September - Our City, Our Fight, Our Future: Labor Day Rally & More Events
CELEBRATE LABOR DAY WITH DC 37!
This Labor Day weekend, head over to DC 37’s headquarters to join your union siblings and celebrate your hard work to keep New York City running! On Saturday, Sept. 5, DC 37 is hosting a Labor Day celebration with games, giveaways, music, food, union swag, and lots of fun for the whole family! The first 500 members to arrive will receive a limited edition DC 37 t-shirt! Drop by or stay the entire day!
Saturday, Sept. 5 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at 125 Barclay | Free to attend. RSVP HERE.
OUR CITY, OUR FIGHT, OUR FUTURE: LABOR DAY RALLY AND MARCH
The New York City Central Labor Council is holding a rally and march beginning on Liberty Street between Church Street and Broadway in Lower Manhattan.
This mobilization is an opportunity for the City’s labor movement to come together and demonstrate the strength, solidarity, and power of New York City’s working people, while standing up for the rights, freedoms, and future of all New Yorkers. Together, we'll demonstrate our collective strength.
DC 37 Meet-up, 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 8, at 47 Church Street, directly across from the M Social Hotel.
Rally Start: 5 p.m. (at Liberty Street between Church Street and Broadway)
March Step-Off: 6 p.m. (proceeding north on Church Street to Worth Street)
For more information, please visit HERE.
DC 37 POLITICAL ACTION
Political Action VMOs
The midterm elections are quickly approaching, and we want to ensure that DC 37 members are well-informed! Our Volunteer Member Organizers help educate DC 37 members about upcoming elections through member-to-member contact. Sign up today to be a part of our VMO Program.
PEOPLE Power
New Yorkers are facing an out-of-balance economy that favors the wealthy while wages remain stagnant for everyone else. Working families are struggling to get ahead, and public services are under attack. Our union’s political action fund, AFSCME PEOPLE, provides us the tools to take action and protect the benefits and rights we’ve won in our workplaces and communities. Help us push back on anti-union attacks by joining our PEOPLE Program.
DC 37 Political Action Committee (PAC) Meeting
The DC 37 Political Action Committee (PAC) is focused on protecting workers' rights and public services through political engagement of our membership.
Please join us for our next PAC Meeting on Thursday, September 10, at 6 p.m. Special Invited Guest: NYS Senator John Liu. You bring the questions; we'll bring the popcorn.
If you are interested in learning more about DC 37 Political Action or have questions, please contact us at politicalaction@dc37.net or 212-815-1550.
MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES LEGAL SERVICES (MELS)
MELS Family Law Webinar
The DC 37 Municipal Employees Legal Services (MELS) staff of legal experts are offering a webinar on Family Law to provide legal advice on paternity, parental rights, neglect, abuse, orders of protection, child support, custody, visitation, grandparent visitation, adoptions, guardianship, and more.
MELS lawyers can represent most DC 37 members and retirees who are seeking a divorce, and or other legal matters except criminal cases, at no cost.
For more information, please call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111, or email MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net.
Thursday, September 24, at 6 p.m. | Register HERE.
DC 37 EMPLOYEES HOUSING PROGRAM
MEHP First Time Homebuyers Workshop
MEHP is excited to present a First Time Homebuyer's Workshop. Learn the details of the mortgage process, explore special programs and grants for first-time buyers, and get expert guidance from housing specialists. This workshop will equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to confidently take the next step toward homeownership.
Saturday, September 12, at 11 a.m. | Register HERE.
Saturday, September 26, at 11 a.m. | Register HERE.
MCU First Time Homebuyer Workshop
Are you thinking of buying your first home but don’t know where to begin? The DC 37 Municipal Employees Housing Program is pleased to announce the MCU First Time Homebuyer Workshop. Join us as we discuss the mortgage process. We would like to assist you on your journey to homeownership. We will cover pre-approvals, debt-to-income ratios, PMI, FHA loans, Conventional Loans, and much more. We will have a question-and-answer session after the presentation. We hope to see you there!
Thursday, September 17, at 6 p.m. | Register HERE.
CHILD CARE TRUST
Have you applied for DC 37 Childcare Reimbursement? The benefit covers afterschool, summer camp or child care centers, in a licensed program, or by an informal provider. Please go to this link for more information, and applications. This benefit is for most Mayoral agencies, H & H, Dept of Ed, NYCHA and cultural and library members, covered by the 2021-26 Economic Agreement. Find out more HERE.
DC 37 LATINO HERITAGE COMMITTEE
This month, we celebrate and honor the history and culture of the Latino community and their vital contributions to the labor movement.
This month, the union is holding the following events:
- Thursday, Sept. 3: The DC 37 Latino Heritage Committee will hold a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony from 6-8 p.m. at DC 37 headquarters, 125 Barclay Street.
- Friday, Sept. 18: The SSEU Local 371 Latino Heritage Celebration will take place from 5-11 p.m. at DC 37 headquarters, 125 Barclay Street.
And stay tuned for more information about the Latino Heritage Finale, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25!
DC 37 CLIMATE JUSTICE COMMITTEE
The DC 37 Climate Justice Committee will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. via Zoom and telephone. We will discuss the recent AFSCME Convention and discuss strategies to grow our Committee.
For more information, contact Jon Forster, Co-Chair of the Climate Justice Committee, at 4unionnow@gmail.com.
DC 37 EDUCATION FUND
Apply for Fall 2026 Ed Fund Classes Using the New Ed Fund Academy Learning Management System
The DC 37 Education Fund is proud to launch the Ed Fund Academy, a new learning management system that functions as a centralized learning platform for the courses and programs offered by the DC 37 Education Fund. This platform allows eligible members to view available programs, the classes they are enrolled in, and their progress in those classes.
