District Council 37 Requests Voluntary Recognition for Lantern Community Services Workers

District Council 37 AFSCME (DC 37), New York City’s largest union representing more than 150,000 workers across the non-profit, public, and private sectors, has formally requested voluntary recognition from Lantern Community Services, a non-profit organization providing shelter and supportive housing across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. The majority of Lantern workers have signed cards with DC 37 indicating their interest in joining the union.

In a letter to Lantern Executive Director Diane Louard-Michel, DC 37 called on the organization to recognize the union as the representative of more than 200 frontline workers, including case managers, residential aides, housing stability specialists, and social workers. These workers provide essential services to many of New York City’s most vulnerable residents.

“Given Lantern Community Services’ previous Labor Peace attestation with the City of New York, their public funding, and affiliated affordable housing partnership with the Mamdani administration, we’re optimistic that Lantern’s leadership will do right by their workers and agree to voluntarily recognize the union,” said Henry Garrido, DC 37 Executive Director. “Since 2019, DC 37 has proudly represented human services workers in the non-profit sector, and we look forward to welcoming these passionate and dedicated workers into our union family.” Read more here and follow the Lantern Workers Union here!