Public Employee Press

Four locals win new contracts

EMS workers get 17 percent increases in 51-month pact
In November, members of Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians Local 2507 and Uniformed Emergency Medical Service Officers Local 3621 ratified a new contract that raises wages by 17 percent over 51 months.

The pact also establishes a six-month pilot program to allow 12-hour tours for Brooklyn employees; if successful, the plan will be extended citywide.

“We believe the alternative work schedule will significantly improve the quality of work life and let members spend more time with their families,” Local 2507 President Patrick Bahnken said.

“It’s an excellent contract that helps bring us into line with the pay increases of other uniformed services,” said Local 3621 President Thomas Eppinger.

The pact provides 4 percent wage increases as of July 1, 2006, July 1, 2007, Aug. 24, 2008, and Aug. 24, 2009. The union expects the retroactive payments in early January.
The local executive boards served as the bargaining committee with the assistance of Director Dennis Sullivan and Assistant Directors Michael Musuraca and Barbara Terrelonge of the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept.

Other important gains include:

• Special assignment differentials for Paramedics in Rescue Medic units and officers who have completed rescue training and are assigned to the Haz-Tac Battalion.
• Labor-management committees to study possible pension enhancements, the salary structure of the Captain and Lieutenant titles and productivity issues.

Progress in salary review discussions
Now that DC 37 members have ratified the new economic agreement, the Salary Review Panel is expected to issue recommendations on the proposals before it.

The panel — which includes union and city negotiators and an impartial member — has met several times in recent weeks to evaluate proposals submitted by union locals to increase the pay for certain job titles. Discussions are focusing on the cost of the proposals.

The proposals include data showing that members in the titles covered are undercompensated when compared to other workers in the public and private sectors who have similar jobs.

New York Law School workers get 13 percent plus longevity hikes
Clerical workers and support staff at New York Law School voted unanimously Nov. 13 for a new contract that calls for a total wage increase of 13 percent over four years.

The pact also provides substantial increases in longevities, which will give most of the 26 Local 154 members at the school hikes of a few thousand dollars in the coming months as they hit their anniversary dates.

The salary increases include 3.5 percent retroactive to July 1, and 3 percent raises on July 1, 2009, July 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011. Other important gains are a new Employee Assistance Program, retiree health coverage and tuition reimbursement for spouses and domestic partners, and the right of probationary workers to use sick days as they accrue.

“We won a good contract in tough economic times thanks to the strong participation of our members,”Local 154 President Juan Fernandez said. Assistant DirectorMichele M. Trester of the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept. and Rep Marianela Santana worked with the negotiating team of Fernandez, NYLS Chapter Chair Egbert Isaacs, John Calder, Gemma Jacobs, Marie Tempesta and Cheryl Shields.

TBTA maintainers ratify pay raises
A new contract ratified overwhelmingly by members of Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority Maintainers Local 1931 provides $100 hikes in longevity allowances and retroactive pay raises of 3 percent on July 15, 2006,4 percent on July 15, 2007, and 3.5 percent on July 15, 2008.
Increased longevities for Assistant Maintainers and Maintainers call for a $900 annual hike at a worker’s sixth year, $1,300 at the 11th year, $1,700 at the 16th year and $2,100 at the 21st year. The longevity payments will now cover custodial workers.

The contract allows overtime for workers who go to work after completing daily jury duty assignments.

Wrecker drivers on rotating weekend schedules at the Verrazano Bridge will be rescheduled to steady Monday-to-Friday tours.

The agreement also improves the hats provided to workers in the winter.

Local President Franklin Silsdorf described as vital the technical assistance of Associate Director Evelyn Seinfeld of the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept., who worked with a negotiating team that also included Vice President Eric M. Treibman, 1st Vice President Anthony Mattia, Secretary Michael Gatti Sr. and Treasurer Steven Peterson. Members Richie LaRose, Gary Groller and Harry McKeon worked on the local team that came up with the demands.