Rockland Unions Reach Tentative Pact with County

After more than a year of negotiations, tentative agreements have been reached covering the approximately 1,500 Rockland County employees represented by the civil service and administrators’ unions.

The announcement was made Tuesday by County Executive Ed Day with the Rockland County Civil Service Employees Association and the Rockland Association of Management.

Unionized workers in Rockland County have not received a wage increase since 2010. The increases negotiated among the parties would provide the lowest-paid workers with up to a 4 percent raise for this year; salaries would rise only about 0.5 percent for the highest-paid.

But the contracts won’t last long.

These tentative agreements, if ratified, would extend through July 31, 2016, officials said.

The prior agreements expired on December 31, 2013.

Key provisions of the tentative agreement include:

• Four vacation days added to eligible employees’ vacation leave balance on March 18, 2016
• A $750 lump sum wage payment to eligible employees for 2015
• Wage increases: For 2016, an increase range of 4 percent for the lowest paid workers (current hourly rate of $13.45) to less than .5 percent for highest paid workers, effective January 1, 2016 and July 31, 2016.

For the lowest paid workers, that would mean an increase of $.35 per hour effective January 1, 2016 and an additional $.30 per hour effective July 1, 2016.

All parties said they were pleased to have reached agreements that address the taxpayer concerns and the CSEA and RAM membership’s needs, especially in these challenging economic times.

“We are fortunate to have a dedicated workforce that’s committed to providing essential services for the people of Rockland County,” Day said in a prepared statement. “ That said, it is my responsibility to negotiate on behalf of our citizens with a priority on protecting our taxpayers.”

The CSEA leadership will hold meetings with members with a ratification vote scheduled for later this month.

CSEA Labor Relations Specialist Larry Sparber stated, “At this time, we intend to schedule informational meetings with our membership to answer all questions. It’s obvious to our members that the past several years have been difficult for the public employees of the county. CSEA members have always stepped up to do the right thing for both the county and its taxpayers.”

All labor contracts are subject to Legislative ratification.

“This has been a long and difficult negotiation,” RAM President Tom Micelli said. “Our members made generous concessions to assist the county as it moves toward financial stability. The rank and file will make an important choice in the days ahead.”

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