Public Employee Press


NY Law School, Sodexo workers
Local 154 wins contracts for two private sector units

Two private-sector units represented by Local 154 have recently approved three-year contracts.

The agreement for 14 Local 154 members at New York Law School calls for three annual pay increases totaling 7.16 percent for the duration of the contract, which lasts from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2018.

The agreement also calls for a $1,000 cash bonus upon ratification. Members unanimously approved the contract in December.

The contract increases workers' premium contributions for health insurance by 5 percent, beginning this year. The dental and vision premiums remain the same.

If the rate increases during the contract, the increase for workers will be capped at 10 percent.

The linen distribution workers employed by Sodexo Healthcare Services Ltd. at the city's public hospitals system will receive a 9.83 percent compounded wage increase over the duration of the contract, which lasts from Dec. 19, 2015, to Dec. 18, 2018.

About 80 Sedexo employees represented by DC 37 work at NYC Health + Hospitals facilities.

Members overwhelmingly approved the contract in a secret ballot vote. The contract includes a ratification bonus of $100 for full-time workers and $50 for part-time workers.

The contract entitles part-time workers to 40 hours of sick leave every year. Sodexo will reimburse employees if their annual physical requires a co-pay. Sodexo agreed to reduce the waiting period to be eligible for sick leave from six months to four months for full-time employees.

The agreement also provides workers with a $325 annual longevity after they reach their fifth year on the job. It boosts holiday pay to time-and-a-half and calls for an extra day off for working on a holiday. Also, Sodexo will now provide workers with uniforms.

"We negotiated for the agenda of our members," Local 154 President Juan Fernandez said. "I think the strong votes in favor of the contracts show that they were generally pleased with the outcome of our negotiations."

The union negotiating committee at Sodexo included Fernandez, Assistant Director Mark Heron of the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept., Chapter Chair Darryl Woods, Rep Marianela Santana and union attorneys Jesse Gribben and Deena Mikhail.

The team at New York Law School included Fernandez, Santana, Assistant Director Michele Trester of the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept., Local 154 Vice President Egbert Isaacs and Chapter Chair Cheryl Shields.

— Gregory N. Heires