Long, hot, summer discussions came to an abrupt end last month when the Local 237 Negotiating Committee was called to union headquarters to hear the details of a contract breakthrough with the New York City Housing Authority. The offer of two 4 percent raises with retroactive pay and no givebacks was much better than expected, based on NYCHA’s dire financial condition. Most importantly, the deal was fair and contained no givebacks.

At a meeting held Aug. 7, Local 237’s negotiating committee unanimously endorsed the tentative contract, which at press time was expected to be overwhelmingly ratifiedwith a ballot count scheduled for Aug. 25.

“Our union has fought hard for this, and not just at the bargaining table,” said President Gregory Floyd, who led Local 237 negotiators to stand firm through tough bargaining sessions, refusing to accept any concessions. “Our rallies, political action and the work that members perform every day have helped to keep our city’s public housing afloat in these difficult times—and that is reflected in this contract offer.”

The Housing Division contract follows the lead set by Local 237’s Citywide Division for all New York City’s municipal workers. It covers 24 months, from December 15, 2008, through December 14, 2010, and provides two annual raises of 4 percent, which took effect as of January 11, 2009, and the second raise will come on January 11, 2010. The wage increases are substantially more than the expected rate of inflation.

For the average Local 237 Housing Division member earning $42,000 a year, this agreement will provide an additional base pay of $3,427 annually, a compounded wage increase of 8.16 percent. Over the 24-month term of the contract, this will amount to about $4,821 in cash, not including premium pay.

A $200 lump-sum payment will be made in the first year to the wel- fare funds for each active and retired Local 237 member; and an additional compensation fund of 0.10 percent of payroll will serve to purchase recurring benefits, effective January 14, 2010.