In this issue:

• Solidarity Season: our DCWP members help Starbucks Strikers win $39 million settlement
  
• New Year, New You: Step Up & Lead in Your Workplace & Union
• B-HEARD Program Social Workers
  
• Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCATs) in Action
  
• We Honor Daniel “Danny” Haywood
• Join us! Upcoming meetings
  
• Contribute! Share your story

Solidarity Season: our DCWP members help Starbucks Strikers win $39 million settlement

Starbucks agreed to pay $39 Million in a Landmark N.Y.C. Labor Law Settlement. Big shout out to Haley Shaffer and all of our members at Dept of Consumer and Worker Protection, who led an investigation and found that Starbucks had violated the law more than half a million times since 2021 by failing to provide workers with stable schedules. More than 15,000 hourly workers are expected to receive restitution payments under the agreement.

Support Starbucks workers on strike in 65+ cities. Show your solidarity: don’t shop at Starbucks. Let your friends, coworkers know as well: No contract, no coffee. Period. #NoContractNoCoffee: https://seiu.co/NoStarbucks. 

New Year, New You: Step Up & Lead in Your Workplace & Union

Want to build a better world in 2026? Become a DC37 Shop Steward. Learn powerful workplace organizing skills.

This comprehensive 10-session course is designed to equip DC 37 members with a strong foundation in the critical role of a Shop Steward.

You’ll Learn:

• How to be a Shop Steward
• Workplace organizing essentials
• DC 37’s structure, benefits & services
• How to be an effective union representative

Apply now to get your spot! Classes are Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Jan. 8-Mar. 12) Online. Learn more and apply here.Classes are Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Jan. 8-Mar. 12) Online, Learn more and apply today.

All DC 37 members are welcome—no prerequisites required. Questions: (212) 815-1700 or email [email protected]. 

B-HEARD Program Social Workers 

Social Workers in the B-HEARD program met with our Local President, Carmen De León, to discuss and listen to concerns around proposed program changes. Our Local supports the program’s management being moved from FDNY to H+H, which already employs the program’s Social Workers.

Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCATs) in Action

LCAT Rajesh Kamal Mehra reports: Licensed Creative Arts Therapists in Local 768 have begun organizing an LCAT Chapter to strengthen our collective voice, support one another across facilities, and advance our profession within the system. As many of us work with some of the most complex patient populations and in some of the most challenging clinical environments, we can work toward elevating recognition of the essential role LCATs play in patient care and within interdisciplinary teams. We can also aim to support clearer and more consistent pathways for professional growth, advancement, and to create a connected space where LCATs share experiences, collaborate, and build momentum together.

Our leadership team is taking shape. Gabrielle Fidis is currently serving as Acting Chair, and I am serving as Secretary. We are now seeking a third LCAT to join us in a leadership role as Chair or Vice Chair. This role will help guide the chapter as we continue building structure, representation, and long-term direction.

If you would like to be involved or step into leadership, please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected]. We welcome anyone who wants to help shape a collaborative and supportive space for our profession.

We are also united with 2,000+ Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCATs) in New York State organizing to improve access to affordable mental healthcare for all New Yorkers. Bill A3319/ S1001 will give NY families the option to use their health insurance to cover psychotherapy provided by LCATs. It is waiting for Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature. It will take a BIG collective effort to win this.

Please talk to your colleagues and friends. Tell them why this matters & remind them that we as a profession have lost the parity we previously had with our fellow licensed mental health providers. Please share widely: with the press, on social media (you can use the graphic below), and beyond. 

We expect the bill will go to the Governor’s desk in early-mid December. We will be hold a series of daily community Zooms so we can take specific actions together for the biggest impact.

Please remember — it took 10 years (and multiple versions and one veto) for the commercial health insurance bill for LMHC/LMFT/LPs to get signed. We have had this LCAT commercial insurance bill for less than 3 years.

We Honor Daniel “Danny” Haywood

We want to take a moment to honor the memory of our colleague, Daniel “Danny” Haywood, a Level 3 Creative Arts Therapist at H+H/Bellevue, who passed away on November 21 after a series of heart attacks. Danny leaves behind his wife and their 16 year old son. Danny was an incredible human being and an exceptional Creative Arts Therapist, someone who elevated those around him and brought light to the work.

Join us! Upcoming meetings

Join us for these upcoming events:

• Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 am, DC 37 Municipal Employees Housing Program First-Time Homebuyer’s Workshop Register HERE.
• Tuesday, December 9, 6:30 pm, Join the DC 37 Climate Justice Committee for an evening of discussion, organizing, and strategy-building around how climate impacts our worksites—and what we can do collectively to protect workers and the communities we serve. Everyone is welcome! RSVP here.
• Friday, December 12, 12-1:30 pm, DCWP Inspectors Lunchtime Meeting (lunch provided!), 42 Broadway, 9th Floor Lunchroom, RSVP here. 
• Wednesday December 17, 7-8:30 pm, MAT/ Stewards Meeting, Virtual, RSVP here. 
• Saturday, Dec. 20, 11 am, DC 37 Municipal Employees Housing Program First-Time Homebuyer’s Workshop Register HERE.Wednesday, January 21, 2026, MAT/ Stewards Committee, Virtual, RSVP here. 
• 2026: Become a Shop Steward! Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Jan. 8-Mar. 12) Online, Learn more and apply here.
• Save the date! Tuesday, March 3, 2026: DC 37 2026 Lobby Day, buses to Albany from DC 37 headquarters at 125 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10007. Register HERE to join.

Check out classes and education opportunities and more from DC 37. Sign up at dc37rewards.com or download the DC 37 Rewards mobile app. 

Share your appreciations

Who in our union family are you grateful for and why? Did someone bring you a cup of pro-union coffee? Help you write that grievance earlier this year? Share your appreciation of a coworker or fellow union member. We’ll share some highlights in our next newsletter (photos always welcome too). Email us or share at: https://www.local768.net/content_submission.

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