Public Employee Press

Sign up with the DC 37 Retirees Association

By JOAN KLIPS

For many DC 37 members, union activism doesn't end after retirement.

With over 26,000 members, the Retirees Association of DC 37 is one of the largest union retiree organizations in the country. The group offers a wonderful opportunity for municipal employees to remain active after leaving the municipal workforce.

Our retirees, who enjoy the security of a traditional, defined-benefit pension plan that guarantees a steady monthly income, live around the country. In addition to New York, we have chapters in Florida and North Carolina.

Association members, who pay only a $3 monthly fee, enjoy free weekly dance and computer classes, as well as classes in arts and crafts, Black History, American Studies and Jewish History. We organize frequent visits to museums, restaurants and Atlantic City. And we even arrange affordable cruises.

But we're not just a social club. Although we are no longer on the city payroll, we are not immune from New York City's budget problems. Our benefits derive from the legislative process, so we are directly affected by what happens at the local, as well as at the state and national levels of government. So, we are in the vanguard of efforts to fight cutbacks that may affect our pension, health care and other benefits. We run get-out-the-vote campaigns in elections. With mailings and phone banking, we work to get pro-union politicians elected.

We also join demonstrations to support our common interests. We engage in lobbying, working with the union's political action machine, which represents 120,000 city employees in 55 union locals. We also work closely with the Retirees Dept. of our national union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, on state and national campaigns, efforts that have included our successful fight to obtain a pension cost-of-living adjustment and the defeat of President Bush's plan to privatize Social Security.

How do you join the association?

All you have to do is sign a card upon retirement. Your local picks up the $3 monthly fee for the first year. After that, you may pay the fee by cash or check. The easier way to pay is with a "check-off" from your Social Security check. Stop by the association's office in Room 980 at DC 37 headquarters at 125 Barclay St. in Lower Manhattan to pick up a card or learn more about our activities-or call 212-815-1781.