Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Technical Professional Employees Local 3652

           

Across the Nation, Workers Are Striking Like It’s 1986

Last year, nearly half a million workers went on strike across the nation, the largest number since 1986, when

National AFSCME News

  • City Achieves a Pathway to Pay Parity for Early Childhood Education Providers
    By RUDY OROZCO On November 18, Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYC City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Labor Relations Commissioner Renee Campion, and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza announced a pathway to pay parity between certified early childhood education teachers and entry-rate Department of Education salaries by October 2021. The announcement honors the promise made by the Mayor and City Council to achieve pay parity for community-based childhood education providers as part of the FY 2020 budget agreement back in June. It also builds on the wage parity agreements reached earlier this year between DC 37 Private Sector Locals 205 and 95 and will help address issues of recruitment and retention. “Today’s announcement marks a long-sought milestone in economic justice for the dedicated workers who provide thousands of our city’s children with the care and education they need during their early years,” said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. “Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Johnson are to be commended for honoring their commitment to provide these hardworking men and women with a path to wage parity with their DOE counterparts.” “In June, we committed to creating a pathway to pay parity for community-based childhood education providers, and in less than six months [...] — Nov 18
  • Youngest Local President Elected
    By DIANE S. WILLIAMS When members elected Donique Berry president of Local 3778 New York City Police Department Civilian Unit in July, the 23-year-old scientist became the youngest local president in District Council 37. “This is my first job out of college,” Berry said. “All I knew is that having a union means they can’t fire me. Now I realize there is much more.” Local 3778 launched in 2018 to represent 15 science and engineering titles at NYPD. A coworker nominated Berry for secretary and she did not shy away from the challenge to get involved in her union. “I learned it takes patience and dedication,” she said. “My responsibility as secretary was to assure that things get done.” Now the initial one-year president’s term set by the local’s constitution has Berry’s “clock ticking” to make a difference. Her shift was changed to days which allows her to reach more veteran analysts. “With 75 percent of our members in the same building,” Berry said “it’s easier to handle labor-management issues as they arise.” Berry’s interest in science sparked around age of 11 watching episodes of NCIS. As a high school student in Poughkeepsie, NY, she shadowed scientists at the local [...] — Nov 15
  • NYPD Traffic Enforcement Agent/Local 983 Member Linda Mercer Succumbs to 9/11 Cancer
    By RUDY OROZCO On Nov. 6, the toxic environment at Ground Zero claimed another victim. After a long battle, DC 37 Local 983 member Linda Mercer succumbed to 9/11-related breast cancer in her Queens home. Mercer, an NYPD Traffic Enforcement Agent for 35 years, was assigned to Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, where she took part in the weighing and securing of dust-covered trucks emerging from the pit carrying debris to the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island. Her prolonged exposure to the toxic air eventually led to her cancer diagnosis. While suffering from the effects of cancer treatment, the mother of two relentlessly lobbied Mayor Billl de Blasio for unlimited sick leave for city employees suffering from 9/11-related diseases. “We mourn this terrible loss to our DC 37 family,” said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. “Linda was a relentless advocate for her fellow 9/11 Ground Zero city workers. She did it while suffering the effects of the deadly disease. We send our most profound condolences to her family and friends.” Last October, de Blasio reached an agreement with DC 37 to provide unlimited sick leave to those workers, bringing them much-needed relief. — Nov 13
  • Head Start Workers Ratify Agreement that Provides for Pay Equity with Public-School Teachers
    Story and Photos by G.L. TYLER DC 37 members employed by Head Start recently ratified a three-year contractual agreement that will allow certified teachers in the federally-funded program to earn $68,652 by 2021. The Head Start educators, members of Local 95, join unionized day-care teachers represented by Local 205 – who ratified their contract agreement this past summer — in becoming the highest paid early childhood educators in the country.  The Head Start workers approved their contract Oct. 23, by a 162-26 vote. The contract will bring the salaries of Head Start teachers into line with their counterparts in the city’s public schools. The contract calls for a retroactive 1.77 percent wage hike dating from Feb 1. It also provides a ratification bonus of $1,000 for non-certified Head Start employees. Under Head Start practices, the program’s centers must have a lead teacher with a master’s degree and state certification to remain operational. But for decades, the program has had difficulty retaining teachers after they earn their master’s degrees as the educators often find better-paying jobs in the city’s public schools. Addressing this disparity should help alleviate retention issues. Along with the more than 4,000 members of Local 205, nearly 7,000 day-care workers will [...] — Nov 4
  • City Lifeguards Preserve 6-Year Safety Record
    By DIANE S. WILLIAMS Four City Lifeguards saved two drowning children from the waters of Manhattan Beach on August 24. The rescue was among the most dramatic of the many acts of exemplary service that has resulted in a six-year safety record of no drownings or fatalities at any public beaches or city pools guarded by the Parks Department corps of first responders in DC 37 Locals 461 and 508. “The emergency skills learned at the Municipal Life Guard Training School and their rapid response saved the lives of two young victims who otherwise may not have survived,” noted Peter Stein, president of Lifeguard Supervisors Local 508. “It’s very unfortunate that the Parks Department has failed to recognize these lifeguards for their heroism. It’s a shame and a huge oversight that the agency has not publicized the outstanding and unmatched safety record set by City Lifeguards and their supervisors.” Sixteen-year-old lifeguard Nicolas Brillante, who attends Staten Island Tech High School, recently recalled the Manhattan Beach rescue. He immediately signaled for help, ran into the chest-deep waves and grabbed the two small, seemingly-lifeless bodies. Lieutenant Lifeguard Daniel Levy raced along the jetty and helped pull them to safety. Lifeguard Olga Kolvalkova [...] — Nov 4
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