Probation Union Contract Closely Follows DC 37

By RICHARD STEIER

While some labor leaders responded to the July 12 District Council 37 wage contract by saying they wouldn't be bound by its terms, the head of the United Probation Officers' Association swiftly embraced them, reaching a similar agreement July 20.

DOMINIC COLUCCIO: A bouquet for Ms. Roberts.

Because the UPOA had already agreed to a 3.25-percent raise last fall that was the rough equivalent of the first-year hike under the new DC 37 pact, its deal runs only 20 months, compared to the 32-month DC 37 duration. Over that period, however, the accord would provide the same 2 percent and 4 percent raises as the DC 37 pact, in this case effective retroactive to May 13 and as of Nov. 13. The agreement would run through Dec. 14, 2007.

A Welcome Contrast

The speedy settlement was particularly notable because 27 months ago, when DC 37 reached its previous contract, one of its harshest critics was UPOA President Dominic Collucio, who scalded DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts for several aspects of the deal, including a reduction in time off for new hires. Mr. Coluccio three months later reluctantly agreed to similar terms.

"The last time I wanted to hold my nose; this time I'd like to send Lillian some flowers," Mr. Coluccio said in a phone interview the day after he reached a contract with Labor Relations Commissioner James F. Hanley. "I gotta tell you, I think it's a really good deal."

Besides the wage increases, he was particularly pleased by the creation of a Salary Review Panel - which is also a feature of the DC 37 contract - to discuss whether additional pay or other compensation is warranted for his 800 members. Mr. Coluccio believes he can make a compelling case for an upgrade because in recent years, "We have had a lot of duties and responsibilities added to our job."

'How Can You Lose?'

The panel will consist of a union representative, a city representative and a neutral member. Although he realizes that whoever serves on behalf of Mayor Bloomberg will argue that any increase in compensation should be tempered in recognition of the city's looming budget deficits, Mr. Coluccio said, "I'm quite confident that we're going to come up with a positive decision. Besides, how can you lose under this? It's like getting a raise while you're going to arbitration."

As with DC 37, the deal features a recurring $100-a-year per-member increase in the city's contribution to the UPOA welfare fund and a one-time city contribution to the fund of $166.67 per member. Unlike DC 37, whose fund's reserves had been running dangerously low, Mr. Coluccio said the UPOA fund was in good-enough shape that the infusion of money would allow it to improve benefits rather than merely maintain them.

He plans to increase the disability benefit the union offers to employees who miss extended work time - whether because of injuries or maternity leave - from $175 to $300 weekly.

Residency, Transit Gains

Several other key elements of the DC 37 deal will also apply for Probation Officers once they ratify the contract. The city has agreed to waive its residency rule in favor of a change in the Administrative Code that would allow Probation Officers to live in Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Orange and Putnam counties as well as the five boroughs. It would also expand the TransitCheck program, under which employees can save money by having transit passes paid for out of pre-tax dollars via payroll deduction, to cover the Long Island Railroad, Metro North, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Long Island Buses. Until now, only the MetroCards for city bus and subway lines were covered for DC 37 and the UPOA.

A labor-management committee has been appointed as part of the UPOA deal - as was also the case for DC 37 - to discuss possible pension changes.