Public Employee Press

Bargaining roundup
EMS deadlock, TA pact, 0.34% raise, more

Units plan for contract’s extra funds
The union’s bargaining units are making proposals for using the additional compensation fund that is effective March 2, the last day of the current economic contract.

The 2005-08 pact includes a fund worth 0.34 percent of payroll that bargaining units may use for such items as across-the-board raises, longevities, recurring annuities, uniform allowances and assignment differentials.

The union’s bargaining units are choosing among those options and have asked the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept. to evaluate their cost. Most units are opting for across-the-board raises.

State rent workers ratify contract
Members of Rent Regulation Services Employees Local 1359 unanimously ratified a new four-year agreement with New York State at their monthly meeting on Jan. 8.

Amongst other benefits, the contract calls for a 3 percent wage increase retroactive to April 2, 2007, a 3 percent increase in April 2008, a 3 percent increase in April 2009 and a 4 percent increase in April 2010.

It also increases the downstate adjustment, which will jump from $1,302 to $1,850 on April 1, 2008, and then to $3,026 on Oct. 1, 2008.

EMS locals file for impasse
The two locals representing Emergency Medical Services workers have reached a stalemate in talks on a new contract.

In December, DC 37 asked for the appointment of an impasse panel in the contract negotiations of Uniformed Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics Local 2507 and Uniformed EMS Officers Local 3621. The locals’ contract expired in 2006.

The independent Office of Collective Bargaining is handling the matter and will determine whether a mediator should be appointed. If the talks remain deadlocked, the contract dispute will go to arbitration.

Union settles conditions pact at TA
A new working conditions contract for 2,200 employees at the city Transit Authority establishes a pilot program for a sick leave bank, expands bereavement leave, provides protections against contracting out and boosts the meal allowance.

District Council 37 wrapped up the negotiations in November.

The contract runs from July 1, 2005, to Dec. 31, 2008, and covers locals at the Transit Authority and the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority.

The DC 37 locals affected are TA Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1655, Technical GuildLocal 375, Amalgamated Professional Employees Local 154, Accountants, Statisticians and Actuaries Local 1407, Electronic Data Processing Personnel Local 2627 and Motor Vehicle Operators Local 983.

The agreement raises the cap on overtime, increases the meal allowance from $7 to $8.25, sets up a labor-management salary review committee, expands bereavement leave to cover grandparents, and provides for more safety equipment.

A new labor-management committee will bring the union up to date on contracting-out proposals, allowing locals to make counterproposals.
The pilot program for the Dedicated Paid Leave Fund will allow employees to donate unused sick days to help coworkers injured outside of work or with long-term illnesses who have exhausted their sick leave.