Local 374 and Local 1930 recently
concluded negotiations on new unit contracts, which cover working
conditions at the New York Public Library and pave the way for payment
of the two percent increase due July 1 under the DC 37 economic agreement.
Quasi-Public Employees Local 374 and New York Public Library Guild
Local 1930 wrapped up the talks in June, and members overwhelmingly
ratified the pacts at meetings held July 15.
These negotiations were done in just three days, which is a
lot faster than usual, yet we won some significant improvements,
Local 374 President Cuthbert (Maurice) Dickenson said. We resolved
some important concerns of our members, and we were happy to accomplish
this quickly, Local 1930 President Ray Markey said. Both working
conditions contracts call for members to receive a bonus day on Dec.
24 this year.
Provisions on closing buildings due to low temperatures will now go
into effect at 67 rather than 68 degrees. One of the highlights of
the Local 374 agreement is that the NYPL agreed to promote 10 Junior
Library Custodians to Assistant Library Custodian.
The Local 1930 contract calls for the promotion of 12 members from
the Office Associate 1 title to Office Associate 2. Local 374 represents
blue-collar workers at the NYPL. Local 1930 represents librarians,
clerical workers and a number of other white collar and professional
titles.
The Local 374 bargaining committee included Mr. Dickenson, NYPL Chapter
Chair Joseph Reece, Custodians Shop Steward Louis Deary, Motor Vehicle
Operators Shop Steward Jeffery Hylton, Rep Keith Clarke, Assistant
General Counsel Leonard Polletta of the DC 37 Legal Dept. and Assistant
Director Michelle H. Green of the Research and Negotiations Dept.
The Local 1930 committee included Mr. Markey and Ms. Green, as well
as Vice President Lynn Taylor, Treasurer Carol Thomas and Executive
Board members Hank Sambach, Diane Serrano, Lee Robinson and Anthony
Wyche.