AFSCME wholeheartedly supports the newly reintroduced Richard Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), which would make it easier for workers in the private sector to form stron
After a marathon negotiating session on Feb. 16 that ended with a handshake minutes before midnight, the DC 37 Bargaining Committee concluded talks with the city on a new economic agreement that provides for fair wage increases worth more than 16% and continues premium-free health benefits for you and your dependents. For the first time ever, the agreement includes a path to implementing flexible work options, including telework. The contract provides for compounded 3% raises on May 26, 2021 (retro), 2022 (retro), 2023 and 2024, and a 3.25% wage increase on May 26, 2025. The contract term is 65 months and 12 days. The city also agreed to a minimum of $18 per hour wages for all members covered by this agreement earning less than that amount. Significantly, this agreement recognizes the tireless work of our members throughout the pandemic and includes a $3,000 bonus upon your ratification of the contract. This was a hard-fought economic agreement that took place across two mayoral administrations. Though the negotiation process was difficult for many reasons, I’m proud that we secured a contract that will improve conditions in the workplace and address challenges our members face at home. While the financial compensation is [...]— Mar 9
Members to vote on ratification this month By MIKE LEE After four rounds of intense negotiations, District Council 37 and the Adams Administration reached an economic agreement for city workers with a late-night handshake on Feb. 16. The historic collective bargaining agreement is subject to ratification by the 90,000 members who work at New York City’s mayoral agencies, NYC Health+Hospitals, the Department of Education, NYCHA, three city library systems, cultural institutions, and workers at the offices of the Borough Presidents, District Attorney, and the City Comptroller. The contract term is 65 months and 12 days—from May 26, 2021 to Nov. 6, 2026—and calls for 3% pay increases in the first four years and 3.25% in the last year. The five-year, five-month and 12-days agreement provides a 16.21% pay increase compounded, including retroactive pay, and a $3,000 signing bonus upon ratification. Retroactive pay kicks in from the first day of the proposed deal. The City also agreed to raise the minimum pay for hourly workers, meaning DC 37’s lowest-paid members covered by this agreement will receive $18 an hour if they are currently earning less. The union won a major victory in getting the City to agree to a remote work [...]— Mar 9
DC 37 launched a Day of Action social media campaign on Feb. 16 to encourage members and the public to show their support for City workers in a fight for a new contract. Hundreds participated, posting photos on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #DC37CONTRACTNOW.— Mar 9
By MIKE LEE As District Council 37 expands its power and reach as the largest union in New York City, members demand that leadership protect their rights and benefits, negotiate fair and just contracts, and expand membership through external and internal organizing. These efforts require the best people — hardworking leaders who can manage multiple responsibilities using innovative approaches to achieve DC 37’s goal of securing and building worker power in the city. Rose Lovaglio-Miller is an integral part of the executive team developed by DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido, who promoted her to Associate Director in February 2022. “I help oversee the day-to-day running of the union, working with all of the departments,” Lovaglio-Miller said. “One of my priorities is looking for different ways for DC 37 to help and expand our membership, whether it’s through improving benefits or negotiations, or finding other avenues for educational and professional development.” In her role, she supervises the operations of the Research and Negotiations Department and the Organizing Department. She also works closely with the Health and Security Plan and Education Fund. “We have to prioritize professional development,” Lovaglio-Miller said. “We must have more opportunities for people to enter the City [...]— Mar 9
By DIANE S. WILLIAMS As part of the union’s organizing blitz, DC 37 representatives recently signed up more than 700 Parks employees at agency orientation and training meetings. “This initiative helps us educate new hires about the union,” said Madonna Knight, associate director of DC 37’s Parks, Cultural, and Higher Education Division. “We are successfully engaging full-time Parks employees and enrolling them in DC 37 the day they start.” “I sat down with the division leaders to talk about having Parks workers sign union membership cards — and they listened,” said Dilcy Benn, Local 1505 President. “My grievance rep Eugene Williams’ research was very helpful in getting this off the ground.” The membership drive ran from October through December, and resumed in January. “President Benn and Madonna Knight led the team of reps that identified new hires and nonmembers in each borough, and it’s working!” said David Boyd, Director of DC 37’s Parks, Culturals, and Higher Education Division. “I worked with the Parks deputy commissioner to reach the newest hires and employees in DC 37 titles who were not union members,” Knight said. Twice a week, the Parks Department holds new employee orientations at the Flushing Training Center in Queens. [...]— Mar 9
