FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 24, 2021

Outstanding Union Contacts Settled

Employees Recognized for Work During Pandemic

New City, NY – County Executive Ed Day and County Legislature Chairman Alden Wolfe announced the settlement of five union contracts covering 1,600 county employees. These contracts have been ratified by each union’s membership, signed by the unions, voted on and approved by the County Legislature and have been signed by the County Executive.

Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)

• $2,500 one-time discretionary bonus for efforts provided during and after the COVID pandemic
• Contract covering 2022-2026
• Approximately 1,200 employees
• Percent increases for existing employees (3%, 3%, 3%, 2.5%, 2.25%)
• Juneteenth as a paid holiday
• New hire insurance changes from 15% contribution to 17.5%
• Operational changes to longevity vacation, holiday payout caps, additional drug testing

Rockland Association of Management (RAM)

• $2,500 one-time discretionary bonus for efforts provided during and after the COVID pandemic
• Contract covering 2022-2026
• Approximately 200 employees
• Percent increases for existing employees (3%, 3%, 3%, 2.5%, 2.25%)
• Juneteenth as a paid holiday
• Salary table changes
• New hire insurance changes from 15% contribution to 17.5%
• Operational changes to longevity vacation, holiday payout caps and additional drug testing

United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU)

• $2,500 one-time discretionary bonus for efforts provided during and after the COVID pandemic
• Contract covering 2022-2026
• Approximately 70 employees
• Percent increases for existing employees (3%, 3%, 3%, 2.5%, 2.25%)
• Juneteenth as a paid holiday
• New hire insurance changes from 15% contribution to 17.5%
• Operational changes to longevity vacation, holiday payout caps, additional drug testing

Doctors Council

• $2,500 one-time discretionary bonus for efforts provided during and after the COVID pandemic
• Contract covering 2022-2026
• Approximately 10 employees
• Percent increases for existing employees (3%, 3%, 3%, 2.5%, 2.25%)
• Juneteenth as a paid holiday
• New hire insurance changes from 15% contribution to 17.5%
• Operational changes to longevity vacation, holiday payout caps, additional

Correction Officers Benevolent Association of Rockland County (COBARC)

• $2,500 one-time discretionary bonus for efforts provided during and after the COVID pandemic
• Contract covering 2021-2025
• Approximately 130 employees
• Percent increases for existing employees (2%, 3%, 3%, 3%, 2.5%)
• Juneteenth as a paid holiday
• Body Camera Policy
• Home visit language
• Operational changes including additional drug testing

County Executive Ed Day said, “I want to thank the Commissioner of Personnel Lori Gruebel, the Personnel bargaining team, Karlee Bolanos, Esq. from Bolanos Lowe and the union leadership for leading the way at the negotiating table to execute fair and equitable contracts. I know how hard all of these parties worked to ensure these were signed prior to the end of 2021. The main goals of these contracts were to ensure County employees were recognized for their herculean efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to create fiscally and operationally responsible contracts for the future. Kudos to all involved and thank you once again to our employees for all that you do to serve our residents day after day.”

County Legislature Chairman Alden H. Wolfe said, “County government employees deserve to be recognized for their ongoing and vital contributions. No one could have foreseen the incredible challenges posed by the pandemic, but County government workers stepped up time and time again to make sure the job got done. These fair and fiscally responsible contract settlements are an acknowledgement of our workers’ valuable contributions, and on behalf of the entire Legislature, I extend our sincerest gratitude for all they have done and continue to do. I also want to thank the negotiating team, including the County Executive’s Office, the Personnel Department, the Union representatives and everyone else involved for their diligent work.” 

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