Cuomo, Council 82's Lyman Reach Contract Agreement

Cuomo: "This is a Fair and Reasonable Contract...."

Governor Andrew Cuomo and Council 82 Executive Director James Lyman have announced a tentative contract agreement between the State and Council 82 Supervisors Unit.

The tentative contract includes zero percent wage increases for 2011-2013 and ensures protections against layoffs, and offers health benefits commensurate with other state bargaining units. 

The contract provides for a 2% general salary increase in both 2014 and 2015, 9 days of deficit reduction leave, and adjustments to the health insurance premium. 

"Shared sacrifice is needed during these difficult fiscal times and I am pleased that by working together we have been able to reach a tentative agreement with the members of Council 82’s Supervisors Unit," Governor Cuomo said. 

"This is a fair and reasonable contract that protects the jobs of the men and women that work to protect New Yorkers. I thank Executive Director Lyman and both negotiating teams for their hard work in helping reach this tentative agreement." 

"This is a good and fair contract for all involved for the state, the taxpayers and the hardworking men and women in the bargaining unit. These individuals keep New York safe and secure and this contract reflects the respect that they have earned. We praise the efforts and commitments of the Governor and both negotiating teams in reaching a deal," stated  James Lyman, Executive Director of Council 82.

The agreement follows the pattern of contracts negotiated over the past year and includes the following:

Zero percent wage increases for 2011-2013, a 2% increase in both 2014 and 2015

3% and 4% wage increases for 2009-2011; same pattern as other units. These increases were previously reserved for in the state financial plan.

A $1,000 retention bonus paid out $775 in the third year and $225 in the fourth year. 

Deficit Reduction Leave (DRL) totaling nine days, saving $2.3 million. The total deduction for the days comes from the retro pay for 2009-11.

Employees will be repaid the value of 4 DRL days in equal installments starting at the end of the contract term. 

Retroactive payments that are scheduled to be paid in one payment this fiscal year. 

A six percent increase for health insurance premiums, making the employee share 16% for individuals and 31% for family premiums. 

A health plan opt-out so officers can opt-out through a spouse/partner to a non-State health plan. 

All changes to health benefits, including premium shifts, will save $3.5 million over the contract period and $1 million annually after 2016. 

Members will receive broad layoff protection. Workforce reductions due to management decisions to close or restructure facilities authorized by legislation, SAGE recommendations or material or unanticipated changes in the state's fiscal circumstances are not covered by this limitation.

Governor Cuomo, Council 82 Reach Historic Workforce Agreement

Wage Freezes and More Equitable Employee Health-Care Contributions Included in Contract

Governor Andrew Cuomo and Council 82, the labor union representing New York State's law enforcement officers, have reached an historic contract agreement.

The agreement includes wage freezes through the 2013-2014 fiscal year, elimination of so-called 'step increases,' more equitable employee health care contributions, and major reforms to health care benefits and overtime.

"I applaud Council 82 and its leadership for understanding the problems of the state, and realizing that through shared sacrifice, we can get New York on the road to recovery," Governor Cuomo said.

"This is a model the other unions negotiating with the state can follow. If similar contract terms were adopted by New York's other public employee unions, the state could achieve the $450 million in savings needed to avoid the 9,800 layoffs projected in the enacted budget. I also want to thank and commend our lead negotiators Todd Snyder and Joe Bress for their tireless work on behalf of the people of the state."

"This is a responsible agreement that is in the best interest of our members, the State of New York, and the taxpayers. It brings a long overdue contract to completion. It demonstrates the Cuomo Administration's commitment to working with its labor partners and its commitment to these employees and their important work.," said Jim Lyman, Executive Director of Council 82.

"Council 82 looks forward to continuing the good working relationship that we've developed with the Governor and his staff and supporting him in his efforts to restore our state government and making it work for the people again."

Highlights of the agreement include wage modifications: zero wage increases for fiscal years 2011/2012, 2012/2013, and 2013/2014, and eliminating performance advances or "step increases".

Health Insurance Premium Contribution

In order to align state employee health care costs with other states and the private sector, the agreement will increase the employee contribution for health care premiums. Individual members' share of health care expenses will increase from 10 percent to 20 percent.

Employees electing family coverage will pay 35 percent of the share of dependent health care costs, an increase from 25 percent. If adopted system-wide, these changes would save $178 million in the first year with increasing recurring savings in future years.

Health Care Benefit Redesign

The agreement also includes a redesign of the state employee health care benefits. If the reforms agreed to by Council 82 are adopted system-wide, these changes would save $196 million in the first year, including hospital coverage savings of $51 million, medical coverage savings of $58 million annually, and prescription drugs coverage savings of $87 million annually, with increasing savings in future years.

Examples include: Employees will be encouraged to use outpatient hospital services. A co-pay will be charged for in-patient services; Co-pays will be introduced for in-network emergency room visits, radiological and lab work and other hospital service; Medical visit co-pays will be increased but there will be no deductible for in-network services; Employees will be encouraged to use less expensive mail order prescription drug refills.

Reform Sick Leave Credit

Reduce amount of unused sick leave which can be credited toward reducing health care insurance premiums in retirement. System-wide savings would amount to approximately $45 million annually

Overtime Reform

Overtime compensation would be reformed to exclude sick days from accrual of time worked for purposes of qualifying for overtime compensation. System-wide this reform would save $11 million in the first year.

Retroactive Wage Settlement Identical to CSEA and PEF

Council 82 has been without a contract since 2005 and is currently in arbitration with the State. The agreement settles the arbitration by providing Council 82 members with a wage agreement identical to that received by CSEA and PEF for the same prior period. The one-time cost to the state of $48 million was reserved for this purpose in the enacted budget.

The agreement covers the Agency Law Enforcement Services unit of Council 82. The unit includes SUNY police, Park Police, and Department of Environmental Conservation Officers and Forest Rangers and covers 1160 employees.

Negotiations for the state were led by a special team appointed by the Governor comprising Todd R. Snyder, Senior Managing Director of Rothschild Inc. and Co-Head of Rothschild's Restructuring and Reorganization group; and Joseph M. Bress, former head of the Governor's Office of Employee Relations and former Vice President of Labor Relations at Amtrak, under the direction of Howard Glaser, Director of State Operations.

Image source: lenny4albany.com
Image credit: lenny4albany.com