May 2026: Union News, Service and Events
May Day March
District Council 37 and the NYC Central Labor Council proudly came together at Washington Square Park on Friday, May 1, to commemorate May Day.
May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, honors the bravery and sacrifices workers throughout history in the ongoing fight for equality, dignity, and justice in the workplace. Together, we reaffirmed our commitment to a better future for all workers and stood in solidarity with our labor and community allies.
DC 37 members assembled at 3:30 p.m. at the corner of University Place and Washington Square North. Following the rally at 4 p.m., members proudly marched together to Foley Square in a strong show of unity and solidarity for workers’ rights.
DC 37 AT THE YANKEES
Join District Council 37 and the New York Yankees for a fun-filled day at Yankee Stadium in late August!
Game Dates
Against Division rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays:
- Friday, August 21, 7:05 p.m.
- Saturday, August 22, 1:35 p.m.
- Sunday, August 23, 1:35 p.m.
Against the Houston Astros:
- Tuesday, August 25, 7:05 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 26, 7:05 p.m.
- Thursday, August 27, 7:05 p.m.
Each Ticket includes:
- An exclusive New York Yankees DC 37 Jersey
- $15 New York Yankees Food & Beverage Voucher
The Yankees will send your tickets to the email address you used for purchase. Jersey and voucher pickup instructions will also be provided via email prior to the event. Click HERE to sign up!
DC 37 POLITICAL ACTION
Join the Political Action VMO Program
Our Voice, Our Vote! Become a Political Action Volunteer Member Organizer (VMO) to engage your fellow members and help get out the vote. The program operates yearly during the Primary and General Election Cycles and includes door-knocking, phone banking, and canvassing to directly support union-endorsed candidates.
The 2026 Midterm and General Elections are sure to impact labor and we must do our part to elect labor-friendly candidates who place protecting working families at the forefront of their policies and agenda.
The Political Action VMO program is scheduled to begin Monday, May 11, and shifts take place every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday throughout the Primary Election, as well as some Saturdays.
Volunteers receive $22 per hour for their participation and can choose a schedule that works best for them. Become a VMO today! Register HERE or email PoliticalAction@dc37.net for more information.
Attend This Month’s Political Action Committee Meeting
The DC 37 Political Action Committee (PAC), chaired by Donald Nesbit, Executive Vice President of Local 372, is powered by dedicated union members, leaders, and volunteers from New York City’s largest public employee union—District Council 37 AFSCME.
Our PAC activists are on the front lines of advocacy, working to protect and advance workers’ rights through political action. From lobbying and voter education to grassroots mobilization, we are committed to making our voices heard.
District Council 37’s “Green Machine” is at the heart of this movement—engaging in door-knocking, phone banking, and rallies to support endorsed candidates across the five boroughs, especially in communities with strong DC 37 membership.
Together, we can continue building power and elect leaders who will stand up for working families and fight for a stronger, more equitable future.
Get involved. Stay engaged. Make a difference.
Ready to make an impact? Sign up today to join our next monthly PAC meeting!
Thursday, May 21, at 6 p.m. at 125 Barclay Street | To register, click HERE.
Support the DC 37 PEOPLE Program!
There’s a lot on the line this year. The results of the 2026 Senate and Congressional elections will determine the fate of workers and communities across the nation. In addition to our work to get pro-worker candidates into office, DC 37 is fighting for reforms to the tier 6 pension system, fair funding for city and state agencies, and a host of other crucial issues that impact our members. The PEOPLE Program, DC 37’s political action fund, makes these fights possible.
Your support for the PEOPLE Program will help us elect leaders who will fight for workers’ rights over corporate greed. PEOPLE contributions are used for Get Out the Vote campaigns, lobbying on member issues, directly supporting pro-workers candidates, and other important activities that we are restricted from using dues money to conduct.
Join PEOPLE HERE.
DC 37 SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
DC 37 Scholarships for 2026 are open and the May 29 deadline is approaching! Members can apply to win a competitive scholarship to support educational goals for themselves, their children, or grandchildren. Learn more about the scholarships offered, requirements, and deadlines HERE.
DC 37 HEALTH & SECURITY PLAN
Coping With Traumatic Events: PSU Can Help
Approximately 70% of people will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. A traumatic event is an overwhelming or dangerous experience causing intense fear or helplessness and may lead to negative effects on functioning, including anxiety, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping or hypervigilance.
Helpful techniques include:
- Identify triggers that cause emotions to surface (such as loud noises, smells, or certain locations).
- Limit exposure to distressing current events and triggers
- Build self-care habits; maintain consistent sleep, nutrition and exercise, practice mindfulness and meditation, or engage in activities you enjoy.
- Connect with a mental health worker who can help you process feelings and develop effective coping skills
- Express emotions to safe and trustworthy people in your life.
The Personal Service Unit of DC 37 is here to support you. To speak with a Licensed Social Worker for confidential therapy or referrals, please call (212) 815-1260 between 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, for an assessment.
