President Joseph Puleo Testifies on Parks Safety and Cleanliness Crisis 

NYC Council Committee on Parks and Recreation - March 20, 2025

Last summer, the city’s parks were flush with maintenance crews as New Yorkers streamed into green spaces after a long pandemic winter.

"We're in a crisis situation when it comes to both cleanliness and safety in our parks. It is probably the all-time worst and what I find most frustrating is it's not coming from enemies; this is coming from friends. These are people who were elected and told us they were going to do things for us, like the 1%. Not only did we not get the 1%, but we got a reduction in workforce, just the exact opposite of what we were promised. So this, from my standpoint, is frustrating and it's outrageous how we could put our people out there in harm's way. Not only the patrons but also our PEP Officers with a reduced force. That means that they are scattered thin," Local 983 President Joe Puleo testified. CLICK HERE to watch his testimony before the Committee on Parks and Recreation.

Puleo Testifies
Family Fun Day

Family Fun Day 2025

Saturday, May 17
Noon - 5 p.m

June General Membership Meeting

General Membership Meeting

Tuesday, June 3

Real or Enhanced ID Required for Domestic Flights

Real or Enhanced ID Required for Domestic Flights

Beginning May 7

Free Bachelor's Degree Completion Program 

A life-changing opportunity from your union. AFSCME has partnered with Central State University (CSU), a regionally accredited public, non-profit university, to provide members and their families the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degree - FOR FREE. And, to meet growing demand, we’ve now added Franklin University. This accredited non-profit university is a leader in helping busy adult learners finish their degrees

Union Opens Second Citytime Lawsuit for AHRs in DOT

Local 983 AHRs working for the NYC Department of Transportation may be entitled to compensation for unpaid and underpaid overtime. So far, more than 480 AHRs have been paid $3 million in a previous lawsuit. These are individual lawsuits, and not a class action suit being brought by Local 983, so you must sign onto the lawsuit yourself. PLEASE CLICK HERE to sign onto the second lawsuit and recoup money you may be entitled to for unpaid and underpaid overtime compensation. If you have any questions about the lawsuit, please contact Vice President Ralph Baselice.

Union Opens Third Citytime Lawsuit for Parks Members

Local 983 members working for the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation in the titles of Urban Park Ranger, Associate Urban Park Ranger, and Associate Park Service Worker may be entitled to compensation for unpaid and underpaid overtime. So far, more than 500 members in these same titles have been paid $3 million from previous lawsuits. These are individual lawsuits, and not a class action suit being brought by Local 983, so you must sign onto the lawsuit yourself. PLEASE CLICK HERE to sign onto the third lawsuit and recoup money you may be entitled to for unpaid and underpaid overtime compensation. If you have any questions about the lawsuit, please contact Vice President Ralph Baselice.

UPR/AUPR "Volunteer" Overtime

We have been advised that the New York City Parks Department has been forcing members in the AUPR & UPR titles to "volunteer" for overtime, then paying it out as comp time instead of cash overtime. The comp overtime is being paid out at straight rate and not premium rate as required by law.

We are advising you to save all final approved overtime sheets reflecting the comp overtime being paid out at straight rate and email a copy of them to rjohnbase@gmail.com.

Do not volunteer! The Agency has to pay premium rate and be held accountable!

STRONGER TOGETHER

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District Council 37 

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