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Public Employee Press
Zoo workers ratify pact
Local 1501 members at the Central
Park Zoo, Flushing Meadows Park Zoo and Prospect Park Zoo voted unanimously
Oct. 2 to approve a new working conditions contract.
The new pact covers more than 100 employees. It is retroactive to Jan.
1 and lasts until Dec. 31, 2005.
We are very happy to win some important improvements during a year
in which we faced the threat of closings, layoffs and severe budget cuts,
said Anthony Bigone, president of Local 1501.
Under key provisions of the new pact:
- Employees can carry over up to
60 annual leave days and 60 earned days (credited holidays) each year.
- Employees will no longer have
to use earned or vacation time before Workers Comp coverage kicks in.
- New employees will be entitled
to welfare benefits after 90 days rather than after their six-month
probationary period.
- Members who pick up and deliver
at the Bronx Zoo will get a pay differential.
In negotiations, the Wildlife Conservation
Society sought to roll back maternity leave from three years to 12 months.
In the end, the negotiators agreed that the three-year maximum would continue
and that workers on maternity leave would notify the employer of their
intended return date after being out for one year.
The Local 1501 bargaining committee included Mr. Bigone, Vice President
Bob Terracuso, Treasurer Marty Zyburu, Secretary Wendy Canino, and Shop
Stewards Eddie Wright (Central Park), Wayne Peters (Prospect Park), and
Ira Goldman and Marcie Farley (Flushing Meadows).
Assistant Director Frank Burns of the DC 37 Research and Negotiations
Department, Assistant Director Michael Riggio of the DC 37 White Collar
Division and DC 37 Rep Madonna Knight provided key technical advice.
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