Public Employee Press

Pay talks moving ahead

At second bargaining session,
city responds to union demands

By GREGORY N. HEIRES

The union pressed the city for a quick settlement in its latest bargaining session for a new economic agreement affecting nearly 100,000 members.

At the second meeting in the new round of contract talks, which was held at union headquarters Jan. 13, the city responded to the union’s demands.

The second bargaining session came shortly after the Transit Workers Union and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority agreed to a tentative contract (recently rejected) that would require workers to contribute 1.5 percent of their paycheck toward their health-care premium.

Commenting on the union’s demand to preserve DC 37’s existing health care benefits, Labor Relations Commissioner James F. Hanley said the city “would certainly have a counterproposal in this area.” Hanley described health care as a “cornerstone issue,” saying, “I think we all understand what is happening and has happened.”

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts said that if the Bloomberg administration wants to discuss changes in health insurance, the Municipal Labor Committee would be the appropriate forum. The MLC includes almost all the unions representing New York City municipal employees, about 300,000 members in all, and traditionally negotiates for health and welfare benefits on their behalf.

At the second negotiating session, Roberts underscored the union’s commitment to reach a quick settlement and Hanley agreed.

“We hope that we can wrap up these talks as soon as possible. The union side is certainly willing to roll up its sleeves to do what’s necessary to make that happen,” Roberts said.

“We believe that the city’s fiscal health and the municipal economy are strong enough for the new economic contract to compensate members for the sacrifices they made in past agreements,” she said.

Hanley’s response to Roberts
“We certainly would like to come to an agreement sooner rather than later,” said Hanley.

Hanley used the occasion to provide the city’s initial take on the union’s proposals, and the union, in turn, responded to his comments.

The Negotiating Committee — made up of the council’s top four officers and all 56 local presidents — presented the union’s 39 demands Dec. 5 at the opening session. Hanley discussed the union proposals in broad terms, but his remarks provided clear indications of the city’s priorities and hints about areas where management appears interested in finding common ground with the union.

Wage increase
Emphasizing the union’s commitment to winning a fair, reasonable and livable wage increase for the membership, DC 37 Research and Negotiations Director Dennis Sullivan said, “We think our members should do better than barely keeping their heads above water. We would ask you to be as flexible as possible considering the sacrifices of the last contract.”

That flexibility should include additional compensation that recognizes the special needs of workers in particular titles, he added.