Union Events, Services and News Update

GET OUT THE VOTE!

Join our Political Action Volunteer Member Organizer (VMO) team to help us get candidates elected who will fight to protect jobs and services in our community! Volunteers will participate in member-to-member door knocking and site visits. DC37 Members and family members over 18 years old are eligible.

Members selected for the VMO team can sign up for as many shifts as their schedule allows and will receive a stipend for their volunteer time at $25/hour for door knocking.

Please use the links below to sign up in your borough!

A list of DC 37’s endorsements for the June 27 Primary Election is available here.

DC 37 RETIREE AETNA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN

Attend a conference call with live Q&A about the upcoming transition to the Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan for DC 37 Retirees.

Dial 1-800-920-2986 on any of the dates and times below to call in:

  • Wednesday, May 31, at 11 a.m.
  • Tuesday, June 6, at 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 7, at 2 p.m.
  • Monday, June 12, at 2 p.m.

DC 37 and the DC 37 Health & Security (H&S) Plan will continue to provide prescription drug coverage to our Medicare-eligible retirees. There is no need for you to enroll, make any election, or pay any monthly premiums for your retiree prescription drug coverage. Effective September 1, 2023, you will remain a participant in the DC 37 Aetna/SilverScript Retiree Prescription Drug Plan at zero ($0) cost to you through the DC 37 H&S Plan.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the DC 37 H&S Inquiry Unit at 212- 815-1234.

CELEBRATE PRIDE MONTH WITH DC 37

The DC 37 Pride Diversity Interest Group cordially invites you to help celebrate 2023 Pride Month. The theme for this year is ‘Strength through Equality.’

RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY

Start the month right by joining us for the annual Ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome the opening of Pride month Thursday, June 1, at 6:30 p.m. via Ring Central: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1477628694

This year’s guest speaker will be Anthony Harmon, Director of Staff at the United Federation of Teachers. Additional guest speakers will join us to send salutations and warm wishes for a great Pride month.

NEW QUEENS PRIDE PARADE AND MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL

Join PDIG and march in this year’s annual New Queens Pride Parade and Multicultural Festival on Sunday, June 4, from 12-6 p.m.

If you are interested in marching along with PDIG, please reach out to: Jeff Oshins, PDIG Co-Chair, at [email protected] Visit the Queens Pride site at www.newqueenspride.org for additional information.

LGBTQ+ PRONOUNS

Join us on Flag Day, Wednesday, June 14, at 7 p.m. for a brief and informal discussion on pronouns conducted by Jeffrey Aronowitz. Join us at https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1479507492 Password: 819056

SUPPORTING OUR LGBTQ+ YOUTH

The MELS Social Work Department, Personal Services Unit and DC 37 Pride Diversity Interest Group are joining forces for a special virtual Pride Month event on Thursday, June 22, from 6-7:30 p.m. Please join us and special guests The Trevor Project and PFLAG NYC in learning more about how to protect, support and celebrate our LGBTQ+ youth.

Parents, guardians and friends of LGBTQ+ youth will learn:

  • How to support LGBTQ+ youth
  • The ABC's of LGBTQ+
  • Mental Health Awareness
  • How to be an Ally
  • Resources for parents and children

Special Guest Speakers from both the Trevor Project and PFLAG NYC will be joining us for a program on Supporting Our LGBTQ+ Youth.

** Registration is required for this event: https://ringcentr.al/422cFpR

For more information, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111, or email [email protected].

DC 37 HOUSING COMMITTEE

Please join the DC 37 Housing Committee’s virtual meeting on Monday, June 12 at 6 p.m. Housing Committee Chair Dennis Ifill, President of Local 1359, will discuss housing issues, resources, and upcoming events. You must register HERE to attend.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: WHAT’S IN THE CARDS FOR NYCHA?

NYCHA Residents To Vote on the Future of Their Development: Learn About the Option and How Residents Can Vote.

Guest Speakers:

Iziah Thompson, Senior Policy Analyst, Community Service Society
Harrison Campbell, President, Local 957, NYCHA Clerical Employees

Click HERE to register.

For more information, contact Dennis Ifill at [email protected] or Savi Boyer, Municipal Employees Housing Program, at 212-815-1139 and [email protected].

HOMEBUYER ORIENTATION WEBINAR

DC 37 Municipal Employees Housing Program (MEHP) will hold a free virtual Homebuyer Orientation Webinar for DC 37 members and retirees Wednesday, June 28, at 6 p.m. Housing and mortgage experts will discuss how to prepare to buy a home, affordable mortgage options, down payment and closing costs assistance, and more. Please register HERE or call 212-815-1814. Registrants will get a meeting link on June 28.

LATINO HERITAGE COMMITTEE

NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE

Join the DC 37 Latino Heritage Committee as it marches in the 66th annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade, on Sunday, June 11, at 11 a.m. DC 37 members and retirees will march up Fifth Avenue in this annual celebration of the culture and contributions of Puerto Ricans.

Please RSVP no later than Friday, June 9, to [email protected].

Please note: Capacity for participation is limited. Wristbands are required to enter the staging area and to march in the parade.

2023 CARIBBEAN HERITAGE CELEBRATION

Please join SSEU Local 371 for the 2012 Caribbean Heritage Celebration on Friday, June 9, at 5-9 p.m. The theme will be The Caribbean Odyssey: Roots, Rebellion and Resistance.

Via Zoom: (link on the union website: mightyunion.org). In-Person: 111-26 142nd St., Queens; 1680 East 51st St., Brooklyn.

