Maintenance workers in the Housing and Citywide Divisions overwhelmingly approved a new 27-month contract that provides for a 9.87 percent overall increase and significant pension and health and welfare improvements.

Ballots were mailed by the American Arbitration Services, an independent firm, and counted by their representatives Feb. 27. Of the 1,023 ballots mailed out, 972 members voted in favor of the new pact and 51 rejected it.

President Carl Haynes, who praised the members of the negotiating team for their efforts in hammering out the new agreement, noted that vital assurances of job security were continued in the new contract. “The members of our union can be proud of the professional way in which the negotiations were handled and be certain that the members’ interests were properly represented.”

The contract, which covers the period from July 1, 1999, to Sept. 30, 2001, provides for a 4 percent increase on July 1, 1999, and a 4 percent increase, compounded, as of July 1, 2000. The increases bring the hourly weekday rate to $19.67 after July 1, 1999, and to $20.46 after July 1, 2000.

The Saturday hourly rate increased to $24.58 in July, 1999, and to $25.58 in 2000. The Sunday and holiday hourly rate increased to $29.50 in 1999 and to $30.70 in 2000.

Among the benefits in the new contract is an increased annuity of approximately $1.75 a day, effective Sept. 30, 2001. This benefit, which is maximized at $456 a year, is equal to an additional 1 percent increase, said Local 237 Secretary-Treasurer Nick Mancuso, chief negotiator for the union.

The pact also calls for the elimination of employee contributions in Tiers 3 and 4 after 10 years of service, which boosts take home pay by 3 percent retroactive to Oct. 1, 2000. It also provides for up to two years extra pension credit for members in Tiers 1 and 2.

Prescription drug benefits, which have been increased to $10,000, are protected and funded, and co-pays have been reduced for injectable medications and certain psychotropic drugs.

In addition to these improved benefits, the new contract also contains a 401(K) plan, college savings program, Transit Check for all city agencies and Board of Education, and a merchant discount program.

Haynes urged the members to ratify the new contract quickly, noting that since the attack on the World Trade Center, the city is facing financial uncertainties in the coming months. “It is in our interest,” he insisted, “to conclude this contract process as soon as possible, receive our retroactive money, and prepare for bargaining a new contract as quickly as possible.”

Mancuso said retroactive pay will run from the first day of the contract to the present. It is estimated to be about $5,600 without including any overtime earned.

Ballots offering those in the title of mason helper a contract with similar terms to those of the maintenance workers were mailed out to eligible members March 15. They were to be counted April 2.