Public Employee Press

Zoo workers ratify pact

Local 1501 members at the Central Park Zoo, Flushing Meadows Park Zoo and Prospect Park Zoo voted unanimously Oct. 2 to approve a new working conditions contract.

The new pact covers more than 100 employees. It is retroactive to Jan. 1 and lasts until Dec. 31, 2005.

“We are very happy to win some important improvements during a year in which we faced the threat of closings, layoffs and severe budget cuts,” said Anthony Bigone, president of Local 1501.

Under key provisions of the new pact:

• Employees can carry over up to 60 annual leave days and 60 earned days (credited holidays) each year.
• Employees will no longer have to use earned or vacation time before Workers Comp coverage kicks in.
• New employees will be entitled to welfare benefits after 90 days rather than after their six-month probationary period.
• Members who pick up and deliver at the Bronx Zoo will get a pay differential.

In negotiations, the Wildlife Conservation Society sought to roll back maternity leave from three years to 12 months. In the end, the negotiators agreed that the three-year maximum would continue and that workers on maternity leave would notify the employer of their intended return date after being out for one year.

The Local 1501 bargaining committee included Mr. Bigone, Vice President Bob Terracuso, Treasurer Marty Zyburu, Secretary Wendy Canino, and Shop Stewards Eddie Wright (Central Park), Wayne Peters (Prospect Park), and Ira Goldman and Marcie Farley (Flushing Meadows).

Assistant Director Frank Burns of the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Department, Assistant Director Michael Riggio of the DC 37 White Collar Division and DC 37 Rep Madonna Knight provided key technical advice.