SEIU Local 200U

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Contract Campaigns

North Syracuse Schools

Food service workers at North Syracuse Schools just nailed down a new contract which includes 4% annual wage increases, call-in-pay provisions, and an increase in sick-day payout. In addition, cooks’ salaries were boosted across the board to reflect industry standard. Sandra Cavallo, Barbara Cady, Mary McLeod, Robin Gushlaw, and Christine Stuper bargained for the union.

Brewster Central Schools

On June 17 Local 200United members at Brewster Central School District accepted a new three-year agreement. Among other numerous gains, the new contract includes annual wage increases of 4, 3.5, and 3% with no increase in employee health insurance contributions. In addition to the general salary increases, members received step increases ranging from an additional 1 to 4%. Chapter Chair Edward Mullen, Pat Sotira, Jackie Preininger, Frank Meyer, Angela Marvin, Kathy Morelli, Carol Forschner, Mary Butler, Anthony Chiesa, Nick Savona, Nancy Angley, Patti Feeney, Jodi Burns, and Mary Brennan brought this agreement home.

Bard College

Building service workers employed by Aramark/ServiceMaster at Bard also overwhelmingly ratified a new three year agreement that calls for wage increases, holding the line on health care premiums, and many other enhancements. All members will receive an across the board 50¢ per hour increase with additional 4% increases in the second and third year of the agreement. Also, employees with 11 or more years of service will receive a longevity increase of 30¢ per hour. Thanks go out to negotiators Joan Wyant, Barbara Borneman, Annette Coon, Sue LaPierre, and Tom Harvey.

Guilfoyle Ambulance

EMS workers at Guilfoyle Ambulance in Watertown recently won solid wage increases and 40¢ per hour per four-years of service longevity pay. Guilfoyle will also boost their contribution to members’ 401(k) plan. “Probably our biggest gain was in paid time off,” said Unit Chairman Tony Kohler. Effective July 1, all full-time employees earn one sick day per month and they can be carried over to a maximum of 200 days. The agreement also allows part-time workers to earn sick days for the first time. “EMS work is very demanding,” said Kohler, “and we need that safety net.” In the event of retirement or resignation, members can cash-out unused sick and personal time up to the 200 day maximum. The Union also won solid protection against subcontracting.

Central Square School

Members in our seven bargaining units at the Central Square School District won new three-year agreements effective July 1. All seven units received 3.5% wage increases in each year of their contracts.

New York State Fair

Ushers and Ticket Takers at the New York State Fair ratified a new contract on June 26. This time our CNY Sports Division has inked a three year agreement with the Fair. Annual wage increases are 2.5%, 2.75%, and 3% respectively. This agreement also places our ushers and ticket takers in the top 15% nationally for rates of pay. Chapter Chair Mike Kingdeski, Vice Chair Danny Nett, Sam Rozzano, and Ron Daloia were at the table for the Local.

Capital District Building Service

Global Management Solutions broke into the Capital District Building Service market last Spring by getting a contract at Clifton Country Mall and at Colonie Center. Both were union sites for Executive Cleaning and Janitronics under the Capital District Master Janitorial Agreement. Local 200United negotiated identical site agreements that now constitute a mall contract which can be used as a template for further organizing. About 10 members were affected at Clifton Country Mall and about 20 members at Colonie Center. This contract is consistent with the Master Agreement. In addition, workers now get time and one-half after eight hours and all sick days are now converted to personal leave.

West Genesee Central Schools

All six bargaining units at West Genesee Central Schools recently signed new three-year pacts featuring improvements including 4% annual wage increases across the board. Thanks go out to the bargaining teams: Michelle Rether, Jeri Burke, and Red Flaherty for the Bus Drivers; John Lizzi and Linda Patterson for the Custodians; Christine Hamilton, Jill Dollison, Debbie Bille, and Robin Miledonis for Food Service; Bob Michaels for Head Custodians; Jamie Moyer for Maintenance; Rick Camden and Shawn Gilday for the Mechanics.

Kendall Central Schools

Effective July 1, Bus Drivers at Kendall Central Schools have a new three year contract. Provisions include an increase in the number of paid days off, show-up time for cancelled runs, and an increase in wait-time pay. Wage increases are 3.5% for each year of the agreement in addition to a 3.5% longevity bonus. In a hard fought battle, management finally agreed to recognize Local 200United’s role as bargaining representative. Years ago the Kendall Bus Drivers Union had been an independent association, and the district was reluctant to give us a place on the signature page. Thanks to Peg Ellis, Pat Corcoran, Teresa Donahue and Cindy Tinkous for bargaining this pact.

George Junior Republic

On April 14, members at George Junior Republic in Freeville ratified a new one year agreement. These HSA workers won a 40¢ across the board wage increase and a lump sum payment of $200. Members were also brought into the SEBF health insurance plan. Improved holiday pay, tuition reimbursment, and premium pay for Support Staff round out the package. Bob Lucas, Joey Livermore, Loren Aiken, Gerry Clark, Bryan Jasper, Adam Levine, Terry Riese, and Mike Sears were at the table for Local 200United.

A & E Minetto

As of March 1, members at A & E/Minetto are working under a new three year agreement. They won 70¢ and 50¢ annual hourly increases for drivers and monitors respectively. Also added were three additional holidays, an extra bereavement day, and two more snow days. From now on non-revenue runs will be paid at drivers’ regular rates. The bargaining committee included Michael Giocondo, Ella Furman, Louise Neupert, and John Barlow.

