Ballots to vote on the new economic contract between DC37 and the City of New York were mailed to members' home addresses last week.  If you do not receive your ballot, reach out to a member of the Executive Board or send an email to [email protected]. 

The vote is being run by the American Arbitration Association, and ballots are due there no later than 9:00 am on Wednesday, August 14th.  Please mail in your ballots as soon as you can! 

It is important to follow the instructions for preparing your ballot, or it will be deemed invalid and will not count.  Voting instructions are found on the other side of the purple ballot.  Please read them carefully before marking your ballot or sealing it in the enclosed envelopes. 

We encourage members to vote 'Yes' on this agreement.  Besides providing raises totaling 7.42% over the 44 months of the contract, the contract is also notable for not including any givebacks on healthcare and promises increases in education and workplace skills training. 

If you have any questions about the contract, or the voting process, please reach out to a member of the Executive Board or send an email to [email protected]. 

There were a couple of major news stories this week you may have missed...

DC37 Reaches Tentative Agreement with the City for New Economic Contract
On June 25, DC37 reached a tentative agreement with the City on a new economic contract.  The 44-month contract provides 7.42% in wage hikes to the 100,000 members of DC 37, which includes members of Local 1482.  The previous contract expired in September, 2017.  The wage increases break down as follows: 

• Effective September 26, 2017 – 2.00%
• Effective September 26, 2018 – 2.25% compounded
• Effective October 26, 2019 – 3.0% compounded

The contract also preserves premium-free health insurance for DC37 members and retirees at least through 2021, due to negotiations with the Municipal Labor Council, which represents all the unions of all city workers.  In addition, DC37 and the City agreed to work together to opt-in to the New York Family Leave program by January, 2019.

The contract was approved by DC37 delegates.  Soon, secret ballots will be sent to all members to vote on the contract.  We'll share the dates the ballots will be distributed, and when they are due, once they are announced. 

You can read more about the contract about the contract at the DC37 website here and here.

Supreme Court Rules Against AFSCME in a 5-4 Decision in Janus vs. AFSCME Case
On Wednesday, the five justices in the majority vote of the Janus vs. AFSCME case dismantled 40 years of legal precedent by undermining public workers and their unions in favor of privileged, wealthy corporate interests.  The effects of this decision could eventually gut healthcare benefits, wages, and the ability to protect workplace health and safety of public sector workers. 

The five justices in the majority ruled that mandating agency fees for non-members is unconstitutional under the First Amendment.  Agency fees are paid by workers who choose not to belong in the union, but are represented by the union for contract bargaining, grievances, and other functions.  The court also ruled that unions must continue to represent non-members even if they opt out of paying agency fees.  This decision is designed to diminish revenue and erode membership and influence.

This article in Vox provides a solid overview on the significance of the Janus vs. AFSCME decision if you want to read more. 

You can read reaction from DC37 on the decision here and here.

Finally, if you have not yet signed a card to join or recommit to DC37, you can either reach out to a member of the Executive Board to provide you with a card, or you can sign up online on the DC37 site.  Encourage your coworkers and friends to fill out a card as well!  Our strength is in our numbers, and it will be through collective action that we can fight inequality and attacks on workers