Henry Garrido

Henry A. Garrido is the first Latino to head DC 37, the largest municipal employees union in New York City. A native of the Dominican Republic, Garrido assumed the position on Dec. 31, 2014.

DC 37’s 121,000 members work in mayoral agencies, public schools, city libraries, cultural institutions, the Health and Hospitals Corporation, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, School Construction Authority, emergency medical services, the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, the Unified Court System and New York Law School.

Before becoming executive director, Garrido served as associate director.

As associate director Garrido’s responsibilities included testifying at City Council and the state Legislature on behalf of DC 37 members and coordinating the union’s white paper project, which addressed city waste by investigating contracting out and identifying revenue sources. Garrido also was involved in an initiative on sustainability and green jobs in New York State.

Garrido also helped establish a housing program for municipal employees. The Municipal Employees Housing Program handles more than $3 million in grants for first-time homebuyers, foreclosure prevention services and an educational and counseling program. The program also provides a preference for municipal employees in all city- and state-sponsored apartment lotteries.