The roads you took to work this morning. The clean and safe water that you brushed your teeth with. The bus that picked your kids up for school.

Our taxes make all of these public services — and so much more — possible. They make our communities possible. And we're proud to invest in our common good.

Locals 374, 1321, 1482 and 1930 and DC 37 are embarking on our campaign to baseline library funding.  Our libraries need real budget reform because every year the Mayor proposes drastic budget cuts and the City Council restores them.  Meanwhile, Library supporters and staff spend months wondering what will the Libraries do next year.  Read more >>>

Queens Library President/CEO Tom Galante, Lauren Comito, ULU and President John Hyslop along with our counterparts at BPL and NYPL testified today at the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations and Select Committee on Libraries. The Council's website says we can view it here.

When you get a moment, thank the Council Members on the Committee:
Chairman Jimmy Van Bramer, 718-383-9566, 
Chairman Vincent Gentile, 718-748-5200
Council Member Leroy Comrie, 718-776-3700, 
Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, 718-366-3900
Council Member Inez Dickens, 212-678-4505
Council Member Daniel Dromm, 718-803-6373
Council Member Andy King, 718-684-5509
Council Member Domenic Recchia, 718-373-9673
 

On November 6, 1997, the Union and Administration signed our October 1, 1996 to September 30, 1999 contract. After many false starts, failed bargaining sessions, changes in key personnel and layoffs, we will soon have a complete contract that incorporates the side letters and stipulations the Union and Administration have agreed to since 1999. Until the revised contract is complete, we have included the side letters and stipulations on our website. Read more >>>

Members of Local 1321 of District Council 37 and concerned patrons of the Queens Borough Public Library have filed a lawsuit in Queens County Court to obtain copies of the library’s Board of Trustees’ minutes.  Follow the link to the lawsuit. Read more >>>

 Local 1321 created an overview of some of of the questions and issues members should consider before they retire.  Follow the link to download the helpful document. Read more >>>

It continues.  We had our second negotiations session Sep 24, 2012.  Our first meeting was Nov 10, 2011.

This is one of many bargaining sessions and both parties are still trying to figure out each other's position.

Our positions are:

• Inflation: Since March of 2009, the last time we had a wage increase, the Consumer Price Index rose by 7.9%. We need a raise to keep up.
• Productivity: Over the past few years, every city agency has last people through attrition and layoffs. We now do the same or more work with a lot less. Therefore we are being more productive. This includes, as we know, the Library.
• Overtime: The City spent $1.2 billion on overtime in FY 2012. Managing this overtime better could save the city a lot of money.
• Privatization: The City spends billions of dollars a year paying private contractors for work that was done by city employees. Many of these contracts have cost of living increases in them, while we have not had a raise in 3.5 years.
• Revenue generating ideas: DC 37 provided the City with many recommendations to raise revenue, including the hiring of additional tax auditors that the City itself estimates will increase audit revenue by $350 million between FY 12 and FY 14.
• NYS PEF and CSEA employees not comprable: NYS employees have a cost of living increase built into their contract. NYC employees do not.

DC 37 reiterated numerous times we are considerably more productive than we were three years ago and the City has considerable amount of money to fund raises. The City did not deny this but stated they could use these savings and extra revenue for what they want.

Keep in mind, this was the first meeting that anything of substance was discussed. We will have more meetings.

I am impressed with DC 37's research into City revenue generation and our negotiations.

Queens Library customers are telling the world why they love their Library in 30 seconds or less.  Here's a summary of what happened!

 Over 40 library supporters listened to Queens Library supporters, including NYS Senator Joseph Addabbo and City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley's representative Kate Mooney, talk about their love of libraries and how important we are to them. It was great to hear from the people who use our libraries. Their genuine, impromptu testimonies about how great our libraries are was very moving. Congratulations to the Richmond Hill Community Library staff for making this a success!

Go to http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/Calendar.aspx?Mode=Today search for "libraries", select "this year" from the menu, click on Search Calendar and click on any of the videos on the right column to see testimonies of and questions from City Councilmembers for the 3 New York library systems. Among the topics of recent discussions include layoffs, funding, new services in the systems, and much more.

Queens Library Guild, Local 1321 members and their partners fought to save New York City's libraries. Our advocacy campaign convinced our politicians that this city's libraries are an essential service and we needed full restoration. The Queens Library staff throughout Queens made a tremendous effort to advocate for their libraries. We held rallies, petition and postcard signing events, read-ins, hugs and other creative events.

The Center for Urban Future’s Branches of Opportunity, details how New York City’s libraries are utilized, that they are under-funded and continuing budget cuts have not kept pace with customers’ growing needs. Read more >>>

While DC 37 recovers from the storm Sandy, you can use the following temporary contacts.

DC 37 Health and Security

• Members and retirees should call 212-815-1234 to inquire about DC 37 Health and Security disability, prescription drug and other benefits.
• Also, you may reach the DC 37 Health and Security at 718-852-1016, 718-852-0895, 718-852-1042 and 718-852-1066.

DC 37 Political Action and Legislation

• To reach the DC 37 Political Action & Legislation Dept., please contact the Albany office at: 518-436-0665 (phone) and 518-436-1066 (fax). Messages will be relayed to the New York City staff.

DC 37 Municipal Employees Legal Services

• DC 37 Municipal Employees Legal Services can be reached at 212-815-1111. If you have already been assigned a MELS attorney, you can reach that attorney by calling the phone number she/he has previously given you.