After a marathon negotiating session on Feb. 16 that ended with a handshake minutes before midnight, the DC 37 Bargaining Committee concluded talks with the city on a new economic agreement that provides for fair wage increases worth more than 16% and continues premium-free health benefits for you and your dependents. For the first time ever, the agreement includes a path to implementing flexible work options, including telework. The contract provides for compounded 3% raises on May 26, 2021 (retro), 2022 (retro), 2023 and 2024, and a 3.25% wage increase on May 26, 2025. The contract term is 65 months and 12 days. The city also agreed to a minimum of $18 per hour wages for all members covered by this agreement earning less than that amount. Significantly, this agreement recognizes the tireless work of our members throughout the pandemic and includes a $3,000 bonus upon your ratification of the contract. This was a hard-fought economic agreement that took place across two mayoral administrations. Though the negotiation process was difficult for many reasons, I’m proud that we secured a contract that will improve conditions in the workplace and address challenges our members face at home. While the financial compensation is [...]— Mar 9
Members to vote on ratification this month By MIKE LEE After four rounds of intense negotiations, District Council 37 and the Adams Administration reached an economic agreement for city workers with a late-night handshake on Feb. 16. The historic collective bargaining agreement is subject to ratification by the 90,000 members who work at New York City’s mayoral agencies, NYC Health+Hospitals, the Department of Education, NYCHA, three city library systems, cultural institutions, and workers at the offices of the Borough Presidents, District Attorney, and the City Comptroller. The contract term is 65 months and 12 days—from May 26, 2021 to Nov. 6, 2026—and calls for 3% pay increases in the first four years and 3.25% in the last year. The five-year, five-month and 12-days agreement provides a 16.21% pay increase compounded, including retroactive pay, and a $3,000 signing bonus upon ratification. Retroactive pay kicks in from the first day of the proposed deal. The City also agreed to raise the minimum pay for hourly workers, meaning DC 37’s lowest-paid members covered by this agreement will receive $18 an hour if they are currently earning less. The union won a major victory in getting the City to agree to a remote work [...]— Mar 9
DC 37 launched a Day of Action social media campaign on Feb. 16 to encourage members and the public to show their support for City workers in a fight for a new contract. Hundreds participated, posting photos on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #DC37CONTRACTNOW.— Mar 9
By MIKE LEE As District Council 37 expands its power and reach as the largest union in New York City, members demand that leadership protect their rights and benefits, negotiate fair and just contracts, and expand membership through external and internal organizing. These efforts require the best people — hardworking leaders who can manage multiple responsibilities using innovative approaches to achieve DC 37’s goal of securing and building worker power in the city. Rose Lovaglio-Miller is an integral part of the executive team developed by DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido, who promoted her to Associate Director in February 2022. “I help oversee the day-to-day running of the union, working with all of the departments,” Lovaglio-Miller said. “One of my priorities is looking for different ways for DC 37 to help and expand our membership, whether it’s through improving benefits or negotiations, or finding other avenues for educational and professional development.” In her role, she supervises the operations of the Research and Negotiations Department and the Organizing Department. She also works closely with the Health and Security Plan and Education Fund. “We have to prioritize professional development,” Lovaglio-Miller said. “We must have more opportunities for people to enter the City [...]— Mar 9
By DIANE S. WILLIAMS As part of the union’s organizing blitz, DC 37 representatives recently signed up more than 700 Parks employees at agency orientation and training meetings. “This initiative helps us educate new hires about the union,” said Madonna Knight, associate director of DC 37’s Parks, Cultural, and Higher Education Division. “We are successfully engaging full-time Parks employees and enrolling them in DC 37 the day they start.” “I sat down with the division leaders to talk about having Parks workers sign union membership cards — and they listened,” said Dilcy Benn, Local 1505 President. “My grievance rep Eugene Williams’ research was very helpful in getting this off the ground.” The membership drive ran from October through December, and resumed in January. “President Benn and Madonna Knight led the team of reps that identified new hires and nonmembers in each borough, and it’s working!” said David Boyd, Director of DC 37’s Parks, Culturals, and Higher Education Division. “I worked with the Parks deputy commissioner to reach the newest hires and employees in DC 37 titles who were not union members,” Knight said. Twice a week, the Parks Department holds new employee orientations at the Flushing Training Center in Queens. [...]— Mar 9
