As the union prepares to open negotiations with the city and Housing Authority, the members of the Housing and Citywide negotiating committees met last month to review and vote on a proposed contract package that would bring their contracts up to date and provide an across-the-board raise of 7.1 percent with no givebacks.

THE ‘AYE’S HAVE IT – Members of the union negotiating committee giving their approval to the approach outlined for the coming talks with the city and the Housing Authority.

The 24-month contract proposal, which is similar to the one approved by city teachers late last year, would provide raises of 2 percent in the first year and 5 percent in the second year retroactive to September when the Citywide contract expired, and to December for Housing members. It also includes a $750 one-time lump-sum cash payment as a signing bonus and an increased city contribution to the union’s Welfare Fund.

“The teachers’ package is the one put together by the Municipal Bargaining Coalition, which I cochaired,” said Local 237 President Carl Haynes. “I expect Local 237’s new contract to be patterned after that contract.”

The negotiating committee of peace officers also discussed the progress of the Uniformed Status bill that would allow the union to create a separate bargaining unit for school safety agents. Haynes told members that the city administration is appealing the legislation, “Because they know they will be finally forced to pay our members the decent wage they deserve. They can fight it all they want. This is about fairness and we will not give up.”

The New York City Council passed the legislation, which was sponsored by Council Member Leroy Comrie of Queens in 2005, and voted immediately to override the mayoral veto of the law.

Haynes said the union was ready to begin bargaining separately for the members covered by that legislation, but would wait for the outcome of the court case. He added that since the legislation does not cover Local 237’s uniformed titles in Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), City University of New York (CUNY) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), the union is moving quickly to press Albany to grant similar status to those members.