District Council 37

  • Snapshots
    2024 Black History Month Celebration On Feb. 29, the DC 37 Black History Committee presented an evening of education and entertainment at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. The event, “African Americans and the Arts: Our Impact on Society,” kicked off with ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ and was followed by a member-led Hip-Hop culture and dance program, a discussion about the history of Black hair care, and a keynote speech from American Federation of Teachers Vice President Anthony Harmon. 2024 Women’s History Month The DC 37 Women’s History Committee held its annual event in March in observance of Women’s History Month. The celebration featured guest speaker Ellen Cassidy, the founder of 9to5, the National Association of Women Office Workers, and author of Working 9 to 5: A Women’s Movement. 2024 Pride Parade On June 2, the DC 37 Pride Diversity Interest Group (PDIG) celebrated Pride Month at the Queens Pride Parade. DC 37 attendees marched down 37th Avenue to commemorate LBGTQ+ history, music, and culture. — Jun 12
  • Local 983 Titles Ratify New Contracts
    By ACACIA RODRIGUEZ The five-and-a-half-year contracts provide wage increases and ratification bonuses for Local 983 members in blue collar roles who were unable to work from home during the pandemic. “I’m happy to have these new contracts resolved,” said Local 983 President Joe Puleo. “These are equitable contracts that our members deserve.” Each title plays a major role in eliminating potential safety hazards for the public. High Pressure Plant Tenders and Plant Maintainers ensure boilers, furnaces, and cooling units are running properly in hospitals, transit, school settings, and City facilities. Traffic Enforcement Agents keep streets safe by patrolling and enforcing parking codes. Urban Park Rangers, who maintain the city’s parks, beaches, pools, and recreation centers, are crucial in keeping park patrons informed and protected. Local 983 President Joe Puleo and NYC Office of Labor Relations Commissioner Renee Campion. Photo: Thea Setterbo “It’s a good contract in my eyes,” said Associate Urban Park Ranger Joe Oro. “I’ve been here 37 years and haven’t seen one as good as this. Patience is a virtue, so I’m glad the contract is here finally.” Eligible members are entitled to 16.21% compounded wage increases during the contract term, a $3,000 ratification bonus, retroactive pay awarded [...] — Jun 12
  • State Budget Gains. City Battle Continues
    NYC Attendants, Park Service Workers, City Park Workers & Debris Removers Local 1505 President Dilcy Benn (center) with Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and members at a Fair Play for Parks rally at Union Square on May 7. Photo: Susan Chin BY MIKE LEE After months of negotiations, including debates over affordable housing and tenant protections, legislators in Albany passed the New York State budget for Fiscal Year 2025 on April 20, nearly three weeks past the April 1 deadline. The union made progress on several priorities as a result of momentum gained from member participation in advocacy events, including the March 12 Lobby Day at the state capitol. Tier 6 Reform Passes After lobbying by DC 37 and other New York public sector unions, Gov. Hochul and State legislators agreed to pass critical changes to the Tier 6 pension plan. Moving forward, Tier 6 employees’ pensions will be calculated on an average of their last three years of earnings rather than five. The union’s efforts paid off, with a $400 million investment increasing the Final Average Salary for Tier 6 members upon retirement. The final budget also includes a two-year extension of the Overtime Exclusion benefit, which was due [...] — Jun 12
  • Worker Solidarity Prevails in the Workplace
    By MIKE LEE at Care for the Homeless After a concerted organizing effort kicked off in October 2021, the union recently secured DC 37 representation at 21 of 24 locations at Care for the Homeless, a non-profit that provides services and shelter for thousands of at-risk New Yorkers. The non-profit was founded in 1985 and operates sites across all five boroughs. Care for the Homeless workers at Susan’s Place in the Bronx. From left: Registered Nurse Tiffany Bigwitch, Medical and Office Assistant Melika Fagan, and Senior Eligibility Enrollment Specialist Francheska Romero. The campaign’s success centered on a large-scale effort requiring four highly trained internal organizing committees comprised of workers representing the locations. The campaign was unique because each site required a separate certification election. District Council 37 brought in more than 100 workers after each certification vote passed by an overwhelming majority. The organizing committees were crucial to the campaign’s success, maintaining unity and focusing efforts on winning recognition. “The workers realized they were robust in numbers and would win,” Organizer Tanya Miller said. “They believed in one another. They had a plan to prepare for each vote and stuck to it.” By taking on leadership during the struggle to unionize, Care [...] — Jun 12
  • Women’s Work is Never Done: Developing Leadership From Within
    Story & Photo by JUSTINA RAMLAKHAN The sixth cohort of the Lillian Roberts Women’s Leadership Academy in front of the entrance to the New York Historical Society, one of the in-person field trips offered in the current curriculum. Whether it be at home, in the workplace, or in their own communities, women have always worked. While female workers occupy full-time jobs across all industries and professions— and, on average, get paid 16% less for doing the same work—  there is a staggering gap in the number who pursue leadership roles in comparison to their male colleagues. The DC 37 Lillian Roberts Women’s Leadership Academy (LRWLA) aims to close that gap. The LRWLA is a 10-session, 40-hour leadership training program designed to support women who desire taking on leadership positions within their profession and community. Named in honor of long-time DC 37 leader and former Executive Director Lillian Roberts, the Academy’s objective since its founding in 2019 is to help women understand the key elements in the relationship between gender and power dynamics when serving in leadership positions and to learn the most effective ways to lead groups in a gender-biased society. The program is based on the Women’s Leadership Academy [...] — Jun 12