FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2016
Contact:  Scott Salotto (845) 638-5645

COUNTY EXECUTIVE DAY ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH CSEA AND RAM

NEW CITY, NY – County Executive Ed Day, along with the Rockland County Civil Service Employees Association and the Rockland Association of Management, have announced that after more than a year of negotiations, tentative agreements have been reached covering the approximately 1500 Rockland County employees represented by CSEA and RAM.

These tentative agreements, if ratified, would extend through July 31, 2016.  The prior agreements expired on December 31, 2013.  All parties were pleased to have reached agreements that address the taxpayer concerns and the CSEA and RAM membership's needs, especially in these challenging economic times.

County Executive Ed Day said, "We are fortunate to have a dedicated workforce that's committed to providing essential services for the people of Rockland County.  That said, it is my responsibility to negotiate on behalf of our citizens with a priority on protecting our taxpayers."

CSEA Labor Relations Specialist Larry Sparber stated, "At this time, we intend to schedule informational meetings with our membership to answer all questions. It's obvious to our members that the past several years have been difficult for the public employees of the county. CSEA members have always stepped up to do the right thing for both the county and its taxpayers."

RAM President Tom Micelli stated, "This has been a long and difficult negotiation. Our members made generous concessions to assist the county as it moves toward financial stability. The rank and file will make an important choice in the days ahead."

The CSEA will hold informational meetings for its members with a ratification vote scheduled for later this month.

Key provisions of the tentative agreement include:

• Four vacation days added to eligible employees' vacation leave balance on March 18, 2016
• A $750 lump sum wage payment to eligible employees for 2015
• Wage increases: For 2016, an increase range of 4% for the lowest paid workers (current hourly rate of $13.45) to less than .5% for highest paid workers, effective January 1, 2016 and July 31, 2016

Unionized workers in Rockland County have not received a wage increase since 2010.

All labor contracts are subject to Legislative ratification.