District Council 37, members ratify contract by an overwhelming 98%

• DC 37 Economic Agreement: Terms of Proposed Contract Agreement (PDF*)

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts announced today that members of District Council 37, the city's largest public employee union, have voted overwhelmingly by 98% to ratify the 24-month wage pact recently negotiated between the union and the City of New York. The contract covers the period from March 3, 2008 through March 2, 2010.

"We listened to our members' needs and clearly their overwhelming vote in support of this contract indicates that we met them," said Ms. Roberts. "I am very gratified that the members of DC 37 recognized the value of this contract by overwhelmingly voting 'yes'. The hard-working, dedicated public employees who preserve the quality of life that makes New York great deserve a contract that gives them a decent increase and protects their health coverage and pension plans, especially in these difficult economic times. This contract does that and more."

A total of 103,506 ballots were mailed out and over 50% were returned. The outcome was 50,886 for and 872 against with an overwhelming 98% voting in favor of ratification.

The tentative contract agreement was reached on October 30, 2008. The ratification vote was conducted in accordance with the DC 37 Constitution, which mandates that all union-wide contract votes be conducted by an independent monitor. The American Arbitration Association (AAA) mailed ballots out to the members on November 13, 2008. Ballots had to be received at the AAA by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, December 8, 2008.

Among the highlights of the 24-month-contract are:

• 4 % increase on base salary on March 3, 2008
• 4 % compounded increase on March 3, 2009
• On the last day of the contract the general wage increases will be applied to such items as assignment differentials, uniform allowances, longevity and service increments for an overall value of 8.26%.
• All other terms of the previous contract agreement continue.

"The union is now pressing the City to make payment as soon as possible," Roberts said.

District Council 37 represents 125,000 members in 1,000 job titles from 56 local unions.

*Download Acrobat Reader to view and print PDF files.