On our site, you can download forms, contracts and get benefit information, you can look up contact information for union representatives including shop stewards; you can read the latest media covering the hard work of our members and union issues at In The News: To find out what we do and who we represent click on About Us.
You can also learn about up coming meetings on our Calendar page. We’ll also be putting up photos of Union events, both celebrations and struggles in our Events page.
So please go up to the site's navigational bar on top and click away.
We hope the sisters and brothers of our local, as well as visitors interested in who we are and what we do, will find the site both useful and informative. We have tried to make it easy for our members to find your benefit information and forms.
If you ever have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact the union office. Our number is 212- 815-1983.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Local 983 will be having a General Membership meeting Tuesday, Sept 1, at 6:00 pm. This will be a teleconference call. Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for Dial-in info.
The rubber is about to meet the road in the fight to make sure Congress funds the front lines. Senators are back in session, and they need to hear from us. They will hear from us.
We have new national television ads that we’re running on cable news stations beginning today. They explain in clear, stark terms what’s at stake right now for us and the people we serve.
Watch the ad – then demand that your senator take action now.
Here’s the bottom line: We need at least $1 trillion in financial assistance to states, cities, towns and school districts.
Without this aid, the public services that sustain our communities will be cut to the bone. Without it, more AFSCME members will be laid off or furloughed — even though our life-saving work is more important than ever during a global pandemic. Without it, schools can’t safely reopen in the fall. Without it, the economy will slip into a depression.
You’d think after two weeks of vacation that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would be ready with a bill that tackles the problem. Instead, he has announced a plan focused on protecting corporations from lawsuits instead of empowering working people.
So, this is the moment to raise our voices. Eighty-four percent of Americans support a $1 trillion aid package. The consensus among experts is that we need this aid to end this recession. Senators need to know that they can’t ignore public opinion or allow the economy to tank.
Our new ads will run on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News — all the channels our lawmakers watch, the channels running in senators’ offices all day long.
Check out the ad, then contact your senator and tell them: Fund The Front Lines.
Thank you for everything you’ve done over the last several months to ensure we have the resources to keep serving our communities at this pivotal moment. It’s time for a big push. Let’s get it done.
In solidarity,
Lee Saunders
AFSCME President
COVID RENT RELIEF PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE FOR NEW YORK TENANTS
APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 30, 2020
New York State has directed $100 million of federal stimulus funds toward rent relief. Tenants can now apply for these funds to offset the loss of income during the COVID-19 crisis.
The COVID Rent Relief Program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord. Tenants will not need to repay this assistance.
Applications are being accepted through July 30, 2020. The State Division of Homes and Community Renewal] will prioritize eligible households with “greatest economic and social need”
accounting for income, rent burden, percent of income lost and risk of homelessness.
Tenants may apply online at https://hcr.ny.gov/RRP
Applicants must provide the following
1. A copy of a lease or other proof of monthly rental amount; and
2. Proof of the household’s gross income, both prior to March 1, 2020 and at present (including paystubs, employer letters, and federal/state tax returns).
The COVID Rent Relief Program Call Center-833-499-0381 is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Email enquires may be directed to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Income Eligibility Requirements
Income Limits for tenants in New York City:
1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4 Person 5 Person 6 Person 7 Person 8+ Person
$63,700 $72,800 $81,900 $90,950 $98,250 $105,550 $112,800 $120,100
Income Limits for tenants in Nassau and Suffolk Counties:
1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4 Person 5 Person 6 Person 7 Person 8+ Person
$65,050 $74,350 $83,650 $92,900 $100,350 $107,800 $115,200 $122,650
Income Limits for tenants in Westchester County:
1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4 Person 5 Person 6 Person 7 Person 8+ Person
$62,550 $71,500 $80,450 $89,350 $96,500 $103,650 $110,800 $117,950
● All income must be included when determining your household income. Eligibility for this program is based on gross income, rather than take-home pay.
This includes benefits for all members of a household. This also includes Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PAC).
Who Is Eligible
● To be eligible for the COVID Rent Relief Program, applicants must have lost income during the period of April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020.
● To be eligible for the COVID Rent Relief Program, before March 1, 2020 and at the time of application, the household must have been paying more than 30% of its gross monthly income towards rent.
● Tenants receiving Section 8 or living in public housing are not eligible for this subsidy because their rent burden is already capped at 30% of gross household income.
● Households with at least one household member with U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status are qualified to receive the subsidy.
● Renters in apartment buildings or private homes are eligible for the subsidy.
● Renters do not have to be behind in rent to be eligible for relief. If a household has paid all or some of their rent during the period of April 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020 they may choose to have their
landlord treat the relief as pre-payment of rent for one or more months beginning August 2020. The household may also choose to have the landlord apply the payment to a security deposit if it was used to pay rent.
