District Council 37, AFSCME

10/12/2026

DC 37 headquarters and our affiliated funds are closed on October 12, 2026 in observance of Columbus/Heritage Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, October 13.

10/09/2026

Celebrate 60 years of the PEOPLE program with us! DC 37 is hosting a members-only game night fundraiser at union headquarters on Thu, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Join us for a night of video games, Spades, dominoes, Uno, food, and fun! Money raised through the PEOPLE program goes directly toward building union political power, allowing us to get out the vote for pro-worker candidates and lobby for bills that benefit our members and all working people.

Sign up as a new MVP PEOPLE contributor or pay $25 for admission at the door. Registration is required: https://www.mobilize.us/afscmedc37/event/1031134/

Please note that as this is a members-only event, no guests or children are allowed.

*Legal Requirement to Donate: Contributions or gifts to AFSCME PEOPLE are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. All contributions to AFSCME PEOPLE are voluntary and will be used to support pro-worker candidates in federal, state and local elections. Contributions are not a condition of membership or employment and refusal to contribute is free of reprisal. Although entry to 60 Years of Winning: A Game Night to Celebrate PEOPLE’S 60th Anniversary requires a $25 ticket, any contribution guideline is only a suggestion, and you may contribute more or less than that amount or nothing at all, and you will not be favored or disadvantaged because of your contribution amount or decision not to contribute. In accordance with federal law, AFSCME PEOPLE accepts contributions only from AFSCME members, executive and administrative personnel, and their families. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year.

10/07/2026

“With DC 37, we know we always have backup and support. It means our voice is heard when we need to improve safety, when we need stronger benefits or any of the dozens of other things to lower turnover, support our careers and protect us when needed."

Sofia Papamitrou is a criminalist in the New York City Police Department and member of AFSCME Local 3778 (DC 37) who is committed to serving her community.

10/07/2026

Did you know that as a DC 37 member, you have access to Municipal Employees Legal Services and the DC 37 Housing Program? If you are having difficulty making your mortgage payment, have received a foreclosure notice, or believe you may fall behind on payments, act as early as possible. DC 37 and NYS resources are available to help you understand your options and protect your home.

MELS can be reached at: 212-815-1111

The DC 37 Housing Program can be reached at: 212-815-1814

10/06/2026

Confidently take the next step toward owning your first home! This month, DC 37 members have two chances to join the Municipal Employees Housing Program for a virtual First Time Homebuyer’s Workshop. Learn about the mortgage process as well as special programs and grants created specifically for first-time buyers.

Register for Sat, Oct. 10 at 11 AM: https://bit.ly/4xZr4Cr

Register for Sat, Oct. 24 at 11 AM: https://bit.ly/4AQEJOW

10/05/2026

REMINDER: Submit your public comment defending Head Start by October 6!

Head Start is an essential program that provides low-income children with quality education, nutrition, and healthcare, while also providing good, union jobs – but the Trump admin is attacking Head Start as part of a larger plan to eliminate programs that working families rely on.

DC 37 members are fighting back! Submit your public comment telling your Head Start story here: https://bit.ly/DC37HOHS

And remember to get out the vote on Nov. 3 so that we can hold Congress accountable for passing these devastating cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill. Register to vote and check out upcoming deadlines: www.nycvotes.org

09/30/2026

In this month's Action Alert: check out the new, mobile-friendly DC 37 Member Portal, sign up to volunteer during the upcoming state and federal elections, and learn about the latest course offerings from the DC 37 Ed Fund Academy and the union's Non-Profit Educational Corporation.

Head to bit.ly/3TD4OA6 to read the latest Action Alert. Not yet subscribed? Sign up at bit.ly/DC37ActionAlerts to have them delivered straight to your inbox.

09/30/2026

TAKE ACTION: Despite the fact that Head Start is one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in American history, it’s currently under attack by the Trump administration. This will deprive low-income children of quality education, nutrition, and education, and endanger the good, union jobs our members rely on. That’s why DC 37 is joining AFSCME members across the country in saying !

Submit your public comment by Oct. 6 explaining how Head Start has positively impacted you and your community: https://bit.ly/DC37HOHS

Devastating cuts to programs like Head Start and SNAP are the direct result of the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It’s more critical than ever before that we turn out to vote on Nov. 3 and hold Congress accountable for cutting such vital programs! Register to vote and check out important upcoming deadlines: www.nycvotes.org

09/29/2026

09/28/2026

NEW: New York City’s first-in-the-nation Office of Healthcare Accountability (OHA) just released a new report showing how hospital consolidation drives up healthcare costs for working New Yorkers. DC 37 fought hard for the creation of this office, and we thank Speaker Julie Menin for fighting alongside us to bring down the cost of healthcare!

"As we prepare to negotiate the citywide economic agreement for city workers, we want to ensure more money goes back into our members' pockets than in the pockets of hospital CEOs," said Henry Garrido, Executive Director of District Council 37 AFSCME. "Every dollar counts for New Yorkers, and the reports generated by the Office of Healthcare Accountability have been instrumental in recent negotiations with certain hospital systems when benchmarking costs for individual services.”

OHA’s report makes it clear that New York State must act now to stop rising healthcare costs. That's why DC 37, 32BJ SEIU, and the Coalition for Affordable Hospitals support the Fair Pricing Act in Albany to make sure everyday New Yorkers pay routine prices for routine services, no matter where you receive your care.

Learn more here:https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/about/healthcare-accountability-report-2026.pdf