The uniformed officers responsible for public safety at the sprawling Javits Center in Manhattan overwhelmingly approved a new four-year contract last month that provides salary increases of 4, 4, 4 and 3 percent per year.

“It is gratifying, despite these trying financial times, to be able to obtain a contract that provides much deserved wage increases,” President Carl Haynes said of the agreement, which covers the period from Feb. 1, 2001, to Jan. 31, 2005. “This agreement increases the work rate for these members by more than $2 an hour.”

When compounded, the contract amounts to an increase of 15.86 percent over the four years.

Edmund Kane, director of the Housing Division and the Javits Center Division, said it covers members in the titles of public safety officers, PSO/Traffic, and control monitor technicians.

Kane estimated the retroactive pay owed public safety officers amounts to $3,570. For the two other titles, the retroactive comes to about $7,746, Kane added.

There were additional gains in the assignment differentials, night differentials, supper money and welfare benefits.

President Haynes noted that special thanks should go to the negotiation team members, Ulises Ramirez, Thomas Condon, John Lembo and Gregory O’Neal, for their participation in representing the interests of their co-workers.

“The team made sure all the bases were covered and I was very proud of their strength and determination,” he said.

Haynes’ sentiments were echoed by Judy Diftler: “I want to publicly thank our negotiating committee for the great job they did and for an excellent contract. They got us what we deserve.”

Team member Ramirez, shop steward, said he felt the new contract is a “great one — especially with the current economy.”

Lembo said, “The contract is a recognition by management of the importance of the public safety officers and security operations in general.”

Condon added, “This is the best contract I have seen in the 15 years that I’ve been at the Javits Center.”

The Local is still working with Javits management to obtain new contracts for full-time cleaners and set-up personnel, and part-time cleaners.