NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The City of New Rochelle and the New Rochelle Police Association have formally approved a contract agreement that resolves a four-year labor dispute. The current contract expired on December 31, 2009
On Tuesday, the New Rochelle City Council voted unanimously, 7-0, to approve the contract at the recommendation of City Manager Charles B. Strome.
On Wednesday, the New Rochelle Police Association overwhelmingly approved the deal.
“We are happy with the contract,” said Police Association President Ray Andolina. “The results of our vote shows police officers are in favor of the agreement.”
Council Members shared Andolina’s assessment of the deal structure contained in the contract.
“It seems like a very good deal for both parties,” said Council Member Ivar Hyden.
Council Member Shari Rackman praised the negotiating teams from both sides.
“This contract is an example of true negotiations, in which both parties gave and received equitably,” said Rackman.
Andolina echoed Rackman’s sentiments.
“This was a long process going back to 2009,” said Andolina. “It was a team effort with people like my predecessor Claudio Carpano, Kevin Geertchens and others playing an important role.”
The contract is a 10-year deal running from January, 2010 until December 31, 2019.
For Rackman, the length of the contract sends an important message.
“I am very satisfied,” said Rackman. “This is a long-term contract which sends a very positive message to our men and women in uniform on how we value them.”
Council Member Al Tarantino hailed the contract as fair and equitable for all parties, meeting the needs of the City and the Police Department and providing the City Council a clear financial view over the term of the contract. He expressed relief that increases would no longer be determined by an arbitrator.
“The average increase is under 3%, which is inline with other police bargaining units in Westchester County,” said Tarantino.
Tarantino said he expects that officers who have been holding off on retirement until a contract was finalized will now do so creating promotion opportunities within the department and lowering costs with the addition of new Tier 6 employees. Tier 6 is a new level in the New York State pension plan which became effective on April 1, 2012.
“This contract may also provide a model for a deal with the Superior Officers Association and the United Fire Firefighters Union,” said Tarantino.
Under the terms of the contract, police officers will get a retroactive annual salary increase of 1.5% in 2010 and 2011 and an increase of 2% in 2012 and 2013. Going forward, salaries will increase 2% in 2014 and then by 3% for the remainder of the contract.
Detective Compensation will increase similarily.
Starting July 1, 2013, all members of the Police Association will be paid a starting salary o $45,279, a 10% decrease in what would otherwise have been the case. Salary steps will be increase from 5 to 6 for all such members.
Several other points were addressed in the contract as well.
Longevity pay for completing 5, 10 or 15 years of service will increase $75 a year and by $100 a year after 17 years. Sick Leave incentive will increase by 10%, effective in 2014 and by another 10% in 2018. Contributions to the Welfare Fund will increase by $50 a year for each member for each year. Uniform and Cleaning Allowance will increase by $35 each year for each member for each year.
Since last October, the New Rochelle Police Association has been publicly raising two issues: the lack of a contract and manpower issues.
Andolina says that while he is happy the contract is now behind the union, he expects the Police Association will tackle the manpower issue going forward.
“We’re looking to focus more on issues like staffing,” said Andolina.
Andolina said that in 2010, there were 189 police officers in the New Rochelle Police Department but today there are only 149.
“We are hoping for 10 to 15 people going into the Westchester County Police Academy Class in August,” said Andolina, noting that the department has not sent anyone to the Academy since 2010.
In an interview several months ago, Police Commissioner Patrick Carroll told Talk of the Sound he was planning to send 6 people to the Academy. Sources tell Talk of the Sound that figure may now be more like 7 to 10 people.
Readers should note that per a newly established policy, City Manager Charles B. Strome does not provide information or comments to Talk of the Sound and did not cooperate with this story.
