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DC 37 NEWS, EVENTS and SERVICES YOU CAN USE in JANUARY 2024 DC 37 NEWS, EVENTS and SERVICES YOU CAN USE in JANUARY 2024: From all of us at DC 37, we wish you a happy holiday season and a safe, healthy New Year. Thank you for reading, and see you in 2024! — Dec 28
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The Time Has Come to Rise Up I want to wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday and a joyous new year. We have much to celebrate and reflect on with the major contract wins we secured this year with your support. There is also much at stake in our battles on the horizon. In November, the Adams administration announced additional City budget cuts for Fiscal Year 2024, striking a sharp blow to our progress in recovering from the economic crisis that has unfolded in New York since the pandemic. DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido These drastic cuts further reduce the strength of our public workforce and access to services. The leadership of New York City’s three public library systems announced reduced hours and the end of Sunday services in response to the Mayor’s announcement. Critical community programming will suffer as a result of these cuts, as well as needed building maintenance and repairs. Our social service workers are already grappling with the migrant crisis while continuing to provide the proper delivery of services to New Yorkers in need. Yet, no city agency has been spared the cuts. This could not have come at a worse time. The city’s fiscal “solution” of eliminating [...] — Dec 20
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Filing A Grievance: The Process of Protecting Your Rights By MIKE LEE When a DC 37 member faces injustice, whether it be working out-of-title, unfair treatment by management in the workplace, disciplinary action, or a termination, the union provides full representation through the grievance filing process. A grievance is a dispute between the employee and the employer over whether a collective bargaining contract or policy violation has taken place. Division Directors and Managers at the five DC 37 Field Operations Divisions explain the grievance procedure, which varies depending on the contract for a member’s unit or agency, and whether the Local represents public, private, or non-profit workers, or those serving at cultural institutions. DC 37 members are encouraged to become familiar with their collective bargaining contract language to determine the specific steps for filing a grievance. Professional and Healthcare Marianela Santana, Director of the Professional and Healthcare Division, spoke about the process in her Division, which files hundreds of grievances per year, including cases for out-of-title work, pay disparity, wrongful termination, and other issues that are in violation of the contract. “When a member contacts the union and says, ‘I believe I'm doing out-of-title work,’ we initiate an assessment to determine if there’s a grievance,” Santana said. “When we [...] — Dec 20
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Have You Signed Your White Card? Eligible Members Unlock Union Benefits by Submitting their Health& Security Enrollment Form By ACACIA RODRIGUEZ Being a part of DC 37 is more than just membership in one of New York City's largest unions that negotiates contracts and raises. It's also about added benefits that, while non-economic, definitely impact working families' wallets. With the increasing cost of living, eligible DC 37 members are encouraged to take advantage of all the benefits they can, including medical, dental, legal, and retirement, in addition to support with financial questions, student loan debt relief, educational classes, job training, and estate planning. Signing the Health & Security Benefits Enrollment Form is the critical first step to begin receiving these benefits. After signing the “green card,” or member card, to join the union, members must fill out their “white card,” or benefits enrollment form, and return it to the DC 37 Health & Security Plan Trust by email to [email protected] or fax at 212.298.9880. The form is also available for download at dc37.net/benefits/health/hs_forms. A DC 37 Health & Security Plan Enrollment Form with any required documentation must be on file before members or their eligible dependent/s (legal spouse or domestic partner and dependent children) can obtain [...] — Dec 20
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Welcoming New Members With Help From a Rising Generation of Activists By MIKE LEE The union’s Field Operations team is busy executing worksite visits at the city’s agencies, cultural institutions, and non-profit and private sector facilities to sign up non-members and encourage them to enroll for their Health & Security benefits. At dozens of lunchtime meetings and Union Halls held throughout New York City and upstate since the start of fall, DC 37 staffers and activists have received a receptive, often enthusiastic response. The intensive effort builds union strength while educating both potential and current members on the value of the job protections and extensive services provided by DC 37. Photos: Mike Lee and Acacia Rodriguez All hands were on deck at a Nov. 16 lunchtime meeting at Metropolitan Hospital as Grievance Reps and Division leadership joined representatives of the Health & Security Fund, DC 37 Education Fund, and other vital member services to explain their benefits. This series of meetings is also part of an intensive effort to encourage members to sign the all-important “white cards” (see pages 4-5), guaranteeing eligible DC 37 members and their families health and pension benefits. One of the critical aspects of this campaign is the involvement of Volunteer Member Organizers (VMOs) in the outreach [...] — Dec 20