Rockland County CSEA members vote YES on contract

POMONA, NY (01/28/2016)(readMedia)-- The 1,300 workers belonging to CSEA Rockland County Unit 8350, the Civil Service Employees Association, have ratified a new labor agreement with the County of Rockland by a 3 to 1 margin.

According to CSEA Labor Relations Specialist Larry Sparber, the union's chief negotiator, the new contract agreement, when ratified by management, will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2014 and run through July 31, 2016. The agreement calls for a one-time addition of four vacation days; a pensionable $750 lump sum payment in March 2016 (with a prorated payment for less than full time employees); a $.35 cent hourly increase effective Jan. 1, 2016 and an additional $.30 cent hourly increase effective July 1, 2016); and improvements to workers' vision plan. Members have not had a raise since 2010.

"A majority of members felt this contract was a good starting point that we can build on in years to come," Sparber said. "Our members have made many sacrifices in recent years to help the county through its financial crisis. There is no question that frustrations remain , but our members ultimately felt this contract was a step in the right direction."

The contract deal will now go before county legislators for approval.

CSEA is the largest union representing employees working for the County of Rockland and is New York State's leading union, representing employees of New York State and its counties, towns, villages, school districts, library systems, authorities and public corporations. Together with a growing population of private sector members, family daycare providers and 50,000 retirees, CSEA forms a union 300,000 strong. It is also the largest affiliate (and Local 1000) of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) which, in turn, is one of the largest affiliates of the AFL-CIO.