Sanit Supt. Deal Worth 17% But Adds Pay Scale

By RICHARD STEIER

The union representing second- and third-level Sanitation Department Superintendents has reached contract terms with the city that provide 17 percent in raises over 54 months but create a three-year pay progression before new Level 2 Superintendents reach maximum salary.

RUSS TAORMINA: Wraps up 'difficult' deal.

The deal is consistent in its cost to the Bloomberg administration with other uniformed union settlements reached over the past nine months. Running from April 10, 2003 through Oct. 9, 2007, it provides raises of 5 percent on both its starting date and retroactive to April 10, 2004, a 3-percent hike effective last Oct. 10, and one of 3.15 percent this Oct. 10.

New Rates, Pay Scale

The old basic pay rates had been $99,531 for Level 2 Sanitation Superintendents and $111,595 for those at Level 3. By Oct. 10, incumbents in those titles will have advanced to $116,585 and $130,717, respectively.

Those promoted after June 30 of this year to Level 2 will be subject to the new pay scale, however. Where those at Level 2 prior to that date would advance from the old pay rate to $113,025 once the deal is ratified, the new promotees would start at $101,455. They would progress in two increments to $104,236 before making a large jump to the maximum salary after three years in the rank.

There will be no pay scale for Level 3 Superintendents, meaning those attaining that rank would immediately get the maximum salary for the title.

All of the 67 union members covered by the deal - 47 Level 2 Superintendents and 20 at Level 3 - have to give up two vacation days a year, and will now be entitled to 25 annually, as part of the agreement.

"We're satisfied with the deal," Sanitation Chiefs' Association President Russ Taormina said during a July 21 phone interview. "It was a very difficult negotiation, but we're pleased we could control our own destiny."

While the Uniformed Sanitationmen's Association, which represents most of the department's work force, reached a contract providing the same raises last fall, the union representing mid-level supervisors, the Sanitation Officers' Association, is still negotiating with the Bloomberg administration.