District Council 37

  • Know Your Rights. Interacting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement
    By JUSTINA RAMLAKHAN New York City is home to approximately 3.1 million immigrants who represent nearly 40% of the city’s total population. This number does not account for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants and asylum-seekers who reside within the five boroughs. Since beginning his second term, President Donald Trump issued several new deportation-related Executive Orders that have resulted in increased fear and confusion among many. The federal government directs Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to prioritize arrests of targeted populations. Presently, the law allows for the deportation of certain immigrants, including anyone without lawful immigration status and people with status (lawful permanent residents, refugees, and visa holders) who have certain criminal convictions. People with legal status and prior convictions may be a target for deportation even if the conviction is from years ago, jail time was not served, the case resulted in a minor offense or misdemeanor, they’ve been a Lawful Permanent Resident for a long time, or all other members of their family are U.S. citizens. “The amount of information coming out daily from the White House can be overwhelming for anyone,” said Bill Whalen, MELS director and chief counsel. “Our members should follow any guidance issued by [...] — Jun 6
  • Non-Profit Workers Win First Contract
    As workers and key staff look on, Research and Negotiations Department Director Daniel Katz signs the first collective bargaining contract between the Center for Urban Community Services and DC 37. Story and Photo by MIKE LEE Persistence paid off when workers at the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS) signed their first collective bargaining agreement on April 2. The agreement covers the nearly 300 social workers, mental health clinicians, caseworkers, peer specialists, office managers, and administrative assistants working at the non-profit. CUCS provides mental health services, social support services, and supportive housing to New Yorkers in need. This is the first union contract for CUCS workers who began an organizing campaign in 2021. After winning voluntary recognition in early March 2022, they formed a bargaining committee and commenced negotiations with management a few months later. The process took two years and more than 35 bargaining sessions. Through dogged resistance to management’s demands, workers reached a settlement at the end of January 2025, and overwhelmingly ratified the three-year contract on March 14. The bargaining committee focused primarily on wages and safety, which were top priorities for the workers who provide services for permanent housing as well as shelter and street outreach. [...] — Jun 6
  • Our Choice is Clear
    This is a pivotal moment for New York City. As we approach Primary Day on June 24, we have the opportunity to shape city government with our votes and address the vital needs of our communities while setting the standard for consistent and fair leadership. DC Executive DirectorHenry Garrido Going into this year’s endorsement process, we knew that our preferred candidate must have strong character, clear judgment, and the resolve to tackle our city’s essential issues. New York City needs a mayor who will provide steadfast leadership when the Trump administration threatens everything we stand for. Our delegates have spoken: Adrienne Adams is DC 37’s first choice for mayor. A Council member since 2017 representing District 28 in Queens, Adrienne Adams (no relation to Eric Adams) became the first Black City Council Speaker in 2021 and led the first women-majority Council in the city’s history. During a time of uncertainty and controversy elsewhere in city government, her steady hand guided pro-union initiatives through the legislative process, including proactively pushing equal pay for municipal workforce. For the first time, the union has also endorsed a ranked slate of candidates for mayor.  DC 37 delegates approved Zohran Mamdani as number two on [...] — Jun 6
  • AdvantageCare Physicians Opens at DC 37 Health Center
    By MIKE LEE District Council 37 members, retirees, and their families may now receive high-quality medical care at the DC 37 Health Center in lower Manhattan. On May 5, AdvantageCare Physicians (ACPNY) opened for business at 115 Chambers St. With more than 40 offices in New York City and Long Island, ACPNY provides primary and specialized care focusing on individual patients’ needs. “I’m proud to bring AdvantageCare Physicians’ high-quality, primary and specialty care to our health center,” said Henry Garrido, DC 37 Executive Director. “This facility represents a significant milestone for us in providing a new, accessible location for our members to receive comprehensive health care and wellness services in a welcoming and state-of-the-art environment.” Photo by Justina Ramlakhan Physicians at ACPNY bring a “whole you” team approach to patients, working with nurses, social workers, nutritionists, behavioral health specialists, and other professionals. The team works to understand the health impacts of physical, emotional, and lifestyle factors. Ascertaining the complete picture of an individual’s health helps the physician work with the patient toward an appropriate diagnosis and direction of care. “DC 37 is committed to improving the quality of life of all our members and their families,” said William Bifulco, Administrator [...] — Jun 6
  • MTA Workers Win Justice in Overtime Screw-Up
    Members of Metropolitan Transportation Authority Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1655 joined Local President Magaly Rosario (seated) after winning their case in Federal Court over unpaid overtime. By MIKE LEE Software issues with payroll resulted in DC 37 members getting shorted comp time when they worked overtime at the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). With the union’s help, they won a substantial settlement from the agency. Patricia Beckwith, Associate Cashier I and a member of Metropolitan Transportation Authority Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1655, first identified the discrepancy in her paycheck and reported it. “There was something wrong with the system software,” said Magaly Rosario, president of Local 1655, whose members include clerical associates, cashiers, customer service specialists, and other MTA titles. “If you worked over 40 hours a week, you would get paid time and a half for the overtime. However, if you decided to bank or use it for comp time, you only received straight time instead of time and a half.” The union filed a case in late November 2019 and, after undergoing a long struggle through the courts, the MTA agreed to settle with the affected workers for nearly $250,000 in April 2024, including additional damages. While the lawsuit began with [...] — Jun 6