National AFSCME News
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NEWS, UPCOMING EVENTS and SERVICES PSU: HELP FOR ANXIETY The Personal Service Unit (PSU) of DC 37’s Health and Security Plan would like to offer information and coping techniques for Anxiety. This past year has been filled with challenges, disruptions, fears and losses. As we transition to increasing in-person activities, we may feel additional Anxiety. Anxiety is a mental health condition characterized by feelings of worry and fear that may interfere with one’s daily activities. Common physical symptoms are panic attacks, racing heart rate, chest palpitations, rapid breathing and irritability. Common psychological symptoms are racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, catastrophizing, or obsessive thinking. The following are some useful strategies for coping with Anxiety: *Pay attention to your thoughts as they influence your feelings and behavior. Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with ones that are more realistic and provide a balanced perspective. * Deep breathing, meditation, grounding techniques, imagery and journaling can provide release. * Recognize the challenges that you have already overcome this past year; remind yourself of your strengths and resilience. * Re-develop your morning/before work routine, anticipate stressors and emotionally prepare to return to in-person activities. * Acknowledge your feelings; reach out for support and professional help if needed. PSU is here for [...] — May 11
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COVID-19 Cases Expose Workers’ Comp Failures By DIANE S. WILLIAMS Calling for immediate policy changes to fix the broken New York State Workers’ Compensation system, a coalition of unions joined The New York Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) and attorney Robert E. Grey on April 27, to say the Workers Compensation system has failed some 250,000 workers who got sick from COVID-19 on the job. The group introduced policy changes and new state legislation (S. 1241 and S. 1721) that would make Workers’ Comp more accessible to workers sickened by coronavirus, regardless of language or immigration status. At the virtual press conference Sen. Jessica Ramos, Chair of the state Labor Committee, said the legislation is an “effort to get more workers just relief.” The report authored by Grey revealed that of the 250,000 workers with symptomatic COVID-19, less than 10 percent, or just 21,000 workers, applied for Workers’ Compensation. Only 1,000 workers have received a Workers’ Comp hearing. Grey said the WCB ignored or denied 90 percent of the cases. Other workers lost their cases on appeal and were not compensated. The report said the system favors employers, which is not what the Workers’ Comp law was designed to do. The Workers’ Compensation system [...] — May 7
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Essential Workers #GetVaccinated Laura Morand, Local 2627 President I got the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Feb 12. I could have gotten it a month early as a Fire Department employee, but I was hesitant. I developed a lack of trust in the medical system after I was misdiagnosed on March 25, 2020. That day I was rushed by ambulance to Franklin Hospital in Long Island. I had a 101 fever and difficulty breathing. I was weak, achy and dizzy. I was fast-tracked to see a doctor but he denied me a COVID test and did not check me out thoroughly despite my symptoms. He gave me two Tylenol and an asthma pump and sent me home. I believe that if I were a Caucasian woman, doctors would have tested me for everything including COVID-19. Instead, they put on a Band-Aid and sent me back to work. The way I was treated hurt me but I was too weak to do anything about it. When I didn’t get any better, I called our executive director Henry Garrido. He sent me to Queens General Hospital. My daughter drove me. I saw Dr. Holness, a Black doctor, who ordered an x-ray. It confirmed that I had [...] — May 4
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MELS Bankruptcy Webinar Now Online By DIANE S. WILLIAMS About 75 DC 37 members joined the Municipal Employees Legal Services (MELS) webinar “Bankruptcy: An Opportunity for a Fresh Start” on April 28. At the Zoom webinar, the MELS team of consumer lawyers shared their expertise on the difference between Chapter 7 and 13, garnishments and judgments, how to protect one’s privacy, rebuilding one’s credit and more. A recording and slideshow are now available online. MELS Bankruptcy webinar video replay: https://bit.ly/3aQ9yc2 MELS Bankruptcy webinar slides: https://bit.ly/3gM7rtR “Members can sometimes become overwhelmed by expenses or experience a major and unexpected debt or hardship that can cause them to fall behind on their bills. As time goes on they can’t seem to catch up,” said Bill Whalen, chief counsel and director of DC 37 Municipal Employees Legal Services. “We can help them to understand the legal options available for debt relief.” Whalen added, “If a DC 37 member wants to know more about bankruptcy, they should call MELS for advice.” For more information on the free legal services the union provides, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212 815-1111 or email: [email protected] — Apr 29
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Virtual Health and Safety Workshop for Local 95 and 205 Members DC 37 invites members of Local 95 New York City Head Start Employees and Local 205 Day Care Employees to join us on Tuesday, May 4 from 6 to 7 p.m., for an important virtual workshop on health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual webinar will teach members about resources available through the renowned Mount Sinai Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health. To register, please go to www.dc37local.com/covid and complete the online form using your computer, tablet or smart phone. Once you submit the form, you will receive an email invite to “Ring Central Meetings,” with instructions on how to access the workshop. For more information, please visit www.dc37.net/about/locals/local95 or www.dc37.net/about/locals/local205, or contact your union representative at 212-219-0222. — Apr 29