DC 37 MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES LEGAL SERVICES
MELS Webinar: Changes Coming to Student Loan Repayment Options
Please join Supervising Attorney Joseph Davidson, Esq. of the DC 37 Municipal Employees Legal Services (MELS) for an important webinar regarding upcoming changes for student loan repayments on Wednesday, May 6, from 6-7:30 p.m.
Topics for discussion are:
- The end of the SAVE Plan.
- Impact on Parent Plus Loans.
- The New Repayment Plans: New Standard and RAP.
- Actions to take promptly.
- Impact on Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
To participate in this important webinar, please register HERE.
MELS Matrimonial Webinar
The DC 37 Municipal Employees Legal Services (MELS) is holding a Matrimonial Webinar on Wednesday, May 13, from 6-7 p.m.
Topics for discussion include:
- What are the grounds for divorce?
- How to navigate custody and parenting time.
- Child support and support orders.
- Spousal support and maintenance.
- Equitable distribution of marital assets and debts.
Also covering:
- How to have MELS represent you in a divorce.
- What information MELS needs to best represent you.
- Resources for additional information.
- Advantages of MELS representation.
Register for the webinar HERE.
2026 CUNY Spring Citizenship Drive
The DC 37 Municipal Employees Legal Services is co-sponsoring the 2026 CUNY Spring Citizenship Drive. Volunteers are available to help permanent residents with their applications for naturalization.
This event is free and open to the public. Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Call (646) 664-9400 to make an appointment.
DC 37 EMPLOYEES HOUSING PROGRAM
MEHP First Time Homebuyers Workshop
MEHP is excited to present a First Time Homebuyers Workshop. Discover the details of the mortgage process, explore special programs and grants created for first-time buyers, and gain expert guidance from housing specialists. This workshop will equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to confidently take the next step toward owning your home.
Saturday, May 2, at 11 a.m. | Register HERE.
Saturday, May 16, at 11 a.m. | Register HERE.
Saturday, May 30, at 11 a.m. | Register HERE.
DC 37 JEWISH HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Join the DC 37 Jewish Heritage Committee for the 25th Annual Jewish Heritage Celebration! May is Jewish American Heritage Month and we will celebrate with Jewish music & entertainment, a traditional Glatt Kosher deli and keynote speakers.
Thursday May 14, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. | DC 37 Headquarters, 125 Barclay Street
For more information, contact DC 37 Jewish Heritage Committee Chair Leonard Davidman, PhD at Leonard.Davidman@gmail.com.
DC 37 ASIAN HERITAGE COMMITTEE
The DC 37 Asian Heritage Committee cordially invites you to celebrate Asian Heritage. We will have guest speakers, honorees, performances, the finest Asian cuisine, and refreshments.
Friday, May 29, at 6 p.m. | DC 37 Headquarters, 125 Barclay St.
DC 37 LATINO HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Join Us at the National Puerto Rican Day Parade
On Sunday, June 14, join the DC 37 Latino Heritage Committee as they march in the 69th Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade!
Please RSVP Committee Co-Chair Doris Hernandez Murphy no later than Friday, June 12, at DC37LatinoHeritage@gmail.com or call 646-369-4978.
Capacity for participation is limited. Wristbands are required to enter the staging area and to march in the parade.
The parade route is from 44th to 79th Street in Manhattan, so be sure to arrive at Fifth Avenue and 44th Street by 11 a.m. You may also attend as a spectator to cheer on your fellow DC 37 members!
DC 37 CLIMATE JUSTICE COMMITTEE
The DC 37 Climate Justice Committee is meeting via Zoom and Telephone on Monday, May 4, at 6 p.m. We generally meet on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m., unless there is a holiday or another conflict.
The Committee is supporting climate legislation in Albany, including the TEMP Act, and seeks to inform contract recommendations from a climate perspective. The Committee is also in the middle of planning another Panel Discussion for DC 37 members and retirees, and continues to work on environmental health in our public schools.
The Committee is open to all DC 37 members and retirees.
Monday, May 4, at 6 p.m. | Contact Jon Forster, Co-Chair of the Climate Justice Committee, at 4unionnow@gmail.com.
DC 37 PRIDE DIVERSITY INTEREST GROUP
At our next meeting, we will finalize the details for our June 26 event! Also, we will be walking in the NYC Pride Parade on June 28, so mark your calendars. Let's arrive with our UNION PRIDE as we march for solidarity and equity! Come on out and bring an ally. For more information, or to be added to the PDIG WhatsApp Group, please contact Andrew Douglas at (917) 952-1127 or email adouglas@sseu371.org.
Follow PDIG on Instagram!
Monday, May 12, at 6 p.m. | Join the virtual meeting HERE.
DC 37 HOUSING COMMITTEE
Please join the DC 37 Housing Committee’s virtual meeting on May 4, at 6 p.m, Housing Committee Chair Dennis Ifill, President of Local 1359, will discuss housing issues, resources, and upcoming events. The virtual meeting room opens at 5:50 p.m., and the meeting begins at 6 p.m.
Monday, May 4, at 6 p.m. | Register HERE.