DC37

  • COVID-19 Cases Expose Workers’ Comp Failures
    By DIANE S. WILLIAMS Calling for immediate policy changes to fix the broken New York State Workers’ Compensation system, a coalition of unions joined The New York Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) and attorney Robert E. Grey on April 27, to say the Workers Compensation system has failed some 250,000 workers who got sick from COVID-19 on the job. The group introduced policy changes and new state legislation (S. 1241 and S. 1721) that would make Workers’ Comp more accessible to workers sickened by coronavirus, regardless of language or immigration status. At the virtual press conference Sen. Jessica Ramos, Chair of the state Labor Committee, said the legislation is an “effort to get more workers just relief.” The report authored by Grey revealed that of the 250,000 workers with symptomatic COVID-19, less than 10 percent, or just 21,000 workers, applied for Workers’ Compensation. Only 1,000 workers have received a Workers’ Comp hearing. Grey said the WCB ignored or denied 90 percent of the cases. Other workers lost their cases on appeal and were not compensated. The report said the system favors employers, which is not what the Workers’ Comp law was designed to do. The Workers’ Compensation system [...] — May 7
  • Essential Workers #GetVaccinated
    Laura Morand, Local 2627 President I got the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Feb 12. I could have gotten it a month early as a Fire Department employee, but I was hesitant.  I developed a lack of trust in the medical system after I was misdiagnosed on March 25, 2020. That day I was rushed by ambulance to Franklin Hospital in Long Island. I had a 101 fever and difficulty breathing. I was weak, achy and dizzy. I was fast-tracked to see a doctor but he denied me a COVID test and did not check me out thoroughly despite my symptoms. He gave me two Tylenol and an asthma pump and sent me home. I believe that if I were a Caucasian woman, doctors would have tested me for everything including COVID-19. Instead, they put on a Band-Aid and sent me back to work. The way I was treated hurt me but I was too weak to do anything about it.  When I didn’t get any better, I called our executive director Henry Garrido. He sent me to Queens General Hospital. My daughter drove me. I saw Dr. Holness, a Black doctor, who ordered an x-ray. It confirmed that I had [...] — May 4
  • MELS Bankruptcy Webinar Now Online 
    By DIANE S. WILLIAMS About 75 DC 37 members joined the Municipal Employees Legal Services (MELS) webinar “Bankruptcy: An Opportunity for a Fresh Start” on April 28.  At the Zoom webinar, the MELS team of consumer lawyers shared their expertise on the difference between Chapter 7 and 13, garnishments and judgments, how to protect one’s privacy, rebuilding one’s credit and more.  A recording and slideshow are now available online.  MELS Bankruptcy webinar video replay:  https://bit.ly/3aQ9yc2   MELS Bankruptcy webinar slides:  https://bit.ly/3gM7rtR “Members can sometimes become overwhelmed by expenses or experience a major and unexpected debt or hardship that can cause them to fall behind on their bills. As time goes on they can’t seem to catch up,” said Bill Whalen, chief counsel and director of DC 37 Municipal Employees Legal Services. “We can help them to understand the legal options available for debt relief.” Whalen added, “If a DC 37 member wants to know more about bankruptcy, they should call MELS for advice.” For more information on the free legal services the union provides, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212 815-1111 or email: [email protected] — Apr 29
  • Virtual Health and Safety Workshop for Local 95 and 205 Members
    DC 37 invites members of Local 95 New York City Head Start Employees and Local 205 Day Care Employees to join us on Tuesday, May 4 from 6 to 7 p.m., for an important virtual workshop on health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual webinar will teach members about resources available through the renowned Mount Sinai Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health. To register, please go to www.dc37local.com/covid and complete the online form using your computer, tablet or smart phone. Once you submit the form, you will receive an email invite to “Ring Central Meetings,” with instructions on how to access the workshop. For more information, please visit www.dc37.net/about/locals/local95 or www.dc37.net/about/locals/local205, or contact your union representative at 212-219-0222. — Apr 29
  • MELS BANKRUPTCY WEBINAR TONIGHT, APRIL 28, at 5:30 PM
    The Municipal Employees Legal Services team of lawyers and experts will host a webinar on Bankruptcy, An Opportunity For A Fresh Start, TONIGHT April 28, at 5:30 p.m. They will discuss the difference between Chapters 7 and 13 bankruptcy, garnishments and judgments, protecting your privacy, how to rebuild your credit, and more. Register at www.DC37MELS.com to get a meeting ID before the event. For more information, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212 815-1111 or email [email protected] — Apr 28