May 2022
May 2022 Issue
[The Public] is Local 768’s monthly bulletin compiled by members of Local 768. By giving updates on union developments and events between membership meetings, we hope to help inform members and encourage involvement in our union’s democracy.
Welcome new members! | Pension reforms & Juneteenth
768 for Phara | CUNY SLU program | Yankees 'Union Night'
Wed June 15 5pm
DC 37 CONTRACT RALLY
REGISTER HERE
Wed June 29 6:30pm - Gen. Member mtg |
Welcome new members!
As Summer approaches, Local 768 officers would like to,
Welcome all new members who have been hired since the beginning of the year. Congratulations on your new positions as City workers, and becoming members of DC37 Union and Local 768.
For all members of Local 768, thank you for your continued service to New York City and continuing to be Union members. Remember to go to dc37.net to sign up for all Union benefits.
Have a great Summer all -
Carmen De León,
President Local 768 DC37
AFSCME, AFL-CIO
Pension reform wins & a new paid holiday
Tier 6
What has changed?
With the new April 2022 NYS budget, Tier 6 has been reformed to allow public sector employees to vest in the pension after 5 years instead of 10 years. This includes those in Mayoral agencies, Health and Hospitals, NYCHA, DOE, School Construction Authority, Transit Authority, CUNY and the State.
Another change is that overtime will not be subject to the contribution rate, temporarily, for the two year period between 4/1/22 - 3/31/24.
What hasn't changed?
You will still need 10 years of service to be eligible for retiree medical coverage. There is no change to the pension formula, time required to get to a full service pension, or calculation of benefits. All employees in Tier 6 still pay a percentage towards their pension based on their salary for their entire career.
As more information becomes available we will share that with you.
Juneteenth
The holiday of Juneteenth has been added to the Citywide union agreement and will fall on Sunday, June 19 this year.
If you work on the actual holiday of the 19th, you get compensated with premium pay and a day. Monday, June 20th, 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 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.
Local 768 endorses Phara Souffrant Forrest
Local 768 is proud to endorse Phara Souffrant Forrest in her reelection to NYS Assembly in Brooklyn’s 57th district.
As a union nurse, tenant organizer, and new mom, she recognizes - like all good unionists - that the only way to counter organized money is with organized people. She has demonstrated in her first term what that looks like by shaking up the corrupt status quo in Albany and winning funding for social services and dignity for working people.
Local 768 joins the NYS AFL-CIO, healthcare workers 1199SEIU, National Association of Social Workers (NASW-NYC) and many other unions and grassroots organizations to continue the fight for her district on election day June 28. Members can learn more about her campaign at pharaforassembly.com.
Labor Education
Healthcare Leadership Certificate at CUNY SLU
Local 768 members may be interested to know about two important healthcare leadership certificates offered by CUNY School of Labor & Urban studies:
- Certificate in Health Care Leadership and Advocacy
- Advanced Certificate in Leading Change in Health Systems
These certificates can present a valuable opportunity to you in support of your professional, educational, and career development.
The ravaging effects of COVID-19 continue to reshape how the public health system cares for its patients, and our positions as professionals within the system. The curriculum for this program is designed to help members gain a deeper understanding of healthcare-related issues and enable you to build practical responses to public and organizational policies.
Courses meet one evening per week, carry academic credit, and are fully transfer into the B.A. in Urban and Community Studies or M.A. in Urban Studies.
Funding is readily available--in addition to DC37 Education Fund Tuition Reimbursement annually for eligible members, SLU provides significant Scholarships opportunities every semester. Applications are now being accepted for admission to the fall 2022 semester, submission deadline July 15.
We would welcome the opportunity to provide a brief presentation on the program to your members either as an Information Session or at the beginning of a Local 768 meeting or other event. Please let me know a good time and number to call to discuss this possibility.
To learn more about the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, please visit our website www.slu.cuny.edu, phone (646) 313-8300, or email [email protected].
Labor Leadership Program at CUNY SLU
DC 37 and the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies has also expanded their educational partnership to include four new college-level programs in labor studies to develop the next generation of union leaders:
- Undergraduate Certificate in Labor Relations
- Bachelor’s Degree in Urban and Community Relations
- Graduate Certificate in Labor Relations
- Master’s Degree in Labor Studies
The DC 37 Education Fund will cover tuition for 4 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.
Learn more and apply HERE. For more information, please call: 212-815-1700.
Yankees "Union Night" 2022
The NY Yankees will be having "Union Night" on Friday, July 29th, 2022 vs. the Kansas City Royals. This game is to acknowledge Union members throughout the Tri-State area, and can be bought for friends and family as well.
All discounted tickets ranging from $45-85 include a game seat, a hot dog, a 12 oz drink (beer, soda, water), and a Free custom New York Yankees Union Night T shirt!
Purchase tickets here at https://offer.fevo.com/union-special--d357ace?ref=POWELL
| Want to contribute to the next Local 768 Newsletter? Email [email protected] with your draft or idea. The deadline for submissions for the next issue (Summer 2022) has been extended to June 30th, 2022. |