DC37 CLIMATE JUSTICE COMMITTEE MEETING
Fwd: Jon Forster
The DC37 Climate Justice Committee is meeting TOMORROW, Tuesday, July 8th, at 6:00 PM via Zoom and Telephone. If you want to join us and are not on this email "Recipient" list please email 4unionnow@gmail.com or the Committee Chair, Lorraine Barcant (lorraine.barcant@gmail.com). The Zoom and Telephone links will be sent out shortly before the meeting on Tuesday.
DC37 is organizing to get members involved in fighting back against the proposed Federal Budget cuts which include major cuts to Head Start programs; $230 Billion cut in SNAP subsidies affecting 560,000 New Yorkers; $ 2.5 Billion cut in NYC in Healthcare and Education costs; and the closing of half of all Social Security offices, among other things. Please see the DC37 website. Get Involved! In Unity there is Strength!
A brief summary of the DC37 Delegates meeting on 6/16/25 will be provided at the beginning of the meeting.
The DC37 Climate Justice Committee is also continuing discussions establishing priorities for 2025 - 26 see below, and additions and deletions to the agenda are encouraged!
1) Working with the TEMP Coalition (chaired by NYCOSH and WEACT) and others in on-going efforts to establish recognized guidelines for DC37 members and others in dealing with increasingly hot temperatures due to the growing climate crisis. Rising temperatures especially impact DC37 outdoor workers but also kitchen staff in our schools and others working in confined spaces. This issue includes pushing for Legislation in Albany (Assembly Bill 3527, https://legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/2025/A3527) and keeping up to date on Federal research and policy. More information on the Coalition can be found here: https://www.weact.org/campaigns/extreme-heat-coalition/
2) Working to improve ventilation and reduce flooding in our public schools. This includes:
a) Working with the Climate Works for All Coalition (CW4A), the UFT CJC, NY Renews, the DOE and others in securing and directing funding for improved school ventilation and establishing an SCA Ventilation Unit to systemically assess ventilation issues in NYC public schools;
b) Doing air quality testing in targeted schools and assessing the impact of installing air purifiers in these schools;
c) Pursuing Legislation in Albany to include "climate change" as part of the required NYS public school curriculum - 5278 A.
d) On-going climate education programs in NYC public schools
3) Developing Climate Contract Recommendations including Heat Standards, "Common Good" issues; ensuring Remote Work; compensation for work disruptions due to climate events; strengthening anti-privatization language, and establishing conservation and recycling standards, among others. Attached please see former Contract Recommendations. Also, the Chicago Teachers' Union recently endorsed a contract that included both climate and community concerns and is worth looking at.
4) Encouraging Worker involvement in office conservation, recycling and review of design upgrades in office reconstruction projects. We are hoping to get member participation from several DC37 Locals in pre-construction scope meetings to provide recommendations on safety, heat protocols, ventilation, flood prevention and other topics of immediate concern to union members.
5) Expanding participation in this Committee through the better use of DC37 communication and educational resources. This will include sponsoring a "Climate as a Workplace Issue" panel discussion to be held at the DC37 Headquarters.
6) Hosting a 10th Year Anniversary Celebration of the founding of the DC37 Climate Justice Committee.
7) The next meeting of this Committee will be on the First Tuesday of the Month - August 5th at 6:00 PM