Public Employee Press

Union preps for contract talks

Committee members speak out on goals and tactics   “Our negotiators should bargain hard to restore the givebacks the union agreed to in previous contracts.” — Faye Moore, SSEU Local 371 President “People in the public sector have been taking a lot of hits. We have to say that we are not going to take this any more.” — Neal Frumkin, Retirees Association “It’s imperative that we educate our members about the facts to create support for the union’s contract bargaining.” — Santos Crespo, Local 372 Executive VP

By GREGORY N. HEIRES

Union leaders met Feb. 16 to begin planning strategy and demands for negotiations on a new economic agreement.

DC 37 negotiators anticipate that the new round of contract talks will be particularly challenging in light of the poor economy and the bleak city and state fiscal pictures. But even in this tough negotiating climate, union leaders said they will be fighting hard for a fair contract.

“We are facing a very interesting and difficult situation,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, addressing the DC 37 Negotiating Committee, which is made up of the union’s 55 local union presidents.

After additional meetings, the committee hopes to present the demands to the Delegates Council in March.

The current economic agreement expires March 2, but its terms will remain in effect while negotiations proceed.

The pact covers about 100,000 DC 37 members who work in city agencies, the Health and Hospitals Corp., the Housing Authority, cultural institutions and libraries.

Roberts led the meeting with DC 37 Research and Negotiations Director Dennis Sullivan, who gave an overview of the fiscal and bargaining climate.

“The budget backdrop is not the best we’ve had, but it’s not the worst we have coped with,” said Sullivan, pointing out that the city has not put funds for new contracts in the budget’s labor reserve and noting the mayor’s continuing pressure for cost reductions of $357 million in health care and $200 million in pensions.

However, said Roberts, “With the city’s $9 billion of wasteful spending on outside contractors and consultants, we are confident that the money is there for a decent economic agreement for our members, who continue to deliver great services even as the city cuts its staff to the bone.”

Negotiating Committee members offered suggestions for the union’s priorities and strategy during the upcoming talks. “The first thing we are going to be hit with is the city saying there is no money,” said Veronica Montgomery-Costa, president of DC 37 and Local 372. “We have to be prepared to dispute the city’s contention that layoffs and draconian spending cuts are necessary.”

“The city is abusing the contracting system,” said Local 1087 President Manual A. Roman, paying contractors far more than members.

“The issue is not to cut expenses but to raise revenues,” said Treasurer and Local 1407 President Maf Misbah Uddin. “Curbing contracting could fund a good raise.” He also argued that it is disingenuous of the city to scream poverty when it has up to $4 billion in uncollected taxes.

SSEU Local 371 President Faye Moore said the union should bargain hard to restore givebacks that the union agreed to in previous contracts.

Local 154 President Juan Fernandez said the contract should provide decent pay increases for all workers with extra compensation for veteran employees.

“The public sector has been under attack, and we have to say we are not going to take this any more,” said Neal Frumpkin of the Retirees Association.