How The Subsidy Works
● Subsidy payment will be made directly to the landlord. The State anticipates issuing payment the end of the summer.
● Eligible households will receive a one-time rental subsidy that covers the DIFFERENCE between their “rent burden” on March 1, 2020 and their “rent burden” for the months they are applying for assistance.
Households may apply for one month or up to four months of assistance during this period. This one-time subsidy is paid directly to the resident’s landlord. For example, prior to the coronavirus pandemic,
your monthly household income was $2,000 and your monthly rent is $700. This means that on March 1, 2020, your rent burden was 35%. Today, due to a reduction in hours, your monthly income has
decreased to $1,400 and your rent remains the same. You are now paying 50% of your monthly income toward rent. You would be eligible for a subsidy that covers the 15% (50% - 35%) increase in
your rent burden, or $210. This subsidy would get you back to your pre-March 1, 2020 rent burden of 35%.
● There is a cap on the subsidy amount you can receive. For the purposes of calculating your assistance, your monthly contractual rent may not exceed 125% of the fair market rent per month for
each month’s assistance that you request. Fair market rents are calculated by HUD. For example: A resident living in a one-bedroom in Nassau County and pays $2,100 a month in rent.
The fair market rent for a one-bedroom in this county is $1,624. This household is still eligible for the subsidy, however, when their subsidy is calculated it will reflect a rent cap
of $2,030, which is 125% of the fair market rent.
125% of the fair market rent in New York City:
Studio 1 Bedroom 2 Bedroom 3 Bedroom 4+ Bedroom
$2,081 $2,143 $2,439 $3,090 $3,304
125% of the fair market rent in Nassau and Suffolk Counties::
Studio 1 Bedroom 2 Bedroom 3 Bedroom 4+ Bedroom
$1,623 $2,030 $2,490 $3,204 $3,573
125% of the fair market rent in Westchester County:
Studio 1 Bedroom 2 Bedroom 3 Bedroom 4+ Bedroom
$1,749 $2,051 $2,469 $3,179 $3,569
The law prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants based on what funds they use to pay their rent. This means that landlords and other housing providers
are legally required to accept COVID Rent Relief Program. If a landlord refuses to accept this payment, residents can file a SOI discrimination complaint with the
NYC Commission on Human Rights. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/cchr/help/residents.page
IF YOU RECEIVE COURT PAPERS OR A NOTICE OF EVICTION OR HAVE QUESTIONS CALL THE MELS SCREENING UNIT AT
(212) 815-1111 OR EMAIL This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
OUR LAWYERS AND LEGAL ASSISTANTS ARE STANDING BY TO HELP.
As AFSCME leaders, stewards, activists and members, we are facing unprecedented challenges – a global pandemic, a national fight for racial justice and equality, and looming budget shortfalls. As we stand up to this historic moment, we need to be stronger than ever as a union.
That’s why we are offering a series of webinars to AFSCME members to support your leadership development, strengthen your union-building skills and offer you innovative strategies to increase union activism during these unprecedented times.
The Academy will include:
The next two sessions in the series are Stewarding in a Crisis: Representing Workers Through Uncertain Times and Virtual Member Action Team (MAT) Structures: Executing Your MAT Under Crisis.
When registering, there is a two-part process to complete registration for the classes:
If you don't know your membership number, there is a process built in to help.
If you are not an AFSCME member, join today.
Yolanda Medina DeJesus
Director, Education and Leadership Training
Primary Day is just days away, Tuesday June 23. New York State law and a DCAS Personnel Services Bulletin allow municipal employees up to three hours time off for voting. https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/reports/440_3.pdf
Employees, including essential workers, must notify their employer in advance that they need time to vote. It may not be the entire three hours, just what is reasonable.
This is very important for essential employees who may still have long shifts, or employeees who work from home and have to account for time away from the computer.
We urge you to please support the progressive, labor-friendly candidates DC37 has endorsed. Here's the list of endorsements.
Early Voting at specified sites is under way and ends June 21. This is the best way to continue social distancing and avoid long lines on Primary Day. Click here to find a location near you. https://vote.nyc/page/early-voting-information
Also, absentee ballots must be returned by June 22.
It's time to Get Out The Vote! Please volunteer with the Political Action’s Get Out The Vote efforts. Sign up here for details. Can we count on you to spend a few hours each week helping us elected strong candidates?
###
Protect Your Rights And Benefits! We want you to be part of New York City’s largest public employee union, with 125,000 members and 50,000 retirees.
| Tue Sep 01 @ 6:00PM - General Membership Meeting - Teleconference |