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 local1482@gmail.com. 

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 local1482@gmail.com. 

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

We deeply thank the membership of Local 1482 for participating in our Day of Action on Wednesday and making it a success.  It looks like most of our work locations were represented, often with full participation.  We hope the day promoted a sense of teamwork and solidarity throughout all of the agencies represented by Local 1482. 

We've heard that numerous library visitors noticed the shirts, hats, and buttons, and asked what they were about.  Thank you for responding to their questions, and for helping to raise awareness that the city's libraries run thanks to the hard work and dedication of staff who belong to a public sector union.

Also, many thanks to members who took photos and have forwarded them to us. If you have photos, send them in!  We'll add them to the slideshow.  You can email them to local1482@gmail.com. Also send us your stories, anecdotes and impressions from the day.

As of this posting, there is still no decision issued from the Supreme Court on the Janus vs. AFSCME case.  It is expected any day now.  We encourage Local 1482 members to make a plan on how you will respond.  If you haven't already, you can sign up for action alerts from DC37.  Also, at 5:00 pm on the day of the ruling, there will be an Emergency Janus Protest/Union Power Rally is planned in Foley Square in Manhattan at 5:00 p.m. All union members--and their families and supporters--are invited.

Once again, thank you for your enthusiastic support of Local 1482's Day of Action, and for demonstrating that your union is proud and strong and ready to confront the future.

Local 1482 invites all members in Librarian titles to a special meeting next week on Wednesday, October 11th at 6:30 pm.  We will discuss librarian salaries and access to promotional opportunities.  This is your chance to have your questions answered and opinions heard.  The meeting will be held at DC37 headquarters at 125 Barclay St. in Manhattan. 

Please share this information with your friends and colleagues in librarian titles.

Do you have Federal student loans?  Are you concerned about how much the monthly payments are, or how long it will take to pay them off?  DC37 is holding a workshop on Wednesday, May 17th from 6 to 7:30 that will help you get on the path to eliminating student debt.  The workshop will be held at DC 37 headquarters at 125 Barclay St. in Manhattan.  It is free to union members, but space is limited.  Online advance registration is required. 

Please print out the workshop flier, found here, and post it in your agencies.

At last night's General Membership Meeting all in attendance heard about a couple of terrific opportunities.  One was about an upcoming workshop at DC37 on dealing with student loan debt.  The other outlined how members can earn an online Associates Degree for free via our parent union AFSCME.  Here are the details...

Erase Your Student Debt Workshop at DC37

Student debt is a serious crisis here in the United States, and members of DC37 and Local 1482 are not immune from it.  On Tuesday, October 18, DC37 will hold a free Erase Your Student Debt workshop from 6:00-7:30 pm at DC 37 Headquarters at 125 Barclay St. in Manhattan.  Get the help you need to get on the path towards eliminating your student debt.  Space is limited and online registration is required.  You can register here.

Print out the workshop flier, post in your agencies, and share it with your colleagues.

The AFSCME Free College Benefit

It is AFSCME's mission to give its members every advantage to get ahead.  In partnership with Eastern Gateway Community College in Ohio, they are offering FREE online Associates Degrees in the Arts, Business Management and Criminal Justice.  Early Childhood Education will be available in 2017.  AFSCME's Free College Benefit is available to all members of AFSCME, which includes members of DC37 and Local 1482.  Again, it's 100% FREE!!!

Do you dream of owning a home someday?  Did you know DC37 has a  program that helps first-time homeowners negotiate the often-complex process of financing and securing the purchase of condos, co-ops and houses?  It's called the Municipal Employees Housing Program and a representative of the program will speak at our upcoming General Membership Meeting on February 2nd. 

Come hear how the program can help you with mortgage and legal advice as well as how you might be eligible to receive a grant for a down payment.  The presentation will also outline how you can take advantage of affordable rental lotteries with a 5% preference for NYC employees. 

The services MEHP offers can save you money, time, and uncertainty.  Whether you plan to buy a home soon or farther into the future, bring your questions and learn how the MEHP can be an invaluable partner or yours throughout your  journey towards home ownership.  

Image via Flickr, Diana Parkhouse