Our Platform

Why are we running?

To build a more democratic, transparent, and member-run local that centers the collective knowledge, skill, and passion of our members. A strong union relies on member power to bring their creativity and abilities to build masses of employees ready to fight.

How will we improve Local 3005?

  • Build a democratic, member-run local
    • Increase member decision-making, democratic voting, and action-planning
    • Implement more accessible, efficient, and discussion-based meetings
    • Democratize knowledge and skills-building (e.g., dedicate more time to educating members on union benefits and other resources)
    • Empower shop stewards to carry out member organizing and grievance handling through training
  • Increase communication and transparency from leadership
    • Report back from executive board meetings and provide opportunities for membership to attend
    • Communicate in an open and timely manner with regular updates on contract negotiation meetings
    • Implement process for members to vote on endorsements, legislative priorities, and events
  • Be proactive as a local
    • Provide stronger messaging about labor power and connections between labor issues and social issues, particularly public health/sciences
    • Work in coalition with other labor groups to reform the Taylor Law, which prevents public employees like us from striking
    • Network with other DC 37 locals to share best practices and learn about similar challenges impacting their members
    • Participate in other labor events citywide and build coalitions with community members affected by Health Department and OCME policies

What will we fight for?

  • Bargaining for salary increases that outpace inflation. Our members run essential programs that serve New Yorkers, but our pay hasn’t kept up with inflation and we are devalued by constant budget cuts, hiring freezes, and reorganizations.
  • Enshrining work from home benefits in the contract and additional compensation for those who cannot work from home
  • Opposing the privatization and contracting out of union positions
  • Achieving equity in benefits among pension tiers
  • Protecting retiree health benefits
  • Pushing back on hiring delays and bureaucratic obstacles that prevent talented people from accepting city positions
  • Protecting members whose work is related to issues that have been under attack such as equity, vaccination, abortion, etc.

What do we mean by “Rank and File Voices”?

  • Members are the union — and we are at our most powerful in large numbers
  • Members should determine the strategic direction of their union (e.g., vote on contract negotiations, political endorsements, and union policies)
  • Members should build solidarity and support each other in our everyday struggles
  • Members should understand their union rights, entitled benefits, and resources

What are our core values?

  • Our working conditions are directly related to the city’s health and safety—we need to use our power in numbers to fight for a city budget that supports the critical work of our members
  • Structural racism, settler colonialism, Palestinian liberation, divestment from Israeli bonds, state violence, and mass incarceration are interconnected public health and science issues. We support Palestinian liberation and divestment from Israeli bonds. Bigotry of all forms weakens our union and needs to be eradicated from our workplaces.
  • It is our responsibility to improve the health and safety of not just union members but also the people that we love and live near in our communities (e.g., fighting for universal healthcare, protecting immigrants).

What are our long-term goals?

  • A collaboration with DC 37 PAC to lobby for increased funding for health services and OCME and city allocation of funds to equity issues, gender affirming care, abortion, housing, and other key services that our members provide
  • OMB reform to remove unnecessary delays from the hiring process for hundreds of unfilled positions
  • A city policy that prioritizes hiring contractors into unionized staff roles and unionized staff at the same/similar salary rates as contractors for salary parity
  • A united membership that wins strong contracts