TOWN OF ULSTER >> Town Board members approved new contracts with two unions that will provide two percent annual wage increases and a larger employee contribution to health insurance premiums.
The collective bargaining agreements were approved during a meeting Thursday, covering the Laborer’s International Union Local 17 through 2017 and the Policemen’s Benevolent Association through 2016.
“They have an obligation to make increased contributions to their health care of $100 (per year) for old timers and for new hires they’re paying 15 percent of the health insurance premium escalated at $100 per year for the term of the contract,” town Supervisor James Quigley said.
The Laborer’s International Union Local 17 contract covers about 40 employees for the water and sewer department, highway personnel, and Town Hall employees. It is scheduled to cover a three-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2015.
The Policemen’s Benevolent Association agreement covers about 42 employees for a period date back to Jan. 1, 2011.
“The police contract was expired as of (Dec. 31, 2008),” Quigley said. “We went to negotiations unsuccessfully, we went to mediation unsuccessfully. We ended up in binding arbitration and the binding arbitration award came down in 2013 and awarded them one-and-half percent for 2009 and two percent for 2010, which we paid in 2013.”
Quigley said the contracts are welcome because it allow some labor peace for two years after both sides initially found it difficult to reach an agreement for the past three years.
“They declared an impasse,” he said. “We did go through mediation and the mediator beat the hell out of both of us.
“Then we came back to the table last week and came to a conclusion, so we are avoiding arbitration on this.”
Police Chief Anthony Cruise said the agreement is important to the department.
“It is a morale boost to the officers and it’s just nice knowing that the board is able to work so hard to be able to get things resolved,” he said.
