EVENTS and NEWS:
PLEASE JOIN OUR NEW CONTRACT NOW! RALLY at FOLEY SQUARE on JUNE 15, at 5 PM
Make your voices heard! Join the rally for a New Contract Now! at Foley Square/ Thomas Paine Park on JUNE 15 at 5 PM. DC 37 represents 150,000 of the City’s essential public workforce who keep New York City running through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. DC 37 members provide vital services to keep New Yorkers safe—often at great personal risk. Stand with your union and bring your coworkers to call on the City to negotiate a fair and equitable contract. Wear your union green tee shirts. A limited number of union masks and hats will be available. For more information, please contact your local president or union representative.
JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY MONDAY, JUNE 20 UPDATE
The holiday of Juneteenth has been added to the Citywide agreement and falls on Sunday, June 19, this year. If you work on the actual holiday of June 19, you get compensated with premium pay and a day. Monday, June 20, 2022 will be the observed day; if you work on the observed day you get the comp day in addition to regular pay. It will follow the same rules as our current holidays. The holiday is for full-time employees who are covered by the Citywide agreement as well as 220 titles, Department of Education employees, NYCHA and NYC Health and Hospitals, as well as our NY State members. Employees who are required to work on the holiday will receive holiday premium and a day added to the leave bank for later use. If you work the observed day, a day will be added to the leave bank for later use.
We have been and are in the process of negotiating with authorities, cultural institutions and the library systems as well. Other nonprofit/private sector units may also have added the day. We are actively negotiating this benefit for all of our members. If you have any questions please contact your union representative.
CAN YOU VOLUNTEER for the DC 37 PHONE BANK?
DC 37 can use your help. Can you volunteer to call your union sisters and brothers and support the candidates DC 37 endorses? Your voice is powerful and can make a difference in the weeks leading up to the New York State Democratic Primary. The Political Action Department makes phone-banking easy for you and will provide training, scripts and more. To volunteer, sign up here: https://bit.ly/DC37GreenMachine.
DC 37 DENTAL CENTER is OPEN
The newly renovated, state-of-the-art DC 37 Dental Center at 115 Chambers Street in Lower Manhattan is a 30-seat facility that offers advanced dental and periodontal care and full-service dental care to members, retirees, and their dependents. The Dental Center accepts appointments Mon. to Fri., 8 AM to 6 PM and Sat., 8 AM to 5 PM. To schedule a visit, please call 212-766-4440.
HEALTH and WELLNESS:
NEW COVID-19 ADVISORY, VACCINE MANDATE UPDATE and COVID-19 INFORMATION
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, DOHMH, recently shared an advisory that indoor masking is recommended citywide in light of the increasing COVID-19 spread. Employees are encouraged to wear masks indoors in public spaces, but it is not mandated. Click HERE to read the NYC advisory.
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 protocols, the DCAS Commissioner Directive for Face Coverings, the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, COVID testing sites for City employees, NYS worker's compensation and short-term disability, FEMA COVID-19 burial assistance, and more, visit HERE.
JUNE is MSK MEN'S HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
Memorial Sloan Kettering can help you learn about prostate screening and what’s right for you. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the U.S., especially for those over the age of 45. A simple PSA blood test can help find prostate cancer early. In less than 5 minutes, you can take a screening assessment and learn the risk factors associated with developing prostate cancer, such as age, family history, race, and ethnicity can help lower fear and uncertainty commonly associated with this disease.
On June 22, please join MSK experts for an interactive discussion of ideas for creating healthy eating plans for your lifestyle and budget at the “Eating Healthy on Budget” webinar. Everyone can benefit from adopting a healthier diet. Eating well doesn’t have to break the bank. Click here to register for the event!
DC 37 and Memorial Sloan Kettering have partnered to help union members screen for cancer, and receive care from the esteemed professionals at MSK. You can contact an MSK Direct care advisor through the DC 37 dedicated phone line at 833-786-3365. You can get personalized screening recommendations and tips on how to lower your risk for cancer HERE. Resources are available on DC 37's dedicated MSK Direct webpage. If you or a family member are impacted by cancer and would like to discuss treatment options, please visit the dedicated MSK webpage or call MSK Direct at 833-786-3365.
