February 07, 2024 NYC 911 operators secure victory on flexible work schedules New York City’s 911 operators negotiate flexible schedules, pay raises through their union, AFSCME’s DC37. Read More
August 29, 2023 Over 1,000 people attend NYC hiring hall held along with Staff the Front Lines bus tour A New York City hiring hall, part of the Staff the Front Lines bus tour, attracted over 1,000 people on Monday. Read More
August 10, 2023 New York 911 dispatchers sound alarm on chronic short-staffing Short-staffing is leading to delayed or unanswered 911 calls in New York, AFSCME members say. Read More
July 18, 2023 AFSCME and DC 37 honor labor legend Lillian Roberts with scholarship in her name AFSCME and DC 37 honor Lillian Roberts, a labor legend. Read More
May 02, 2023 A DC 37 member speaks out about staffing crisis in Head Start programs Head Start educator Linda McPherson explained why more investment in her program is needed now. Read More
April 13, 2023 911 dispatchers keep saving lives, despite staffing shortages The nation’s 911 dispatchers save lives despite grappling with staff shortages. We honor their contributions during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Read More
April 05, 2023 New York City workers to receive first raise since COVID-19 The first raise since the COVID-19 pandemic will soon be in the paychecks of 90,000 workers the City of New York. Read More
March 02, 2023 Cultural workers nationwide are rising up to secure a voice on the job Momentum was strong for AFSCME’s Cultural Workers United Campaign in 2022. Read More
February 06, 2023 NYC dispatcher wins Never Quit Service Award after stopping shooter in subway A Local 1549 911 dispatcher saved lives through her quick actions as a man opened fire in the NYC subway. Read More
October 24, 2022 Former AFSCME Union Scholar makes the fight of workers the centerpiece of his writing career Learn how a former AFSCME Union Scholar used his internship to ignite a career as a journalist. Read More
October 17, 2022 A son of Queens, New York, teaches his community about the natural world Our latest Never Quit Service Award winner, DC 37’s Harry Aguilar, teaches the Queens community he grew up in about the natural world. Read More
October 07, 2022 FDNY EMS Lt. Russo Brutally Killed Outside Queens Stationhouse AFSCME mourns the death of New York Fire Department EMS Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling, who was murdered while on duty last week. Read More
February 07, 2022 Almost $200,000 in student loan debt forgiven for DC 37 member thanks to PSLF waiver New York member Laura Morand says the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program has been a savior. Read More
January 26, 2022 AFSCME-backed bill seeks to overcome the nation’s addiction crisis Congress should approve the CARE Act, an AFSCME-backed bill that will help the country overcome the addiction crisis. Read More
January 07, 2022 AFSCME mourns the loss of a beloved member of our union family, Mildred Wurf Mildred Wurf was a pioneering District Council 37 educator and the widow of former AFSCME president, Jerry Wurf. Read More
October 28, 2021 Hundreds of New York nonprofit social and health service workers gain union recognition At least 250 workers at the New York nonprofit organization Breaking Ground gained union recognition after their employer welcomed their decision to join together through AFSCME District Council 37. Read More
September 20, 2021 DC 37 and nonprofit workers applaud signing of labor peace agreement DC 37 and nonprofit workers applaud the signing of a labor peace agreement. Read More
September 10, 2021 No matter the crisis, AFSCME members serve selflessly DC 37 member Andrea Murphy recalls serving her community on 9/11 and during the pandemic. Read More
July 07, 2021 Adams wins NYC mayoral Democratic primary with AFSCME support Thanks to their mobilization program, District Council 37 members were able to achieve victories in the New York City mayoral primary and many city council races. Read More
June 08, 2021 New York EMT slain in the line of duty honored with playground renaming To honor murdered AFSCME-represented EMT Yadira Arroyo, local officials have named a playground in Bronx, N.Y., after her. Read More
April 12, 2021 NY paramedics make in-flight rescue AFSCME EMS workers are never off the clock. Not even when flying high above. Three New York EMS workers saved a passenger’s life in flight. Read More
April 01, 2021 DC 37 workers #GetVaccinated at Citi Field event More than DC 37 members got inoculated against COVID-19 at a “Vaccination Day” event in late March. Their union was key in getting them to go to the event. Read More
November 13, 2020 NYC public employees reach agreement with the city, avoiding layoffs Thousands of New York City public service workers will be spared layoffs through at least June 2021 under an agreement DC 37 struck with Mayor Bill de Blasio. Read More
September 15, 2020 Facing layoffs of 22,000 workers, New York City workers call on the state to take action DC 37 workers are fighting proposed layoffs stemming from a budget shortfall caused by the pandemic. Read More
June 24, 2020 ‘The anger is blinding’ DC 37 member and New York paramedic discusses fighting the coronavirus pandemic in a powerful first-person account published by the Washington Post. Read More
May 22, 2020 ‘Public service workers are … crucial to fighting this pandemic’ Meet a New York City respiratory therapist who was sickened by COVID-19. Read More
