THE CITY: Cuomo Gets Endorsement From City Government Workers’ Union
Teamsters Local 237, whose members provide school security and staff public housing, touted the former governor’s record as a builder primed to address the city’s affordability crisis. By Claudia Irizarry Aponte, THE CITY Photo Credit: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY Read More>
New Contract Approved by Elevator Mechanics
Local 237 Elevator Mechanics, Supervisors and Helpers have overwhelmingly ratified a new contract that provides annual raises, retro-pay and a signing bonus, as well as the protection of healthcare and supplemental union benefits.
An online training series to educate and refresh our Stewards, Liaisons and Grievance Reps on their duties and offer tools for success. Register by Friday, May 2.
President Floyd hosts a weekly half-hour public affairs radio program. Floyd's special guest Sat. May 10th will be NYS Assembly Member O’Pharrow. Tune in Saturdays on AM970 The Answer at 2:30 and 9:00pm and on AM570 The Mission at 4:30pm, unless preempted by a sports event. The show can also be seen on Local 237's website, YOUTUBE and FACEBOOK social media platforms.
New York State is proving child care scholarships to essential workers. Essential workers include first responders such as health care providers, pharmaceutical staff, law enforcement, firefighters, food delivery workers, grocery store employees and others who are needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Child care costs will be covered for essential staff whose income is less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level – or $78,600 for a family of four – and will be paid up to market rate for each region statewide. This funding can also be used to purchase supplies for child care providers statewide who remain open, including masks, gloves, diapers, baby wipes, baby formula and food. Click here for more information.
Interested parents can apply via this form and child care providers can apply via this form. There are four Child Care Resource and Referral agencies working on this project in New York City. One of the agencies will respond within 24 hours of form completion.
On June 26th, Mayor de Blasio appointed Joseph K. Adams Sr. to the NYCHA Board of Directors. Adams is the first 237 member or retiree to serve on the board!
The NYCHA Board is comprised of seven members appointed by the Mayor, including three members who are current residents of public housing and have a
direct say in NYCHA’s operations. Board members’ duties include voting on contracts, resolutions, policies, motions, rules and regulations that affect all NYCHA residents.
Adams is exceptionally well qualified. He served for many years as a Local 237 Shop Steward and Grievance Representative and has been a NYCHA resident for more than 20 years. His practical experience will be a great asset to NYCHA as the board tackles unprecedented challenges.
Joseph K. Adams Sr. currently resides at Manhattan’s Sondra Thomas Apartments. He is a former resident of Manhattan’s Woodrow Wilson Houses and the Bronx’s Patterson Houses. Adams’ extensive experience in advocating on behalf of the community is reflected through the jobs he’s held and his volunteer work over the past few decades.
He is a member of New York Communities for Change, was Vice President of John Jay College’s Able Forces Club (which advocates for students with disabilities), and. A School Safety Agent for over 15 years, he later worked at his alma mater, CUNY’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice, as a Research Assistant for a professor in the Department of Africana Studies and as a Research Coordinator in the Women’s Center’s Department of Counseling.
While overcoming a learning disability, Adams obtained his High School Equivalency Diploma. He later earned his bachelor’s degree and Master of Public Administration degree from John Jay College. Adams received certification in public advocacy and leadership from the Joint Public Affairs Committee’s Institute for Senior Action.
He raised four of his six children as a single parent while living in public housing, and was proud to see them graduate from elite high schools and universities, including Harvard University and the University of Chicago.
The entire leadership and staff of Local 237 applauds his appointment to the NYCHA Board of Directors and wishes him and the entire board success in improving and preserving our city’s public housing.
Local 237 recently hosted a safety training session at Ravenswood Houses— the first among several— to provide valuable tips from security experts, on how workers can help ensure their safety in the workplace. Local 237 President, Gregory Floyd, in his welcoming remarks, told the members how this session came about and encouraged them to follow the recommendations they were going to hear from the professionals in the field.
