President Gregory Floyd addresses the press and is joined by School Safety Agent Kangela Moore, left, and Comptroller Scott Stringer.

The City of New York and Local 237 reached an historic two-part agreement on a tentative contract for Citywide Division members, which was overwhelmingly ratified on Sept. 11, and a proposed settlement of a lawsuit filed in 2010 by 5,000 school safety agents, whose ranks are 70 percent female, to raise their wages to full parity with other peace officers employed by the city, who do the same type of work and are predominantly male.

Mayor de Blasio vowed last year on the campaign trail to balance the financial needs of the city with a fair contract for city workers and to settle the equal-pay suit, which he cited as “a moral, human obligation.” The mayor has kept his word and fulfilled both promises.

“It’s a victory for all of us,” said President Gregory Floyd. “It took a lot of hard work to get here and a lot of partners, but we met our expectations and are pleased with the outcome.”

Floyd noted that “the negotiation process was conducted in an environment of respect and fairness,” where the mayor and his negotiating team “recognized the critical role of public employees in delivering vital services that affect the daily lives of every New Yorker.”

The agreement was announced by the mayor and Floyd at a press conference held on Women’s Equality Day, Aug. 26, in the courtyard of Cobble Hill School of American Studies in Brooklyn, where more than 100 school safety agents (SSA) gathered with the press.

“It’s a beautiful day for good news,” said de Blasio under a blazing summer sun, adding that he was “proud to take this step forward,” and affirming that “women’s talents are worthy of full recognition.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio poses with school safety agents.

SSA KangelaMoore said, “I’moverwhelmed by how this all progressed. This proves that inequality will not be tolerated in New York City.” Moore emphasized that the settlement would allow school safety agents “to do so much more” for themselves and their families, and thanked all those who made it happen.

Also on hand were Comptroller Scott Stringer, City Councilman Daneek Miller, and the city’s lead negotiators Bob Linn and Dean Houlihan, who to date have completed negotiating 62 percent of the 150 unsettled contracts de Blasio inherited when he took office in January 2014.

“I’m overwhelmed by how this all progressed. This proves that inequality will not be tolerated in New York City.” - SSA Kangela Moore

“I personally thank Mayor de Blasio, his negotiation teamand all those people and organizations who supported us,” said Floyd. Supporters include Lilly Ledbetter, women’s rights pioneer; Sonia Ossorio, president of the New York City Chapter of NOW; Hazel Dukes, president of theNewYork State Chapter of the NAACP; Mary Lou Urban and May Campbell, co-presidents of the League of Women Voters; Public Advocate Letitia James; City Council SpeakerMelissa Mark-Viverito, and Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo.

The conference drew extensivemedia coverage, including reports by the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Daily News, The Chief, Labor Press, NY1, WNYC Radio, and Telemundo. View the reports online at www.local237.org.

General Terms The Citywide contract matches the pattern set earlier by District Council 37 and provides 10.41 percent raises over the life of the contract, with retro pay and a $1,000 signing bonus. The city will increase its contribution to theWelfare Fund by $280 per member, and members will continue receiving quality health benefits without paying insurance premiums. The Equal-Pay Lawsuit Settlement raises the base pay of school safety agents by 33 percent to 46,737 by March of 2018.