Public Employee Press

CUNY contract will raise pay for 11,000 members

The union concluded talks with the City University of New York Feb. 14 on a proposed four-year economic pact that will give 11,000 members an $800 signing bonus and pay raises totaling 8.5 percent.

“These have been tough negotiations, but we won a good contract which should meet members’ needs,” said College Assistants Local 2054 President Joan Reed.

The pact covers the blue collar and white collar units from Oct. 1, 2002, to Sept. 30, 2006. In addition to the $800, the proposal calls for a 2.5 percent pay hike retroactive to Oct. 1, 2003, 2.75 percent retroactive to Oct. 1, 2004, 2 percent on Oct. 1, 2005 and 1 percent Sept. 30, 2006.

The union agreed to generate productivity savings worth 1 percent in 2005. Details will be worked out by CUNY and the union.

The pact combined features of contract patterns that applied to both city and state workers, said Esther “Sandy” Tucker, president of CUNY and Educational Opportunity Centers Local 384. As the talks gained momentum, the sides focused on wages and withdrew divisive items.

Tucker, Reed, and the presidents of other locals with members at CUNY served on the negotiating team: Claude Fort, Local 375; Edna Williams, Local 1597; Maf Misbah Uddin, Local 1407; and Edward Hysyk, Local 2627. Director Dennis Sullivan, and Assistant Director David Paskin of the Negotiations Dept. led the negotiations.

The pact includes two $100 increases in CUNY’s contribution to the welfare fund, a new VDT benefit and three free credits of graduate study per semester.

The union agreed to minor modifications sought by management on child care and disciplinary matters. The American Arbitration Association will oversee a mail-ballot vote on the proposal, which the union will hold as soon as possible.