Mayor Adams, DC 37 Executive Director Garrido Announce Launch of Flexible Work Pilot for City Employees

June 1, 2023

First-of-Its-Kind Pilot Will Allow Eligible City Employees to Work Remotely Up to Two Days Per Week

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and District Council 37 (DC 37) Executive Director Henry Garrido today announced the launch of a flexible work pilot program for city employees. The flexible work pilot agreement, signed yesterday, May 31st, allows eligible employees to work remotely for up to two days per week — providing greater flexibility for city workers while ensuring the administration continues to “Get Stuff Done” for New Yorkers.

“As we make this shift into a post-pandemic reality for offices, we must do it in a thoughtful way in partnership with our union leaders,” said Mayor Adams. “I have always said that any flexible work programs the city offers must acknowledge the reality that there are some roles that cannot be performed remotely. This new pilot program will protect core services that New Yorkers rely on while offering city workers additional flexibility in their schedules. I thank DC 37 for their partnership through this process.”

“We heard DC 37 workers loud and clear over the course of our latest round of contract negotiations and agreed to establish a flexible work committee as part of the agreement,” said New York City Office of Labor Relations (OLR) Commissioner Renee Campion. “This pilot program we are launching today is a testament to our collaboration with DC 37, and we want to thank Henry Garrido and his team for their partnership.”

“The world of work has changed, and this remote-hybrid pilot is one tool in our arsenal to provide a flexible workplace that still delivers the best services for New Yorkers,” said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. “Thank you to the members of the Flexible Work Committee, including our Local presidents and DC 37 staff, for conducting due diligence and representing the interests and varied needs of our membership. The committee will continue to review City agencies’ plans for implementing hybrid work along with compressed tours, flex time and other alternative schedules for those members whose job functions are not conducive to remote work. We’re appreciative of the partnership with Mayor Adams and Commissioner Campion for bringing this pilot program to life.”

Under the contract agreement between the city and DC 37, the parties agreed to establish a Work Flexibility Committee to discuss work flexibility and other measures to enhance employee morale and recruitment and retention. The parties set a joint goal of establishing a pilot program by June 1, 2023.

The city will work closely with DC 37 on implementation at the agency level. Employee participation in the pilot is strictly voluntary. The city and DC 37 have also agreed to continue meeting to discuss alternative work flexibility measures for those employees whose job functions are not eligible for remote work.

The program will run until May 31, 2025, and will be renewed for a year thereafter if both parties agree.

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