Contract Bargaining

Bargaining contracts is a core task of our union, and in DC37 this process can be challenging to follow. What is the Citywide Contract? What are Unit Contracts? Who is in the bargaining sessions? How do members provide input for bargaining? What are the topics we can bargain for?

Some of these questions have simple answers (like the difference between our Citywide and Unit contracts, which you can read about here), but others depend on how we build power, and how we use it. The local and the members can work together to win more because we deserve it. In order to accomplish this your involvement is required.

Didn't we just settle our contract?

On March 31st, DC37 members voted to ratify a new Economic Agreement, which is a sort of addendum to our other Citywide and Unit contracts, focusing on the broad outlines of the rules we will live under until Nov 6, 2026. However, many of the details (often covered by the Unit contracts) remain to be negotiated. That process will start soon, and we want Local 768 to be well prepared. To do that, we need to develop our goals together, and learn about powerful models of bargaining from other unions like ours around the country, with the help of some leaders from the Bargaining for the Common Good network.

Details *UPDATED 7/1/23*

Sat Jul 8:

• Time: 10:30am-3:00pm
• Place: Jay Suites
  • 15 West 38th Street (between 5th & 6th avenues), New York, NY (click for directions)
  • 2nd Floor (The Sinatra Room)

Sat Jul 15:

• Time: 10:30am-3:00pm
• NOTE *DIFFERENT PLACE*: People’s Forum (click for directions)
  
  • 320 West 37th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues), New York, NY
  • Ground floor (Violetta Parra area)

Food & drinks:

• Both locations offer water and coffee, though you are welcome to bring your own
• Assorted boxed lunch will be provided (with vegetarian options)

Attendance:

• We strongly encourage attendance both days because the content on the second day builds on the first, and does not repeat it. Nonetheless, if you can only come for one, we'd still encourage you to attend as much as you are able.

Background

Review our prep-document (also distributed at the training):

Local 768: Structure and context - This document reviews through the basic composition of our Local membership, the types of contracts we are covered under, and the processes for negotiating them.

Meet our trainers:

Bargaining for the Common Good is a national organization that helps unions and community groups strategize powerful campaigns, often focusing on the shared goals that public sector workers have with the communities we serve.