Park and SUNY Cops Get Deal Like Troopers'; Anti-Terror Bonus, Enforcement Pay Worth $5G

Park and SUNY Cops Get Deal Like Troopers';
Anti-Terror Bonus, Enforcement Pay Worth $5G

An arbitration panel has awarded the union representing state Environmental Conservation Officers and Park and University Police a 6-percent retroactive raise over two years, along with benefits including a law-enforcement adjustment differential, $2,575 in anti-terror pay, and longevity bonuses.

RICHARD LESNIAK: 'Step toward comparability.' The deal is consistent with the first two years of the State Trooper accord negotiated in the most recent round of bargaining. The award marks the first time that the union, Council 82 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, moved to have its contract decided by a three-member Public Employment Relations Board panel.

Ends 4-Year Battle

The entire contract negotiation process took four years. The State Legislature granted the group of 900 officers the right to binding arbitration at the end 2003 after talks between Council 82 and the Pataki administration had begun.

The union hailed the decision, asserting that it will help bridge the salary and benefits gap between environmental and university officers and State Troopers. State Troopers still receive roughly $20,000 a year more in compensation, however. "This award begins to address the issue of comparability as far as duties and responsibilities with the State Police," said Richard Lesniak, Council 82's chief negotiator.

JAMES F. LYMAN: Arbitration paid off. Union President James F. Lyman said he was "satisfied" with the award, but added that contract talks with the state will begin immediately for a new contract. The just-issue award actually expired March 21, 2005.

'Fight Paid Off'

"This was a tough set of negotiations, and we fought for four years for this award," he remarked in a statement. "From day one, I refused to accept the state's standard four-year package - the job these men and women do and the risks they face in doing it are too important for that."

Under the unanimous three-person decision, officers will receive a 3-percent hike retroactive to April 1, 2003 and another 3-percent raise retroactive to April 1, 2004. According to Mr. Lesniak, the average officer stands to receive more than $20,000 in back pay.

The award also included various additional benefits. Retroactive to April 1, 2004, officers will receive a $2,500 Agency Law Enforcement Adjustment Differential. That bonus will be added to base pay retroactive to March 31, 2005.

For the first time, officers will receive a new expanded duty pay differential for their added anti-terrorism responsibilities since Sept. 11, 2001. That hike is identical to what the State Troopers received in 2003 and 2004. Retroactive to April 1, 2003, Council 82 officers will receive $1,545, which will count for overtime and retirement purposes. Retroactive to April 1, 2004, the benefit will be increased to $2,575.

25-Year Longevity Step

The award also included a new longevity bonus for officers with 25 years of service. In the past, longevity payments only included steps for officers who had worked for 10, 15 and 20 years.

The other increases include hikes for clothing maintenance, uniform allowance, marine/off road enforcement pay, and hazardous material pay for Environmental Conservation officers. "EnCon officers are constantly dealing with hazardous materials as part of their jobs," Mr. Lesniak said. "When there's a [crystal] meth lab, they are called in. They are experts on the chemicals and how to secure the scene."

In addition, the award included upgrades in employee death insurance and location pay for officers assigned to the city and its surrounding counties.