Public Employee Press

Hikes in differentials and allowances coming soon

Thousands of DC 37 members will soon see increases in their longevity payments, assignment differentials, uniform allowances and other "additions to gross" that they receive on top of base pay.

Under the 2008-2010 economic agreement, increases in these payments were scheduled for the last day of the contract, March 2, 2010, but a dispute between the city and union held up the money.

Generally, the increases for the two years will be modest, although the amounts will vary from individual to individual. In mid-September, the union was pressing the city to make the payments promptly.

Roberts: "Every dollar matters."

"I'm very happy we have put this matter behind us," DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts said. "The economy is tough these days, so every additional dollar matters to our members."

The payments being raised include items such as uniform, license, equipment and transportation allowances; assignment and shift differentials; service and longevity increments; assignment level increases; and extra pay for experience, certification and education.

Complicated calculations

"In contrast to straight across-the-board wage increases, implementing increases in the additions to gross can be complicated, because the amounts depend on the individual's years of service and which payments they are entitled to, said District Council 37 Research and Negotiations Director Evelyn Seinfeld.

"Usually there is a meeting of the minds on this subject and members get the increase in a reasonable time," Seinfeld said. "Unfortunately, the city dug in its heels over how to calculate the amounts."

After negotiations failed to resolve the dispute, DC 37 General Counsel Mary J. O'Connell pressed for arbitration in 2010.

After two arbitration hearings this summer, the union and the city reached an agreement.

New Deputy Mayor Caswell Holloway helped move the negotiations process.

Besides Seinfeld, the union team included Associate Director David Paskin, Raymond Santander, Aliqae Geraci and other staff of the District Council 37 Research and Negotiations Dept.