May 22, 2020 ‘It’s Like 9/11 Every Day’ A healthy New York City Fire Department EMS lieutenant for 25 years suddenly got sick with COVID-19. This is his story. Read More
May 14, 2020 AFSCME Members Recovering From COVID-19 Share Their Stories, Seek State, Local Aid In a press call, AFSCME front-line workers shared stories of suffering with COVID-19 as they highlighted the urgent need for congressional aid. Read More
April 03, 2020 Desperate for Relief, Under Unprecedented Strain, FDNY EMS Continues to Serve AFSCME EMS workers in New York City are exhausted but continue to serve. Read More
April 01, 2020 Their Lives Are On The Line. Yet, ‘Public Service Workers Still Answer the Call’ What’s it like to be on the front lines as a health care worker? AFSCME President Lee Saunders and three AFSCME International vice presidents provide details. Read More
March 16, 2020 A Humble Engineer Keeps NYC’s Ferries Afloat Engineer Earl Baim, a member of Local 375 (DC 37) keeps New York City’s ferries afloat. Read More
March 12, 2020 Census 2020: It’s a Big Deal for AFSCME The 2020 Census is a big deal for everyone – especially AFSCME members and the communities we serve. Read More
January 02, 2020 DC 37 Members Demand Accountability from NYC’s Private Hospitals AFSCME members in New York are speaking out about runaway charges in the city’s largest private hospitals and are asking the city council to resolve the problem. Read More
November 25, 2019 Former DC 37 Vice President Springs into Action to Save Two from Burning Car Jim Tucciarelli, the former vice president of District Council 37 who retired this year, sprang into action last weekend when he came across a vehicle in flames where two people were trapped. Read More
July 24, 2019 At Last. Congress Authorizes Permanent 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Congress has authorized permanent funding for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund after years of efforts by survivors and other advocates, including AFSCME members. Read More
July 10, 2019 42 Years of Honorable Service – 9/11 Responder Honored During Retirement We honor Jim Tucciarelli, a 9/11 first responder and advocate for Ground Zero workers, who retired last week. Read More
October 24, 2018 DC 37 and the City Agree on Unlimited Paid Sick Leave for 9/11 Heroes After weeks of intense negotiations, the union won a landmark victory for our 9/11 first responders and other members who worked at the World Trade Center site during the rescue, recovery and cleanup. Read More
September 17, 2018 NY Lifeguards, Supervisors Post Five-Year Safety Record It takes preparation, teamwork and diligence to achieve a safety record of this magnitude and duration, said Local 508 Lifeguard Supervisors President Peter Stein. Read More
September 11, 2018 Catching a Suspected Killer The suspected “Tinder serial killer” has been arrested – thanks to the work of a DC 37 criminalist. Read More
August 02, 2018 NYC’s Public Health Network Agrees to Convert Many Temps to FT Jobs After months of intense negotiations, the union has inked a deal with NYC Health + Hospitals (NYC H+H) that sharply curbs the agency’s reliance on temporary agency workers. Read More
March 19, 2018 Local 420 Member Helps Deliver Baby in Hospital Emergency AFSCME New York member helps deliver a baby in a medical emergency just steps from the hospital where he works. Read More
January 25, 2018 Throwback Thursday: AFSCME Retiree John Henry Lewis AFSCME Retiree John Henry Lewis’ motto is “I’ve retired but I haven’t expired.” He’s still fighting for AFSCME members. Read More
December 15, 2017 NYC Union Fights State Workers’ Compensation Changes District Council 37 is taking part in an all-out effort to fight proposed changes to the workers’ compensation system in New York. Read More
November 13, 2017 Nearing Retirement, but Not Slowing Down Retirement may be nearing, but AFSCME Never Quit Award Winner Paul Spicer isn’t slowing down. Read More
October 06, 2017 Six DC 37 Members are in Puerto Rico to Help with Relief Efforts Six members from AFSCME District Council 37 have flown to Puerto Rico to help the island rebuild after Hurricane Maria as part of a contingent from AFL-CIO unions. Read More
September 12, 2017 Rikers Island Inmates Say ‘Thanks’ to a Dedicated Library Worker The stacks of handwritten thank-you notes for the NY Public Library’s mobile library and literacy program at Rikers Island jail show just how valuable Louise Stamp is. Read More
July 10, 2017 New York Librarian Brings Books to Homeless Children At a time when public services, including libraries, are under attack, it’s up to AFSCME members who never quit to keep our communities strong – people like Colbert Nembhard. Read More
July 05, 2017 NYC EMTs Help Panic-Stricken Riders of Derailed Subway Train Emergency medical technicians, members of DC 37, helped panic-stricken riders of derailed subway train after a recent crash. Read More
May 22, 2017 EMS Week: Celebrating Those Who Save Lives In life’s most desperate hours, EMS workers respond without hesitation. EMS Week is a chance to thank them for their bravery, skill and compassion. Read More
March 17, 2017 New York Emergency Medical Technician Killed in Ambulance Hijacking AFSCME is mourning the death of New York City Emergency Medical Technician Yadira Arroyo, killed by a man who attempted to commandeer her vehicle. A fellow EMT was injured. Read More