, spoke about some conflicts during negotiations.

“We’re professionals and we made it work during the pandemic,” he said. “We had a successful pattern and can continue that without any issues.”

Since last June, most City agencies have implemented remote work programs. The union is negotiating with other agencies, including cultural institutions and libraries, pension plans, borough presidents, and district attorneys.

“We do not work in a vacuum,” Lovaglio-Miller said. “We’re trying to touch all aspects of our membership, and the volume of work that the Research and Negotiations Department has undertaken and been successful in completing just speaks to the dedication of the staff.”

She is confident the outcome of the negotiated process will soon benefit tens of thousands of City workers.

“Once it’s all said and done, upward of 70,000 members will benefit from the flexible work schedule options,” Lovaglio-Miller said. “We just need members to be patient that it is coming.”