By Gregory N. Heires

Using the 1 percent additional compensation provided by the DC 37 economic agreement, the Accounting and Electronic Data Processing Unit has raised longevity pay and service increments for 4,500 workers.

The unit concluded negotiations with the city and the Health and Hospitals Corp. on Sept. 5.
The 27-month 2000-2002 agreement provided for two 4 percent raises and additional compensation equal to 1 percent-based upon the Dec. 31, 1999 payroll, on the last day of the contract, June 30.
For eligible workers, the longevity pay and service increments are being implemented quickly. Employees will receive back pay to cover the period since June 30.

"Our goal was to treat everyone as equally as possible," said Edward W. Hysyk, president of Electronic Data Processing Employees Local 2627 and secretary of District Council 37. "We were happy to achieve that."

Most of the Local 2627 members covered by the agreement will receive a boost of more than $600 in their first- or third-year longevity pay. A small group, the Systems Analyst (EDP) title series, will get a three-year service increment of $621. Another small group, Systems Administrators (CDF), will receive a hefty three-year longevity hike of $1,572 to make up for shortfalls in past contracts.

"We wanted to provide increases to as many people as possible while also structuring the increases to reflect additional years of service," said Maf Misbah Uddin, president of Accountants, Actuaries and Statisticians Local 1407. "This way the union can reward people for their dedication to public service."

The bulk of the local's members will receive an additional $400 for their three-year service increment, $487 more for five years and a boost of $659 for their twelfth year. Bookkeepers and others in the same longevity differential group will get a $500 increase in their three-year longevity. System Analysts (Finance) will receive a $500 increase in their recurring increment payment.

The unit pact also calls for an additional $232 in the three-year and five-year service increments of Research Assistants, who are represented by Amalgamated Professional Employees Local 154. "These are built-in increases that will provide a cushion for our members in economic bad times for their entire career," said Local 154 President Juan Fernandez.

Besides Mr. Fernandez, Mr. Uddin and Mr. Hysyk, the unit bargaining committee members included, from Local 2627, 1st Vice President Jim Wilkinson, 2nd Vice President Gary Goff, Ira Kurtze, Charles Michaels, Kathrine Kurzius and Robert Fishburne. Local 1407's team included Vice President Jed Matalon, Secretary Orlana McKenzie, Kenneth Mercer, Mohamed Selim, O'Ray Martinez, Arelen Aikens and Kevin M. Vincent; and from Local 154, Laura Salamon. Assistant Director Moira Dolan of the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept. provided key technical assistance in the negotiations.