CSEA, OCA reach contract agreement “Challenging” negotiations yield positive results for labor and management Following a long and challenging set of negotiations, CSEA and the New York State Office of Court Administration have reached agreement on a contract for 5,700 employees of the Unified Court System. “This was a very difficult negotiation that demonstrates a fair agreement can be reached when both labor and management work in good faith,” said CSEA President Danny Donohue. “The result addresses management’s need for long-term reform of the compensation structure while maintaining the rights and benefits of the CSEA members who work hard every day.” “I am very proud of the CSEA negotiating team for their focus and determination to get the job done responsibly,” Donohue said. Changes in health insurance were already made in 2011. The agreement also establishes a contingency for the possibility of up to a two-day payroll lag in both the 2015-16 and 2016-17 fiscal years to avoid layoffs in the event that the UCS budget is not approved by the state legislature and the governor as submitted. “The Unified Court System is pleased that it has reached this agreement with CSEA, which will provide salary increases over the next three years for approximately 40 percent of the court system’s work force. We believe the agreement balances the state’s ongoing fiscal constraints with the desire to provide increased compensation and benefits for the court system’s hardworking employees. Moreover, it addresses a number of CSEA’s longstanding concerns, including the return to work process, seniority and expediting the disciplinary process for alleged time and leave violations. We look forward to ratification and implementation of this agreement,” said Chief Administrative Judge A. Gail Prudenti. If approved by CSEA membership, the agreement must also be acted on by the state legislature. CSEA members, who work in the Unified Court System statewide, perform a wide range of duties from clerk and administrative work to court officers and reporters. Remember to vote. Here’s the... CONTRACT RATIFICATION SCHEDULE May 12 Contract ballots will be mailed. The package will include a letter from President Donohue, a ballot, a fact sheet and instructions. May 19-23 Replacement ballots will be available. Call the Contract Administration Dept. (800-342-4146 ext. 1279 or 518-257-1279) June 9 Deadline to return ballots (5 p.m.) June 11 Ballots will be counted; results announced. Office of Court Administration Tentative Agreement special edition “These negotiations have been difficult, tedious and challenging for over three years. The team’s polar star was always the best interests of the judiciary membership, and I believe that we stood united to obtain the fairest and best contract in a most unpleasant fiscal climate.” — Vincent Martusciello, New York City Local president “I hope the members realize how tough it is has been to negotiate a contract in this economic climate. I feel this contract shows the true meaning of compromise — the court system needed certain things to happen and we needed certain things to happen. I think it’s important to note that we looked at the different items based on a total agreement — you have to take the good with the bad.” — Nicole Ventresca-Cohen, Capital Region Judiciary Local president The six-year agreement runs from April 1, 2011, through March 31, 2017 with the following highlights: • Two (2) percent across-the-board salary increase in October 2014; • Two (2) percent across-the-board salary increase in April 2015; • Two (2) percent across-the-board salary increase in April 2016; • $750 Bonus (pensionable) payable March 31, 2017; • Transition from a two- to a three- tier longevity system beginning in April 2016 with changes in the payment amounts and other reforms; • Maintaining benefits provided through the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund; • A variety of changes in work rules and other contract provisions.
UCS FINAL
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