Local 237 held a second round of contract talks with the New York City Housing Authority on April 3. NYCHA, repeating its position that it faces a severe deficit, made the following demands:

• Extend the contract;
  
• Modify longevity differential payments;
• Modify summer hours to take one hour back;
  
• Modify the step-payment plan;
  
• Create a seven-day work week.

NYCHA also turned down the union’s demand that it consider the cost savings of using the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) for disciplinary hearings. On the bright side, NYCHA said it plans to hire about 500 employees, including some non-Teamster titles.

President Gregory Floyd asked for “credit that we’re doing more or the same with less staff,” and called for “hard numbers,” to show how many new hires are replacing employees lost to attrition.

Separately, Floyd assured negotiating committee members that a seven-day work week is not open for discussion.