MEETINGS:
DC 37 PRIDE DIVERSITY INTEREST GROUP MEETING and PRIDE MONTH CELEBRATION JUNE 1 at 6 PM
PDIG kicks off PRIDE Month June 1 at 6 PM. To attend the virtual celebration on Ring Central, please REGISTER HERE. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1463245540 Meeting ID: 146 324 5540 Password: 817831, or connect by phone: 646-357-3664. The PDIG meets on the 2nd Monday of the month (except July and August). Committee Chair Jeff Oshins, Local 3005 President, will lead the event. For more information, please email [email protected].
DC 37 HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETS JUNE 6 at 6 PM
Please join DC 37 Housing Committee’s virtual meeting on June 6 at 6 PM. Housing Committee Chair Dennis Ifill, who is President of Local 1359, will discuss housing issues, resources and upcoming events. You must register HERE to attend. For more information email Dennis Ifill at [email protected], call Savi Boyer, Municipal Employees Housing Program, 212-815-1139 or email [email protected].
CIVIL SERVICE COMMITTEE MEETS JUNE 8 at 6 PM
The DC 37 Civil Service Committee will meet virtually June 8 at 6 PM. Committee Chair and SEIU Local 371 President Anthony Wells will lead the discussion on ZOOM, join HERE. Meeting ID: 840 6190 9853 Passcode: 925632.
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE MEETS JUNE 9 at 6 PM
Join the DC 37 Political Action Committee’s virtual meeting June 9 at 6 P M. To register to attend please visit HERE. Call the Political Action Department at 212-815-1550 for information.
DC 37 DISABILITY COMMITTEE MEETS JUNE 14 at 6 PM
The DC 37 Disability Advisory Committee will meet virtually on June 14 at 6:00 P M. The committee meets the second Tuesday of each month. Join via Ring Central from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1455418632. For the best audio experience, please use computer audio. Or iPhone one-tap: US: +1(646)3573664,,1455418632#. For information email Committee Chair Laura Morand at [email protected].
DC 37 WOMEN'S COMMITTEE MEETS JUNE 22 at 6 PM
The DC 37 Women's Committee will meet June 22 at 6 PM virtually on Ring Central. Please register at dc37local.com/wcm to attend. For more information, please email Caribbean Heritage Committee Chair, Local 420 President Carmen Charles: [email protected].
DC 37 LATINO HERITAGE COMMITTEE MEETS JUNE 27 and JOINS THE ANNUAL PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE JUNE 12
The DC 37 Latino Heritage Committee will meet virtually on MONDAY JUNE 27 at 6 PM. Join Committee Chair Doris Hernandez Murphy on Zoom, register HERE Meeting ID: 840 6190 9853 Passcode: 925632. The committee will participate in the 2022 annual Puerto Rican Day Parade on Fifth Ave., in Manhattan, on Sunday, June 12. For details and more information, please email Committee Chair Doris Hernandez Murphy at:
[email protected].
CARIBBEAN HERITAGE COMMITTEE CELEBRATION JUNE 29 at 6 PM
The DC 37 Caribbean Heritage Committee will meet June 29 at 6 PM to celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month at Local 420's midtown headquarters and virtually on Ring Central. For more information, please email Caribbean Heritage Committee Chair, Local 420 President Carmen Charles: [email protected].
DC 37 CLIMATE JUSTICE COMMITTEE
The DC 37 Climate Justice Committee meets the first and third Tuesday of every month. To join, please email Committee Chair Jon Forster at: [email protected].
LOCAL 372's ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER DINNER-DANCE JUNE 17 at 6 PM
Board of Education Employees Local 372 will hold its 18th annual scholarship fundraiser dinner-dance at Russo’s on the Bay in Queens on Friday, June 17, from 6 to 11 PM. For tickets and information, please call Janice Sutherland, 212-815-1372.
WORKWELL NYC
EMBRACING IDENTITY, UNDERSTANDING INTERSECTIONALITY, JUNE 8 at 12 PM
In some way, we all have different versions of ourselves. Having them all be recognized and embraced speaks to the core of intersectionality. Join Workwell NYC virtually to explore intersectionality and how we collaborate to build safer, more inclusive workspaces. Register HERE.
