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DC 37 NEWS, EVENTS, and SERVICES YOU CAN USE in APRIL MONTHLY NEWSLETTER DC 37 HEALTH & SECURITY PLAN Health & Security Benefit Fairs The DC 37 Health & Security Plan invites you to attend an upcoming Health & Security Plan Benefit Fair in our new union headquarters. The monthly fairs are a great opportunity to learn more about your Health & Security benefits and the variety of resources available to you as a DC 37 member. All members are welcome to attend and take advantage of this event. We look forward to seeing you there! Monday, April 21, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | DC 37 Headquarters, 125 Barclay Wednesday, April 23, 2-4 p.m. | DC 37 Headquarters, 125 Barclay DC 37 MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES HOUSING PROGRAM First-Time Homebuyer Workshop Are you thinking of buying your first home but don’t know where to begin? The DC 37 Municipal Employees Housing Program is pleased to offer two virtual First-Time Homebuyer Workshops. Allow us to assist you on your journey to homeownership as we discuss the mortgage process, pre-approvals, debt-to-income ratios, PMI, FHA loans, conventional loans, and much more! Bring your questions and we’ll provide the answers. We hope to see you there! Saturday, April 5 at 11 a.m. | Register HERE. Saturday, April 19 at 11 a.m. [...] — Mar 28
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Where We Rallied By MIKE LEE Local 205 Fights Day Care Closures More than 200 protesters, including parents, teachers, and other workers, rallied on Jan. 24 in front of Nuestros Niños Day Care Center in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to protest the impending closure of the location and four other centers in Brooklyn and Queens by the end of June. Nuestros Niños Day Care Center has served the neighborhood for more than 50 years. The other centers at risk are Grand Street Settlement, Young Minds, Friends of Crown Heights, and All My Children. “These centers have served their communities for decades,” said Robert Ramos, President of Day Care Workers Local 205. “For no valid reason, these community institutions are being closed down by the city to save money and move the children to public school classrooms, which are already overcrowded.” Closing the day care centers will affect hundreds of children, their families, and staff, including nearly 100 Local 205 members who work as Group Teachers, Assistant Teachers, Cooks, Janitors, Family Workers, and Bookkeepers. The city blamed the decision on low enrollment numbers despite evidence to the contrary. Currently, enrollment figures show 75% to 99% enrollment at the threatened Brooklyn locations. Parents, Providers Demand City Stop [...] — Mar 18
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Snapshots Black History Month is Back at DC 37 Headquarters For the first time in five years, the DC 37 Black History Committee, chaired by Local 1930 President Deborah Allman, commenced its month-long celebration at 125 Barclay St. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 3. Pictured: Evangelist Selene Crawford sings the Black National Anthem. DC 37 Leaders Meet to Discuss Strategy at Annual Retreat Presidents from nearly every DC 37 local gathered with the union’s senior staff for the annual Local Presidents’ Leadership Summit Jan. 31-Feb. 2. The conference, held days after President Donald Trump was sworn into office for the second time, focused on ways to combat the effects of Project 2025’s implementation, harnessing the union’s political power in the upcoming New York City elections, and new ideas for building a stronger union through internal and external organizing. — Mar 18
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Scam Alert: Don’t Fall for Predatory Mailers 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 [...] — Mar 18
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Union’s Health & Security Fund Launches Benefit Fairs By MIKE LEE Union members and retirees gather at an information table at the first H&S Benefit Fair in DC 37 headquarters. Now that DC 37 has returned to 125 Barclay St. in lower Manhattan, the union’s headquarters serves as host for many member events, including the new DC 37 Health & Security Fund Benefit Fairs that kicked off Jan. 28. The fairs strive to educate DC 37 members and retirees on their eligible benefits and enhanced services. Staffers from every Health & Security Plan unit answered members’ questions, assisted in updating records, and handed out information about partner health care providers. William Bifulco, Administrator of the DC 37 Health & Security Plan, was pleased with the turnout and interaction with members. “We are here to serve the needs of our eligible workers and retirees,” Bifulco said. “Hosting these fairs at our beautiful renovated headquarters is key to ensuring our members understand how comprehensive their benefits are and how to best utilize them.” H&S plans to host the benefit fairs twice per month to reach as many members as possible while welcoming them into their new union home. “It is clear that when our members see our updated facility, they [...] — Mar 18