Ahtna Technical Services

Service and Maintenance workers at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility signed a new pact with Ahtna Technical Services on February 27. The agreement calls for a 4% wage increase in 2004 with 3% raises in the remaining two years. Michael Leyendecker and Donald Worthington conducted the bargaining for the Local.

Village of Sherburne

On February 19, Village workers in Sherburne ratified a new four year agreement which includes average annual wage increases of 4.5, 4.5, 4.3, and 4.2%. In addition, members won two additional holidays as well as increases in bankable sick leave, meal allowances and uniform allotments. Thanks to Allan Doing and Philip Hull for going to the table on behalf of Local 200United.

Vestal Cemetary

Vestal Cemetery workers inked a new agreement in January. In addition to winning one new holiday and an increase in pension contribution, junior workers will receive a 12.5% increase over the life of the contract and senior members will receive 19%.

Pierce Hall at the Children’s Place Daycare Center

headstart After many difficult months at the Children’s Place at the Plaza daycare center, the facility merged with the Pierce Hall Daycare Center and was renamed Pierce Hall at the Children’s Place Daycare Center. Benefits and many other contractual provisions, which were trimmed last year in order to keep the Center going, are being restored. The Center is a State supported daycare and is located at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. Unit Chairperson Rita Watt has steadfastly represented and worked for the membership during this difficult time.

Town of Marshall

The Town of Marshall DPW workers recently ratified a new three year contract. In the first year of the agreement, wages are raised from 4.5 to 32% as the Town agreed to establish a new job rate. After the first year, rates will go up 3% each year. In another big move, the Town has finally agreed to participate in the New York State Public Employees Retirement System (NYSPERS). This has been a big issue for years, as Marshall was one of only 10 or so municipalities in the state that was not paying into the fund. With this change, two long term members will be able to receive credit for their prior years of service. Other improvements include: the first time right to accumulate up to 90 sick days, doubling of the night shift differential, minimum staffing on the evening shift, and increased vacation. Congratulations go out to the members who helped bring this contract home: Gary Buell, Jim Knutti, Ed Bishop and Mike Zygmunt.

Union Springs

Local 200United members at Union Springs Schools nailed down a new agreement on November 20. Members received a 4% wage increase in the first year of the contract, retroactive to July 1, 2003. Annual increases in the second and third years are 3% and 3.5% respectively. Thanks to Cindy Scoville, Donna Babbitt, Barbara Thorson, and Gretchen Weir for their leadership at the bargaining table.

Village of Springville

After eight months without a contract, members at the Springville DPW ratified a new five year agreement on January 6. The new pact includes 2.5% raises in each of the five years. The bargaining committee also preserved their full medical coverage with no deductible and no member contribution. Thanks to Richard Zifra, Greg Blakely, Tim Domes, and Daniel Dallas for their hard work at the table.

Asset Protection Services

SEIU Security Services Logo On January 22 members at Asset Protection and Security Service / Buffalo Federal Detention Center won an historic four year pact. A substantial wage increase in the first year brings them up near industry standard. That is followed by 3% raises in each of the next three years. In addition, the members won a solid longevity system based on three-year increments, and annual increases to the employer’s fringe benefit contribution. The bargaining team included Marc Balcerzak, Vincent Schultz, Eric Daugherty, Michael Schreiner, Leonard Iannello, David Culver, Bradley Miller, Kevin Jopp, and Christopher Judge.

Batavia Bus

Drivers at Batavia Bus Service voted in a new three year pact on November 24 of last year. In addition to 2.5% wage increases in each year of the agreement, numerous improvements were won in fringe benefits. The company will now pay 100% of our members’ Blue Choice Value medical coverage. They will also pick up a percentage of potential increases in life and dental coverage. Our man at the bargaining table was Unit Chairman Joe Grasso Jr.

Waterville Schools

Local 200United members at the Waterville School District recently won a five year agreement including $1.65 per hour wage increase over the life of the contract. The bargaining team, which included Les Hoke and Bob Wright, also pledged not to leave the table without an improvement to the health care cost sharing arrangement. Congratulations to all for holding the line and winning a more equitable deal.

Unity House

Congratulations to job-coaches and counselors at Unity House, a Human Service Agency with facilities in seven counties. These members won a 2.5% pay increase in recent wage re-opener bargaining. The increase is retroactive to January 1, 2003. Tim Laird and Helen Stearns bargained for the Local.

Birnie Bus

Drivers, Monitors, and Mechanics at Birnie Bus Service in Syracuse won an average increase of $1.60 per hour over the life of their new contract effective September 1. Thanks to unit leaders Larry Pollina and Rudolph Hauff.

Outlasting the Boss at Jordan-Elbridge Schools

On June 25 members of the bargaining unit at Jordan-Elbridge Schools ended a year working without a contract by voting in a new agreement by a large margin. The new pact calls for a 3% retroactive wage increase as well as 3% in year two and $.34 per hour in year three. Many thanks to Michele Santa-Barbara, Doris Simone, Mark Casler, Sue Field, Jean Spencer, Sue Grobsmith, Deana Geaslen, Gary Bard, Norma Danenhauer, Tom Leonti, and Cindy O’Hara for shepherding the process through to a successful conclusion.

TST BOCES

On June 24 instructors at Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES unanimously adopted a new agreement featuring $1 per hour wage increases in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Margo Brinn and Don Karr helped bring this contract home.