Public Employee Press

CUNY and museum workers approve pacts

Natural history museum workers ratify working conditions pact

Members of American Museum of Natural History Local 1306 overwhelming approved a three-year working conditions contract with no givebacks.

The museum workers voted 76-33 on May 13 to support the new contract, which runs from Jan. 1, 2007, to Dec. 31, 2009.

The pact includes a $350 lump sum payment, due upon ratification, for all Local 1306 members. Local 1306 represents 250 Museum Attendant Guards at the American Museum of Natural History, where the secret ballot vote was held.

The pact provides for an annual shoe allowance and includes side letters in which the museum agreed to pay for the renewal of fireguard and security guard licensing fees in addition to continuing to provide microwave ovens in the lunch and lounge areas.

Local 1306 President Reggie Qadar led the local’s bargaining committee, whose members included Chris Bhim, vice president; Eric Mach, executive board member; Tammy Burney, recording secretary; Jesus Valentine, shop steward; and Bill Pearsall, chief steward. Assistant Director Barbara Terrelonge of the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept. provided technical advice and coordinated discussions with the management negotiations team, and Council Rep Madonna Knight also assisted.

CUNY workers pass economic agreement by huge margin
Members at the City University of New York solidly backed an economic agreement that will provide for a pay increase of 11.57 percent over 37 months.

On June 13, the American Arbitration Associationreleased the results of the mail ballot vote, reporting that 2,649 members — 99 percent of the voters — supported the agreement while only 30 members voted against it.

A union outreach to inform members about the terms of the contract encouraged members to make their voices heard. Over 57 percent of the eligible votes, or 2,700 members, returned their ballot. AAA sent out 4,700 ballots.

The pact runs from Oct. 1, 2006, to Oct. 31, 2009.

A significant gain in the contract is the establishment of a “dedicated sick leave” plan, which will allow employees to donate sick days to a sick bank for employees with long-term illnesses who have exhausted their leave.

The contract also boosts the meal and car allowances and the overtime cap, as well as the employer’s contribution to the union welfare fund. DC 37 union locals covered by the pact include 2504, 384, 1407, 375, 983, 1797, and 2627.

A “pay bill” for implementing salary increases wasbefore Gov. David Paterson as PEP went to press.