This has been a year of political chaos, social unrest, and a destructive war of choice against Iran that is once again forcing working people to pay the price for decisions made by the billionaires running the White House. Families are struggling with rising costs, economic uncertainty is growing, and the same extremist forces that attack unions, public services, and democracy are trying to divide us and weaken our collective power.

But we are not powerless. In fact, this moment has made it clearer than ever that when working people stand together, we can fight back.

Across our union, across New York City, and the country, we are building a movement rooted in solidarity. We are reclaiming the values of fairness, common sense, and dignity for working people that have always carried us forward.

We saw our power on full display at Lobby Day as hundreds of DC 37 members and retirees flooded the hallways of the State Capitol. Participation hit an all-time high: more than 600 of you showed up to exercise your rights as union members and constituents of the elected leaders who make decisions for our state. Whether by car, train, or chartered buses from DC 37 Headquarters, our activists came prepared and focused on lobbying legislators to support the union’s agenda.

It was heartening to see our members and retirees show such dedication and active engagement while sharing their experience with elected officials to advocate for policies that will support workers and rallying to reform the Tier 6 pension.

As we continue advocating in Albany and at City Hall for funding that protects our members and the essential services they provide, DC 37 remains actively engaged on multiple fronts. Ongoing state budget delays continue to create uncertainty around key priorities, including pension reform, fair wages, and critical funding for New York City services, but our union continues to push for the resources working families deserve.

At the same time, DC 37 members have been showing up and making their voices heard. We have joined labor and community allies at public demonstrations defending workers’ rights and democracy and rallied in support of our home care members and opposing harmful proposals that threaten their jobs, services, and the stability of the care system. Whether in the streets, at the bargaining table, or in the halls of government, our union remains united in the fight for fairness, dignity, and economic justice for all working people.

The progress we make will not come from the sidelines. It will come from members who stay engaged, show up, speak out, and stand united in action. Every rally, march, meeting, and conversation strengthens our movement and sends a clear message: that working people will not back down.

Together, we must continue organizing, advocating, and mobilizing — not only for ourselves, but for the future of all workers.

Henry A. Garrido

This article originally appeared in the April-June 2026 issue of PEPTalk Magazine.