By MIKE LEE

In the last few months, DC 37 members have reported receiving emails, letters, and postcards claiming that giving up their union membership would result in a “raise.” The messages have appeared in the form of phony checks and holiday cards.

The groups sending the erroneous communications have one ultimate aim — to undermine and eventually dissolve labor unions.

To carry out this agenda, they use an array of deceptive tactics to collect personal information and convince union members to give up their union benefits and protection. These “door-to-door union killers” are part of a national effort to roll back hard-won wage increases, pensions, job protections, and other benefits that workers have gained through organizing. They receive their funding from predatory, anti-union billionaires like the Koch family.

The groups claim their recent efforts convinced more than 200,000 public workers nationwide to opt out of union membership, costing their unions hundreds of millions of dollars that would have otherwise gone to their health care and education funds for direct services.

By falling for these scams, workers not only receive little in return, but also lose their voice in negotiations for better wages and benefits.

To report questionable union-related mail from suspicious organizations, contact your DC 37 Representative at 212.815.1000.