As Floyd noted: “You are here today to talk about ways that you can protect yourself and feel safe on the job. One year ago, we weren’t so sure we would get this day. As many of you may know, our union was opposed to the Flex Ops program as originally designed. We felt that our members were not well protected. We were especially concerned about your safety working on those shifts. We took our concerns to Court. The judge agreed and the program was halted. Our concerns had to be addressed first. Next, we sat down with the housing authority to suggest ways Flex Ops could work better for you. We said: Here’ s what’s important. Make it voluntary and give monetary incentives. But that’s not all. We told them that our biggest concern was your safety. That had to be ensured. NYCHA agreed. So we hired security experts, McLean Security, to analyze safety problems and make recommendations on how to solve them. We said those safety issues had to be addressed by NYCHA before the program kicked in. We also advocated for monitoring those safety measures on a regular basis to make sure we were achieving our goals. The other thing we said was that a safety brochure had to be created that clearly outlines ways you can help yourself be safe. That was done. Here it is. But that’s not all. We wanted you to hear from these experts yourself and get those safety tips in person. We care about you. We know you take pride in your work, but that can only happen when you feel good about your workplace. In fact, that’s when you’re even more productive. So for the union, for the housing authority, and for our members, today is a win win, win!”
Union Laid the Groundwork for Good Casino, OTB Jobs on LI
Workers at Jakes 58 Casino in Islandia on Long Island began working under their first Local 237 contract earlier this year. These 140 members are involved in all aspects of the casino’s operations and include members of the Count/Drop team, Main Bankers, Cage Cashiers, Floor Attendants, Guest Services and Player Rewards, Security Officers, Security Officer EMTs, EVS Attendant Cleaners and EVS Attendant Heavy Cleaners. In addition to fair wages, full-time workers gained health benefits. Donny Strein, a Jake’s Security Officer said, "There's nothing better than having peace of mind knowing you're supported and respected by such a great union and the people who represent it. Thank you Local 237!”
Jake’s workers join more that 100 Suffolk Off Track Betting (OTB) workers who are long-time members of Local 237s Long Island Division. OTB members also recently ratified a contract that provides raises and retro pay. Catherine Rice is the Business Agent for OTB and Jake's members.
A few years ago, the future for workers in Long Island’s gambling industry did not look so bright. When Suffolk OTB filed for bankruptcy, Local 237 mobilized to save the OTB and the jobs that it provides.
The union, working at the state and local levels, helped to rescue OTB and open Suffolk County’s first video slot casino. Local 237 President Floyd explained, “Our union deployed our resources and used our political clout to save and create good Long Island jobs. Our OTB members have also made sacrifices. I’m pleased that we were able to negotiate a good contract that makes OTB workers whole and allows them to support themselves and their families. And I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome our newest members at Jake’s Casino into the Local 237 family!”
Local 237 Recording Secretary and Political Director Patricia Stryker added, “This proves the power we have as union members. Not only did we succeed in saving the jobs of Local 237 members, we created new ones and increased local tax revenues which benefits the entire community.”
Take advantage of the free Financial Planning Program offered by the Teamsters Local 237 Welfare Fund to all Citywide and Housing members. The program provides personal financial planners to review your finances, answer financial questions and assist you in developing a financial strategy.
There is no cost to you - it is paid for by the Fund. Stacey Braun Associates, Inc., one of the 500 largest investment advisors in the world, administers the program. The Financial Counseling Program provides access to qualified professionals, Certified Financial Planners® and Registered Investment Advisors to provide objective, unbiased financial advice.
Call Stacy Braun Associates at 888-949-1925, or attend a presentation. Presentations have been scheduled for five dates and locations – choose the one that works best for you.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017 - Francis Lewis HS – 58-20 Utopia Parkway, Fresh Meadows NY 11365
Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - Grand Street Campus – 850 Grand Street, Brooklyn NY 11211
Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - Michael J Perides HS – 715 Ocean Terrace, Staten Island NY 10301
Monday, April 17, 2017- South Shore HS – 6565 Flatlands Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11236
Monday, April 24, 2017 - Dewitt Clinton HS – 100 West Mosholu Parkway South, Bronx NY 10468
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