MENTAL WELLNESS BLOCK PARTY, JUNE 9 at 11:30 AM
Save the date! Join WorkWell NYC's "Mental Wealth Block Party” on THURSDAY June 9, from 11:30 AM to 2 PM, outside of DCAS Municipal Building at 1 Centre St., in Lower Manhattan. Connect with your colleagues, participate in fun activities, and collect wellness tips and prizes! You will be sure to leave with fun ideas and great resources that will boost your self-care routine. Learn more HERE.
MENTAL WELLNESS at the WORKPLACE WEBINARS
Are you looking to learn more about building supportive workspaces but short on time? Check out WorkWell NYC’s just-released "Let's Talk" Mental Wellness on-demand webinars, where we explore topics such as self-care, building supportive networks, work-life harmony and challenging irrational thoughts in 15 minutes or less. Watch here: on.nyc.gov/ondemand.
To see a full list of WorkWell NYC events, visit: on.nyc.gov/upcomingevents.
MELS:
COVID-19 UPDATE:
New York State Homeowners Assistance Fund – Up to $50,000 Available for Distressed Home, Coop and CondoMINIUM Owners
Homeowners at risk of foreclosure or displacement due to a financial hardship suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for up to $50,000 through the New York State Homeowner Assistance Fund. There are income and other eligibility requirements. To apply and to get more information, visit: New York State Homeowner Assistance Fund or call 844-77-NYHAF or 844-776-9423. If you own a home, coop or condo and are in need of legal assistance or help navigating the Homeowner Assistance Program, please call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111.
STUDENT LOAN FORBEARANCE EXTENSION UPDATE
On April 6, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education announced a further extension of the CARES Act student loan forbearance. The pause on direct student loan payments, interest accrual and collection activity on direct student loans in default, will remain in place through August 31, 2022. Payments resume Sept. 1. The new extension includes a “fresh start” program, which erases the default and delinquency status on late payments for millions of borrowers.
The pause does not apply to Parent Plus loans, Perkins loans, or FFELP loans. Members with
questions about the extension are encouraged to contact the DC 37 MELS Screening and Intake office at 212- 815-1111 to speak with an attorney.
STUDENT LOAN FORBEARANCE
To take advantage of the temporary waiver (see below), otherwise qualified borrowers with indirect student loans, or borrowers who simply have a history of repayment on non-qualifying plans, must consolidate their indirect loans; select an income driven repayment plan, and submitted the PSLF Employer Certification form by October 31, 2022. Doing so will allow the borrower to receive credit for payments made on any plan.
Whether your loan is in default, you need assistance in qualifying for PSLF, you wish to learn how switching to an income driven repayment plan will affect your cost, or you just want help understanding student loans, MELS can help. To connect with a MELS attorney, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111.
PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS TEMPORARY WAIVER
On October 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education temporarily waived a number of the requirements borrowers who qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) must meet. The waiver period expires on October 31, 2022. Appropriate steps must be taken prior to that date in order to take advantage of the benefits of the waiver.
WAIVER of the QUALIFYING REPAYMENT PLAN OPTIONS
Under the traditional rules, to qualify for PSLF a borrower working full-time in a qualified employment was required to make 120 payments toward their direct federal student loan debt pursuant to one of the four income driven repayment plan options: PAYE, RE-PAYE, Income Based Repayment or Income Contingent Repayment. The repayment plan requirement is temporarily waived. During the waiver period, payments made on any plan will count toward PSLF.
BORROWERS with FFEL and PERKINS LOANS
Borrowers with FFEL and Perkins loans now have an improved pathway to PSLF. Under the traditional rules, only direct federal student loans qualified for PSLF. Borrowers with FFEL loans and Perkins loans had to consolidate into a direct consolidated federal loan in order to qualify for PSLF. Payments made prior to consolidation did not count toward PSLF. During the waiver period, borrowers must still consolidate. However, provided a borrower consolidates during the waiver period, payments made prior to consolidation, on any repayment plan, will count toward PSLF. For information on the appropriate steps to take, affected members and their eligible family members can call MELS at 212.815.1111.