Access the Ed Fund Academy HERE or through the dedicated ‘Go.Learn’ mobile app, available on Google Play and the App Store. Note you must create your account online first before you can access the platform using mobile apps. Additionally, your username on the platform must be your first and last name.
To help you navigate the new platform, check out Frequently Asked Questions, tutorial videos, and step-by-step guides HERE.
All students wishing to take classes with the Education Fund must first register with the new learning management system by clicking HERE and selecting Register. New accounts take approximately 24-28 hours to be verified, so sign up today!
Note on eligibility: While all DC 37 members may register for the Ed Fund Academy, members of SSEU Local 371 and the Non-Profit/Private Sector locals are not eligible for DC 37 Education Fund benefits except for the Lillian Roberts Women’s Leadership Academy.
Registration for the Lillian Roberts Women’s Leadership Academy is Now Open
Embark on a 10-week journey of empowerment and growth with our comprehensive leadership training program. Gain valuable insights into gender dynamics, power relationships, and effective leadership strategies. Led by experienced professionals, LRWLA is designed to equip women with the skills and confidence to excel in leadership roles.
This program begins in March 2027, but space is limited. To register, look for the course under the “Labor Education – Winter 2027” catalog within the DC 37 Ed Fund Academy.
Tuition Reimbursement Benefit
Eligible DC 37 members can now be reimbursed up to $1,500 by the DC 37 Education Fund as long as the requirements for reimbursement are met. Additionally, tuition reimbursement applications can now be submitted completely online. For more information on the reimbursement benefit, please click HERE.
Advanced Grievance Handling Arbitration Course Begins Soon. Register Today!
Whether you’re a seasoned activist ready to sharpen your edge or a newer rep stepping into the fight, this course gives you the tools to handle even the toughest grievances—and prepare like a pro for arbitration. Please note that you must have already taken and completed the Education Fund’s Shop Steward Training course before you can take Advanced Grievance Handling/Arbitration. To register, look for the course under the “Labor Education – Fall 2026” catalog within the DC 37 Ed Fund Academy.
Education and Career Counseling
Do you need guidance on selecting a class from our offerings, updating a resume or need assistance reaching a career or educational goal? Register through the DC 37 Ed Fund Academy HERE or email achensee@dc37.net to contact an Education Fund counselor.
Education Fund Computer and Technology Programs
District Council 37 Education Fund is accepting programs for our Fall 2026 cycle. Apply at DC 37 Ed Fund Academy to get access to the programs below (look under the “Decentralized – Fall 2026” catalog):
- Getting Started with A.I. with LaGuardia Community College
Wednesday, November 5
6-9 p.m. - Introduction To Computers at Union Headquarters
Thursdays, In-Person
6-9 p.m. - Microsoft Excel with CUNY Queens College
Level 1 and 2
6-9 p.m., Online - Microsoft Excel with CUNY City College/CWE
Level 1 and 2
6-9 p.m., Online - Microsoft Excel Expert with CUNY Hostos
Saturdays, Online
10 a.m.-3 p.m. - Microsoft Office Professional with CUNY City College/CWE
Level: Introduction
Tuesdays
6-9 p.m. Online - Microsoft Office Certificate Program with CUNY Hostos
Tuesdays/Thursdays or Saturdays, Online - Microsoft Word with CUNY Queens College
(Basic) Tuesdays, Online
6-9 p.m. - Advanced Microsoft Word with City College/CWE (NEW)
Thursdays, Online
6:30-9:30 p.m.
Financial Literacy Workshops for DC 37 Members
Are you ready to break the cycle of financial stress and start making empowered money choices? Financial Literacy 101 is a practical, engaging online course built on the principles of behavioral economics—designed to help you take the first steps toward lasting financial freedom. In this course, you will learn to budget with confidence, save strategically, manage debt effectively, and plan for retirement. Multiple workshop sections are currently available to accommodate your schedule. To register, look for the course under the “Labor Education – Fall 2026” catalog within the DC 37 Ed Fund Academy.
Do you need your High School Equivalency Diploma (the GED)?
The GED exam is back. It is available to NYS residents, age 19 and over. It has four subtests instead of five. The Reading and Writing subtests are combined in a revised subtest, Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA). Passing scores from past GED exams, TASC exams, or NYS Regents exams will be counted as passing one or more subtests. Eligible members can take GED Prep classes in English or Spanish online, hybrid, or in person. To view available classes, please register through the DC 37 Education Fund Academy HERE or email ppunch@dc37.net.
Free Community College for New York State Residents
Great news for New York State residents - community college at the CUNY and SUNY level will be completely free for adult learners looking to enter high-demand fields. Because no one should have to choose between financial security and a college education.
CUNY and SUNY Reconnect will give students the opportunity to pursue their career goals and prepare for meaningful, high-demand careers right here in New York State. And the Reconnect programs don’t just cover tuition – they cover the cost of books, fees, and supplies for students, too.
You can attend community college for FREE starting next term if you:
- Are a resident of New York State or eligible for in-state tuition
- Are between the ages of 25-55
- Do not currently have a degree
- Are planning to study full-time or part-time in one of 175 eligible SUNY associate degree programs or one of 120+ eligible CUNY associate degree programs.
Members interested in free CUNY community college can apply for an appointment with a CUNY advisor by clicking HERE. If you can’t find a date/time that works for you, email: CUNYDays@slu.cuny.edu.
For more information on CUNY Reconnect, click HERE. For more information on SUNY Reconnect, click HERE.