Dear Center for Urban Community Services Board of Trustees and Acting CEO Dr. Van Yu:
We, Local 768/New York City Health Services Employees of District Council 37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, are writing to voice our strong support for the Center for Urban Community Services Workers’ Union as they negotiate their first union contract.
Our Local represents nearly 4,000 civil servants in NYC working in 50 different title groups across NYC Health & Hospitals, DOHMH, and other governmental agencies. Similarly, the CUCS workers’ union includes case managers, social workers, peer specialists, housing consultants, office managers, and administrative assistants-all of whom work on the front lines of housing and homeless services in NYC. Local 768 recognizes that the continuity of quality care and services that is provided to many of the same marginalized populations that we both serve is predicated on the ability of its workforce to have a strong voice on the job that allows these workers to advocate for themselves and their clients. However, it is only through collective bargaining and the securing of a fair contract that this can be accomplished.
CUCS prides itself on “helping people rise from poverty, exit homelessness, and be healthy.” However, some of the union’s members are one missed paycheck away from homelessness themselves. It is unacceptable that many full time employees of a prominent and respected social service agency still rely on welfare benefits to get by. CUCS Workers cannot care for New York City’s most vulnerable residents when their basic needs are not being met. Workers sometimes have to choose between going to the doctor and paying rent. They must be paid a living wage to support their clients.
We stand in solidarity with the workers at CUCS and support any actions they take to demand a fair contract. We urge you to negotiate a fair contract in good faith with the workers and compensate them for the essential services they provide to the greater New York City community.
Sincerely,
Local 768 / DC 37
