Executive Director of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 37, Henry Garrido, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent historical contract agreed to with New York City.
DC 37 is New York City's largest public sector employee union. It currently represents about 150,000 active members, with another 100,000 retired members. The new contract received a 98 percent approval vote by the members of DC 37. The effective date of the contract is retroactive to May 21, 2021.
Garrido discussed the benefits gained in the new contract, including the first pay raise for DC 37 workers since the pandemic. Along with the pay raise comes four more compound pay raises for the life of the contract that would raise wages by nearly 16 percent. Garrido went into further detail on the rest of the benefits DC 37 members earned with their new contract.
Garrido said this was the toughest contract negotiation he has ever faced. However, he appreciated the way Mayor Eric Adams approached the negotiations in good faith and was a willing negotiator during the process. Garrido feels this was the toughest contract due to the variety of jobs represented by DC 37. With some workers able to work remotely, a first for a labor contract in New York City, and others having jobs that require you at a work site, ensuring everyone received benefits was the greatest challenge, said Garrido.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.