FAMILIES:
PAID FAMILY LEAVE BENEFIT
The New York State Paid Family Leave benefit is 12 weeks. The maximum weekly paid benefit is $971.61 or $1,943 bi-weekly. This union-negotiated benefit is available to nearly all DC 37 members, including members in the six nonprofit and private sector locals. For details about the PFL benefit, please contact your union representative. To access the 2022 PFL benefits calculator, visit: https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/PFLbenefitscalculator2022.
For information on childcare, summer camp and other special programs for New York City residents: Visit here.
EDUCATION:
AFSCME FREE 4-YEAR COLLEGE
AFSCME offers a free 4-year college program to members and their immediate family. You can go to college for free from anywhere in the country. You must have a High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Diploma to enroll. To participate, all you need is a computer and an internet connection. For more information, visit HERE.
DC 37 EDUCATION FUND:
LABOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM at CUNY
Did you know that DC37 has established a new partnership with the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies? This program is specifically for eligible members interested in learning more about the labor movement and building worker power. Students take four college-level courses with tuition fully funded by the DC37 Education Fund—earning 12 to 16 credits toward SLU’s Master’s degree in Labor Studies, Bachelor’s degree in Labor Studies, Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies (with a concentration in labor studies) and the Undergraduate and Graduate Certificates in Labor Relations. Education is power – start your journey today and check out these 6 Great Reasons to Enroll at CUNY SLU. Apply here: www.dc37edfund.org/cunyslu. For more information, please call: 212-815-1700.
PLANNING TO RETURN TO OR START COLLEGE IN FALL 2022? MEET WITH A CUNY COUNSELOR VIRTUALLY
Now is the ideal time to apply for Fall 2022 enrollment at the CUNY college of your choice. Let Worker Education at the CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies (SLU) help guide you through the process of finding the best CUNY program to match your education and career goals. Expert advisors offer FREE one-on-one phone sessions on academic requirements for specific jobs; choosing a CUNY campus and major; applying to and financing a CUNY degree; certificate and non-credit options at CUNY; transferring previous credits, and more. Each session is free and caters to your specific goals and needs. To view the calendar and schedule your CUNY advisement session, visit: https://cunydays.eventbrite.com.. Can't find a date/time that works for you? Email: [email protected].
FREE COLLEGE PROGRAMS FOR LOCAL 372 MEMBERS IN SPECIFIC JOB TITLES
LOCAL 372 PARAPROFESSIONALS can earn 18 credits annually towards a degree in Human Services through a partnership with Monroe College. To enroll for the Fall 2022 term, complete an online application: www.dc37edfund.org/monroectpcandidateform. For questions, email: [email protected].
LOCAL 372 MEMBERS WORKING in SCHOOL FOOD can earn an associate's degree in Nutrition and Culinary Management through a partnership with LaGuardia Community College. For more details on the food services management program, see the flyer HERE. We are at capacity for the Fall 2022 term but if you are interested in enrolling for the Spring 2023 term, complete an online application at www.dc37edfund.org/laguardiacandidateform. For questions, email: [email protected].
EDUCATION AND CAREER COUNSELING
Do you need guidance selecting a class from our offerings, updating a resume or need assistance reaching a career or educational goal? To contact an Ed Fund counselor, click here to schedule a virtual appointment.
UPDATE: THE GED EXAM HAS CHANGED AGAIN
In January 2022, the name of the exam is the GED again but the format has also changed. There are now four subtests instead of five. The Reading and Writing subtests are combined to form the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) subtest. The other three subtests remain: Social Studies, Science and Mathematical Reasoning. Passing scores from previous exams will count towards the passing scores. However, the exam is a Computer Based Test (CBT). Each test taker must create their own GED account to schedule an exam. To create the GED account, go to http://www.ged.com. For more information on Education Fund GED classes, email [email protected].
IN-PERSON GED CLASSES THIS JULY AND AUGUST
The Education Fund’s partners at Hostos Community College and Kingsborough Community College are offering in person classes starting in July in either English or Spanish. Virtual classes are still available as well if you prefer. Classes start as early as July 5, and some classes end September 15. To apply to High School Equivalency in English with CUNY Hostos for this summer, click HERE. If you prefer to attend classes at CUNY Kingsborough in Brooklyn, click HERE. If you prefer to take these classes in Spanish, click HERE.
