DC37

  • Health Care Bill Win a Step Forward to Rein in Hospital Costs
    By MIKE LEE On June 8, the New York City Council voted to approve the Healthcare Accountability & Consumer Protection Act. The law establishes the Office of Healthcare Accountability (OHA), which has the authority to oversee hospitals’ actions in pricing health care procedures at their institutions and to end the opaque practice of how citywide hospital systems do their business. The passage of the bill makes New York City the first municipality in the United States to establish an agency to oversee hospital pricing with authority and develop a grading system for each hospital’s transparency in revealing their health care costs. “New Yorkers shouldn’t have to struggle to understand the costs of health care services or go into debt to the lack of transparency,” said New York City Council Member Julie Menin, who introduced the legislation. “The HACP Act will help protect patients from inconsistent hospital pricing and level the playing field for consumers in the health care industry.” “Inflated rates by some private hospitals are one of the biggest threats to the foundation of our health care system,” said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido at a City Hall rally announcing the bill on Feb. 23. “Fulfilling this basic [...] — Jun 20
  • DC 37 June 27 Primary Endorsements for City Council, Bronx District Attorney — Jun 20
  • A Fighting Union: Campaign Key to Contract Victory
    By MIKE LEE Since early March, as reported in the previous issue of PEPtalk, DC 37 staff and leadership have led nearly 200 in-person worksite lunchtime meetings, engaging DC 37 members on matters involving the then-tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement and showcasing the variety of benefits the union offers members and their families. Directors and staff from DC 37 divisions representing locals covered by the contract traveled across the city to explain the tentative economic agreement at worksite “Union Days,” answering questions, educating members on their union benefits, and signing up non-members to join the union. Union Day meetings were held every day throughout March until the night before the vote count—in some cases, as many as four sessions a day. This field effort was the union’s first major in-person campaign since the pandemic and offered a valuable opportunity to connect one-on-one with members at jobsites throughout New York City. “We gave our team this directive. Our people took this on and accelerated.” “This effort has encouraged the entire staff, and they see how important these in-person meetings matter to our members and other city workers,” said Barbara Terrelonge, DC 37 Director of Field Operations. “As we went along, I witnessed [...] — Jun 20
  • The People United: Building a Union-Community Movement
    By MIKE LEE Are you interested in working with other union members to make a difference in your community? The newly relaunched DC 37 Community Alliance is an opportunity get involved in pushing the issues that matter to your neighborhood. The DC 37 Political Action Department recently led the effort to relaunch the initiative, which went dormant because of the pandemic. In the past, the Department hosted meetings throughout the city, sharing information about political events and union campaigns while creating vital relationships with members that became central to building DC 37’s political muscle. “We saw in the enthusiastic participation of DC 37 members during the contract campaign an opportunity to build a targeted approach in neighborhoods with the strongest union density,” said Odetty Tineo, DC 37 Political Action Director. “In these meetings is where we find leaders able to boost our future ground efforts.” As a member-led group of union activists, the DC 37 Community Alliance addresses local concerns and improves conditions in neighborhoods across New York City. The meetings allow union members to discuss the issues and challenges affecting fellow members and their families. After an initial meeting on March 30, the Community Alliance held online meetings covering [...] — Jun 20
  • Local 1503 Resolves Overtime “Supper Money” Grievance at the Met
    By MIKE LEE In certain situations, all it takes is the power of members and their Local leader to resolve a problem with management before it escalates. A member at the Metropolitan Museum of Art discovered he was not getting paid for his “supper money” overtime after being asked to come into work two hours early. He quickly informed Local 1503 President Rawle Campbell. When the Local served the Museum notice, management promptly settled the bill. “There is a provision in the local’s contract that speaks to supper money,” said Daniel McCabe, Parks Cultural and Higher Education Division Rep and former president of Metropolitan Museum of Art Employees Local 1503. “That’s when a worker is paid an hour at the appropriate rate after working 90 minutes overtime.” Patrick Kennedy, a Senior Special Officer at the Museum, discovered the unfair practice. “I noticed an inconsistency and contacted management,” said Kennedy, who is also the Local 1503 Recording Secretary. “I told management this could be resolved without going to a grievance. I also asked for a list of any affected members.” He brought the matter to the attention of President Campbell at the Local’s Executive Board meeting. “Once I was informed, I [...] — Jun 20