Public Employee Press

Members ratify contract

50,886 vote yes, 872 no; raises due in February

By GREGORY N. HEIRES

DC 37 members voted by nearly 98 percent to ratify the new two-year economic agreement that guarantees them a pay increase of more than 8 percent during the most severe economic downturn in decades.

Of the 103,506 ballots mailed out, more than 50 percent were returned and 50,886 — 97.9 percent — voted for the contract while 872 voted no. The impartial American Arbitration Association ran the vote process and counted the ballots Dec. 8 at its Manhattan headquarters.

“We listened to our members’ needs, and their overwhelming vote for the new economic contract indicates that we met them,” DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts said. “At a time when so many people are very worried about their jobs and family budgets, the dedicated, hard-working city employees in District Council37 can feel happy and proud about this contract.”

Members echoed her feelings.

“In this economy with people losing jobs, we are getting a raise. This is a great contract!” said Local 420 member Poonam Montuoro, a Patient Care Associate at Elmhurst Hospital.

Call Center Representative Francis Pugliese, a member of Local 1549, said the contract “gives us a good, fair raise that’s larger than they are getting in the private sector.”

The union and city concluded talks on Oct. 30 after negotiating for a year. Roberts led the bargaining with Research and Negotiations Director Dennis Sullivan and the Negotiating Committee, which is made up of the union’s 56 local presidents.

Pay increases over 8 percent
The contract provides for a 4 percent increase retroactive to March 3, 2008, and an additional 4 percent on March 3, 2009. With compounding, the value of the raise amounts to 8.16 percent for over 100,000 members covered by the contract. The agreement, which doesn’t call for any givebacks, lasts from March 3, 2008, through March 2, 2010.

On the last day of the contract, the wage increases will be applied to “additions to gross,” which include payments such as assignment differentials, longevity increments and uniform allowances.

In addition, for titles that get Recurring Increment Payments, the contract increases the RIPs by the percentage of the wage hikes.

The combination of the wage hikes and the increases in RIPs and additions to gross brings the total value of the pact for workers to 8.26 percent.

“We worked very hard to achieve a contract that preserves our health and other benefits, maintains the terms of the previous contract and provides fair raises during tough economic times,” Sullivan said.

The contract covers members at mayoral agencies, the Health and Hospitals Corp., the Housing Authority, libraries and cultural institutions. It does not cover state and prevailing wage employees, workers at the Emergency Medical Service, the City University of New York, School Construction Authority, New York Law School, Institute of Ecosystem Studies, One Source and Renaissance/Charter Schools, and TBTA Maintainers.

“I am happy that we were able to get raises that will help with our living expenses and make it easier to pay our bills for rent and transportation and to put food on our table.” —Robert Delaney Local 420

“No givebacks was wonderful. The increased percentages are not enough, but given the current environment, it’s the best deal we could have gotten.” —Teri Neufeld Local 768

“The contract is very good. It is the best we could have gotten because of the budget deficit and the looming financial crisis that the city faces.” —Ralph Vanacore Local 371

“Excellent. Good job. I’m proud of my union.” —Faizul Q. Haq Local 1549

“As professionals, we could do better and we need more than what was given. But because of the economic times, we accept this.” —Orlana McKenzie Local 1407

Members gather information about the new economic contract during a meeting Nov. 19 at DC 37. The union held informational sessions at work locations throughout the city before the vote.