Contract Agreement at New York Law School

      On November 10, the members of Local 154, DC 37 at New York Law School unanimously ratified the Economic Proposals presented by the Negotiations Committee. The new agreement will cover a 4-year period retroactive to July 2008 and ending on June 30, 2012. The terms of the agreement include:

1. There shall be a 48-month agreement.
2. There shall be across-the-board wage increases in each year of the contract, as follows, for incumbent employees on payroll on or before June 30, 2008:
1. As of July 1, 2008: 3.5%
2. As of July 1, 2009: 3%, compounded
3. As of July 1, 2010: 3%, compounded
4. As of July 1, 2011: 3%, compounded
3. The guaranteed minimum wages shall be adjusted as follows:
   
   

   	Current	July 1, 2008	July 1, 2009	July 1, 2010	July 1, 2011
   5 years	$36,104	$38,000	$38,000	$39,000	$39,000
   10 years	$37,938	$40,000	$40,000	$41,000	$41,000
   15 years	$40,841 (at 13 years)	$45,000	$45,000	$46,000	$46,000
   20 years	None	$47,000	$47,000	$48,000	$48,000

   
   
4. The union shall receive notification of all status changes in personnel within the bargaining unit, including such changes as hiring, dismissals and promotions.
5. Spouses and domestic partners shall be eligible for the Tuition Reimbursement benefit.
6. Siblings-in-law shall be added to the list of "immediate family members" for bereavement leave.
7. A medical coverage plan for retirees shall be established for employees on board as of July 1, 2007.

      The New York Law School members unanimously ratified the Contract Proposals by secret ballot at the at the Chapter meeting on November 10. The Negotiations Committee was composed by Local 154 officers and members of the Chapter assisted by DC 37 representatives. The original demands presented by the Committee to New York Law School were developed after extensive meetings with the members at the Law School and after several sessions of preparation by the Committee members themselves.

      Local 154, DC 37 at NYLS represents workers in the titles of Administrative Assistant, Clerical Aide, Library Information Specialist, Technical Support Assistant and Purchasing Assistant. The NYLS is the newest of the Local 154 Chapters; it was created in 1994 after an intense Union organizing drive initiated by the members. They felt that having a Union at the Law School would help make a difference in their working and economic conditions.

      The new increases and retroactive wages are scheduled to be paid on December 11, 2008.