The New Contracts Were Negotiated By The County Executive And Were Included In The 2015 Proposed Executive Budget Which Also Calls For A Reduced Property Tax Levy of 1%
Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein announces that County government’s largest labor union, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), and the Ulster County Staff Association represented by New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), have each overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new employment contract with the County. The agreements cover the period January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2016 and affect 911 County employees, which means over 95% of the unionized County workforce will have a contract in place. The contracts, which provide for a 2% salary increase in 2015 and 2016, were included in the 2015 Executive Budget which continues to protect property taxpayers by reducing the property tax levy by 1%.
“One of the prime reasons that County government has been able to reinvent itself and dramatically improve efficiency is the efforts of our tremendous employees,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “I have a great deal of respect for our employees and their labor leaders who have worked through several major government reforms and I am pleased that the County can provide the security associated with a multi-year contract to our dedicated workers while at the same time protect our property taxpayers.”
“We stand by our brothers and sisters in the NYSUT Union when we say this new contract shows a commitment to fairness and respect, and I want to thank County Executive, Michael Hein, for acknowledging the hard work of our members and for taking action to treat us fairly,” said Michael Cimorelli, President of CSEA Unit 8950. “This contract is fair for both the employees and for County taxpayers. This shows what can be accomplished when people work together."
“I am very pleased that members of the Ulster County Staff Association, who are represented by NYSUT, will have the security of a multi-year contract,” said Wendy Ricks, President of the Ulster County Staff Association. “Additionally, as a County resident, I applaud the County Executive for not only negotiating a fair contract, but doing so in a way that protects Ulster County’s property taxpayers as well.”
The new labor agreements also continue the requirement that new employees contribute 20% towards their health insurance coverage. The salary increases included in the contracts come after agreements covering several years contained no cost of living increases for employees. The contracts now go before the Ulster County Legislature on November 18, 2014 for approval.
