Union News, Service and Events update
FIX TIER SIX!
What Is Tier 6 and Why Do We Need to Fix It?
Tier 6 is the pension plan for New York State and City public employees who joined public service on or after April 1, 2012. Tier 6 workers pay higher contribution rates than other workers. We pay a sliding scale of 3-6% of our salaries into the pension system for our entire careers. When our salary increases, so do our contributions. This means we lose out on much-needed cost of living increases.
What Can We Do to Fix Tier 6?
District Council 37, AFSCME, CSEA and other New York unions are calling for an equitable approach to the pension system: set the employee contribution rate at 3% for all public workers in Tier 6. Doing so will raise workers’ take-home pay immediately and make public service a more attractive, affordable career choice for those entering the workforce.
How You Can Help:
Click here to email your State legislators today and tell them: FIX TIER 6!
Why Act Now?
The New York State Legislature is currently negotiating the budget (due April 1), and this is the only time we can make changes to pension contributions until next year.
Eliminating contribution bands so everyone pays 3% provides immediate financial relief for current Tier 6 workers and helps future workers too!
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 takes 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, April 9, 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 Scholarships for 2026 are open! 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
Financial Caregiving Toolbox: Lessons from “My Mother’s Money”
Join us for a virtual webinar on April 29 at 6:30 p.m. as Beth Pinsker, Certified Financial Planner, explores the financial and legal planning challenges faced by caregivers and their loved ones and shares practical tips to help navigate them with confidence. She will discuss:
- Pervasive Planning Procrastination and How to Overcome It
- What Documents are Needed to Get Started
- Understanding Medicare and Medicaid Coverage Options
- What are the Out-of-Pocket Costs for Caregivers
- Strategies to Retain Financial Resources
- How to Map Out Care Decisions and Next Steps
Click HERE to register.
DC 37 EMPLOYEES HOUSING PROGRAM
MEHP First-Time Homebuyers Workshop
MEHP is excited to present a First-Time Homebuyer's 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, April 4, at 11 a.m. | Register HERE.
Saturday, April 18, at 11 a.m. | Register HERE.
MCU Homebuyers Webinar
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, April 23, at 6 p.m. | Register HERE.
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, April 13 at 6 p.m. | Join meeting HERE.
DC 37 CLIMATE JUSTICE COMMITTEE
The DC 37 Climate Justice Committee will meet on Monday, April 6, at 6 p.m. via Zoom and telephone. The Committee is focused on helping protect DC 37 members, the public, and our workplaces and schools from the impact of increasingly extreme weather, wildfires, flooding, and other environmental concerns.
This work includes legislative lobbying, working with environmental activists, giving climate-related presentations, and making recommendations on ways to address the consequences of climate change.
The Committee is open to all DC 37 members and retirees.
Monday, April 6 at 6 p.m. | Contact Jon Forster, Co-Chair of the Climate Justice Committee, at 4unionnow@gmail.com.
DC 37 HOUSING COMMITTEE
Please join the DC 37 Housing Committee’s virtual meeting on April 6, 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, April 6, at 11 a.m. | Register HERE.
DC 37 EDUCATION FUND
Education Fund Is Now Accepting Applications for Spring 2026 Classes!
If you are looking to enroll in an Education Fund program, now is the time to apply. Space in many programs is limited, so to see what is available for a course, please view our list of programs by clicking HERE.
DC 37 Scholarship Applications Are Now Available
The DC 37 Scholarships Committee offers several scholarships for dependent children and grandchildren of eligible DC 37 members and retirees. There are different scholarship eligibility, requirements and documents that need to be submitted, so please review the Scholarships FAQ before beginning your application. For more information on available scholarships, please click HERE.
Tuition Reimbursement Benefit
Eligible DC 37 members can now be reimbursed up to $1,500 by the DC 37 Education Fund if 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.
The DC 37/CUNY SLU Labor Certificate and Degree Program
The DC 37 Education Fund, in partnership with the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies (SLU) is currently accepting applicants for its partnership certificate and degree program for the Fall 2026 semester. Eligible union members can receive tuition coverage for up to 4 courses (16 credits), fully funded by the DC 37 Education Fund. These courses can lead to an undergraduate or graduate certificate in Labor Relations or start you on your path towards an undergraduate degree (in Labor Studies or in Urban and Community Relations) or a graduate degree in Labor Studies.
Interested members need to apply to the Education Fund first and attend a mandatory information session to be accepted into the partnership program. If you are interested in this program and would like more information or to apply, please click HERE and look under Labor Education Courses.
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? Contact an Ed Fund counselor HERE and look under Ongoing Programs to schedule a virtual appointment.