A tentative contract agreement between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and one of New York's smaller state employee unions includes a three-year wage freeze and some significant health insurance savings.
The state government's larger unions, now locked in contract talks, were quick to deny the governor's deal with Law Enforcement Council 82 had any implications for them. But if Cuomo can settle on a similar contract with the state's other major unions, he'll achieve the $450 million in recurring workforce savings targeted by his new state budget -- without having to resort to a threatened 9,800 layoffs. He'll save more on top of that by canceling or suspending longevity "step increments" awarded in addition to base salary hikes.
The Council 82 deal also sets a potential pattern for a high-stakes contract negotiation later this year, between the giant state Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Local 100 of the Transport Workers Union, which represents transit employees in New York City.
More background here.
The state government's larger unions, now locked in contract talks, were quick to deny the governor's deal with Law Enforcement Council 82 had any implications for them. But if Cuomo can settle on a similar contract with the state's other major unions, he'll achieve the $450 million in recurring workforce savings targeted by his new state budget -- without having to resort to a threatened 9,800 layoffs. He'll save more on top of that by canceling or suspending longevity "step increments" awarded in addition to base salary hikes.
The Council 82 deal also sets a potential pattern for a high-stakes contract negotiation later this year, between the giant state Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Local 100 of the Transport Workers Union, which represents transit employees in New York City.
More background here.
Join the conversation