YOUNG PEOPLE'S DAY CAMP

The Young People's Day Camp of Queens, located in Alley Pond Park in Bayside with an inclement weather indoor site in Elmhurst, offers a special union member price for camp at $400 per week. This price includes transportation, swimming twice a week and trips at least once a week as well as breakfast and lunch every day, except Wednesday. Wednesday is a trip day and campers must bring their own lunch (breakfast snack is still provided). We also offer optional lunch packages.

We can honor all DC 37 childcare vouchers. We have a 10% sibling discount, as well as payment plans.

Join the informational call at 7 p.m. every Thursday:

Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7933124004?pwd=VHNpWUM3NzRaUTZsTE5BV3B3Vkxydz09

Meeting ID: 793 312 4004

Passcode: YPDC

Spaces are filling up fast!

MSK

MSK DIRECT WEBINAR: YOUR RIGHT TO BE HEALTHY
(Thursday, June 8, 2023; 1-2 p.m., ET)

Even though access to health care is a basic right, there are barriers to health that affect you and your community. Health disparities are things that get in the way of getting care. They affect some communities more than others.

Please join as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) doctors Michelle Johnson and Fiyinfolu Balogun talk with you about important cancer care topics, including:

Cancer health disparities and what they are

Speaking up for yourself and family members

Programs and resources offered by MSK and MSK Direct

To register for the webinar, click here or visit:

meetmsk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZjN7Co3xQTu-ff4wKlitDg

DC 37 has a partnership with MSK Direct to provide employees, and their families dedicated access to exceptional cancer care, support, and expert resources from the world's leading cancer specialists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). If you or a family member are impacted by cancer and would like to discuss treatment options at MSK, call the dedicated MSK Direct phone line for DC 37 employees: 833-786-3365 or mskcc.org/dc37.

EDUCATION FUND

FALL 2023 REGISTRATION BEGINS IN JUNE

Registration for the FALL 2023 semester with the union's Education Fund will be available on the DC 37 website in June. Keep checking the website by clicking HERE for information on classes, upcoming schedules or to register for a program.

DC 37 GREEN JOBS TRAINING PROGRAM IS BACK AND ITS EXPANDING!

The DC37 Education Fund is happy to announce its Green Jobs Training Expansion Program, a grant-funded training program for eligible DC 37 members to receive free, hands-on instruction in areas of need within the green economy and energy sector. Some of the training courses include Energy Auditing, Multifamily and Commercial Building Analyst, Carbon Accounting, LEED Green Associate, Energy Benchmarking and Construction Management. These courses and more will prepare members for certifications and licenses offered and recognized by the Building Performance Institute, Urban Green Council and Association of Energy Engineers. If you are interested in more information on these courses and what this training can provide for you, click HERE.

NYC CAREER MAPS

The DC 37 Education Fund and CUNY’s New York City Labor Market Information Service (NYCLMIS), have created career maps to promote the career development of the DC 37 membership. These online maps identify, illustrate and describe opportunities for advancement for selected covered job titles.

Career maps are available for the following fields: (1) Administrative and Data-Focused Health Care; (2)HVAC-R; (3) IT Networking; (4) Parks and Recreation; (5) Patient-Care Focused Health Care, and (6) Software Development. You can view these maps HERE.  

Be on the lookout for more Ed Fund career maps in the near future. For information, call the DC 37 Ed Fund at 212-815-1700 or email [email protected].

DC 37/CUNY LABOR CERTIFICATE & DEGREE PROGRAMS

The DC 37 Education Fund has partnered with the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies (SLU) to expand higher educational opportunities to develop the next generation of union leaders. The Education Fund will cover tuition for four courses (up to 16 credits where applicable) in certificate and degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, excluding books and a one-time application fee required by CUNY. Eligible members may opt to participate in one of the following tracks:

Undergraduate Certificate in Labor Relations

Bachelor’s Degree in Urban and Community Relations

Graduate Certificate in Labor Relations

Master’s Degree in Labor Studies

For information or to register to attend an information session, click HERE.

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? Contact an Ed Fund counselor HERE to schedule a virtual appointment.

CUNY COUNSELING IS HERE FOR YOU!

This is the ideal time to plan for FALL 2023 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 catered to your specific goals and needs. There are still dates in December available to meet with an advisor.

View the calendar and schedule your CUNY advisement session here https://cunydays.eventbrite.com/. Can't find a date/time that works for you? Email [email protected].

UPDATE: THE GED IS BACK!

Since January 2022, the High School Equivalency exam is the GED again. However, there are changes to the exam and the way you schedule your test. There are four subtests on the exam instead of five. In addition to Mathematical Reasoning, Social Studies, and Science, the Reading and Writing are combined in a subtest called Reasoning Through Language Arts. The good news is that passing scores from the tests taken between 2002 and 2021 count towards earning your diploma.

You must create your own GED account to schedule an exam. Information about the GED exam can be found at ged.com. The exams are primarily offered online and must be taken at an official GED testing center.

DC 37 offers prep classes for eligible members online, in person and hybrid through our partner colleges and are available in English and Spanish. For additional information or to schedule an appointment with an Educational Counselor, 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. For more details on the program, see the flyer HERE. To begin the process to enroll for the Fall 2023 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 Nutrition & Culinary Management Program, see the flyer HERE. To begin the process to enroll for the Fall 2023 term, complete an online application at www.dc37edfund.org/laguardiacandidateform. For questions, email: [email protected]

PLEASE NOTE: A high school diploma or equivalency is required to attend these college programs. Transfer credits may be accepted.

***
Save the Date

Labor Day Parade

Saturday, September 9, 2023
More information to come!