Public Employee Press

Bargaining news
New pact for custodials at three CUNY student centers

Prevailing-rate workers in locals 376, 1087 and 2906 overwhelmingly ratify new pacts
Construction Laborers and Highway Repairers represented by Local 376 will get two 4 percent pay increases under their new no-giveback contracts. The Highway Repairers ratified their contract 353-3 in a mail ballot tallied by the independent American Arbitration Association, and the Construction Laborers supported theirs by 282-0.

The Construction Laborers’ increases include a June 20, 2008, retroactive raise and a second hike on June 19, 2009. The HR raises will be retroactive to May 20, 2008, and on May 19, 2009.

“The contract keeps us competitive with people on the outside,” said Local 376 President Gene DeMartino. “The 4 percent increases were exactly what we needed,” Treasurer Tommy Kattou said.

DeMartino, Kattou and the local Executive Board worked on the ratification process, which involved putting together information packets for members before they voted. Sr. Assistant Director David Paskin of the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept. provided advice and support.

Members of New York City Marine Workers Local 2906 also recently approved a pact with two 4 percent raises, as did Local 1087 members in several other prevailing-rate titles.

Local 1320 challenges Comptroller’s survey on pay hikes
Local 1320 will attend a preliminary hearing at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings on Jan. 26 as it continues its long-term battle for a new contract. The local disputes the Comptroller’s recommended pay hikes for Sewage Treatment Workers and Sr. Sewage Treatment Workers, who now have gone seven years without a contract.

If the union, city and Comptroller are unable to work out a settlement, the next step for Local 1320 will be to formally dispute the Comptroller’s finding at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.

As prevailing-rate workers, the Local 1320 members have decided to exercise their option to have their pay determined under a complicated process overseen by the Comptroller instead of accepting DC 37’s general economic agreement.

Custodial workers at CUNY student centers back 37-month contract
Custodial workers at CUNY’s three student centers recently voted overwhelmingly for a 37-month contract that calls for a total wage increase of nearly 12 percent.

Covered workers at an on-site vote in November at the Queens College Student Center voted unanimously for the agreement, which also covers workers at the Brooklyn and Baruch student centers.

Eric Latson, president of Local 1597, said he was pleased with the pay hikes in the new contract, but given the poor economy, the local felt the time wasn’t right to hold up negotiations over outstanding issues. In future negotiations, a priority will be to establish a grievance and arbitration procedure similar to that enjoyed by most ­local members under a different contract.

Sr. Assistant Director David Paskin of the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept. assisted the local in its contract talks.

The contract covers the period from Oct. 1, 2006, to Oct. 31, 2009, and includes retroactive pay increases of 3.15 percent on Oct. 1, 2006, 4 percent on Oct. 1, 2007, and 4 percent on Oct. 1, 2008. In addition, it includes a $50 annual increase in CUNY’s contribution to the welfare fund for full-time workers, which is prorated for part-timers.