Public Employee Press

Contract speakout

What Negotiating Committee members say about proposed pact

We continue to see that the economy is showing signs of stress. Considering this economic climate, I think this is the best possible offer we can get. — Veronica Montgomery-Costa, Local 372, DC 37 President (Signing memorandum of understanding Oct. 30.)		As the state of the economy indicates across America, reaching this agreement makes sense for us. It puts cash in my members’ pockets. — Maf Misbah Uddin, Local 1407, DC 37 Treasurer	An eight percent raise in this economy is good. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. The contract has no givebacks or concessions, but the city ignored changes we hoped members would get. — Eileen Muller, Local 1482	If Bloomberg is re-elected, we will be negotiating with him again in 2009 and 2010. The mayor is looking out for the financial sector first, so we look bad when we demand what we deserve. — Faye Moore, Local 371
	We absolutely deserve more, but this was the city’s last, best offer. If we reject it, we have no guarantee the same offer will come around again. I don’t want to tell the members,We had a better offer but it’s off the table now. — Peter Stein, Local 508	We are fighting two wars that are draining money from public services. Our members are trying to survive. Four percent each year is better than having lint in our pockets. Our members have to deal with the economic disaster Wall Street created. — Marvin Williams, Local 1665	Our members deserve more. But with the dismal economy, we had to take this offer because we did not want to lose the four and four percent compounded raise. Next year we’ll be at the table again. We can live with this and fight for more. — Eddie Rodriguez, Local 1549	Of course we are entitled to more. But in these economic times, eight percent is better than nothing. The city could have not come back to the bargaining table, or they could have offered less. At least we can build from here. — Walthene Primus, Local 957