Bargaining for a New Economic Agreement
DC 37 and City begin negotiations

      On October 2007, DC 37 presented a list of demands for a new economic agreement to the City of New York. Since the existing economic contract is set to expire on March 2008, the DC 37 Bargaining Committee expects to have a new agreement in place before the current agreement ends. The Bargaining Committee, composed by the Presidents of the 56 Locals at DC 37, discussed and analyzed many proposals from different Local before establishing a list of demands with new proposals as well as proposals from past negotiations.

      Local 154's contribution to the discussion included an extensive list of demands of which many made it to the final list. Also, Local 154 presented proposals for the creation of career ladders and step salary increases, which in the long run would help give a significant boost to members' salary.

      The final list of demands supported by the Bargaining Committee includes:

• A four-year agreement
• Fair and Equitable raises
• Restoring benefit modifications from the 2002-2005 agreement
• Equity money for unit bargaining
• Additional money for welfare fund contributions,
• Recurrent annuity payments
• Increased 15-years longevity
• Employer-provided transit benefit

      The Union reached out to the City during a positive economic environment. The new heights reached by the market indicated a positive outlook for the City's coffers. The Union's move was in the right direction: get the best out of a good economic moment.

      The Union and the City established an early constructive dialogue in the hopes of reaching an agreement before March 2008. At the third round of bargaining on early December 2007, the City's proposals did not match the Union's demands but it showed the City's openness to continue negotiations.

      Certainly, the dramatic downturn of the market during late December 2007 and January 2008, and the overall economic reports for productivity and unemployment for the last quarter of 2007 gave a grim outlook to the City's finances.

      We expect to continue bargaining with the City during mid-February. The Union is committed to get the best contract for our members. We will keep you informed.