Key Benefit Gains
Wardens Lock Up New Wage Terms

By RICHARD STEIER

Members of the Assistant Deputy Wardens/Deputy Wardens Association have overwhelmingly ratified a new 52-month contract reached in late November by a 111-6 tally.

SID SCHWARTZBAUM: A popular deal.

The deal, which was reached three months prior to their old pact expiring, will take effect March 1 and provide four 4-percent raises, a boost in longevity increments of up to $1,605, and a one-time $5,000 city contribution to individuals' annuity funds. It also restores a three-year progression to maximum salary for Assistant Deputy Wardens and Deputy Wardens, a year shorter than was required as part of the current contract.

Making 'Unborn' Whole

That restoration - which will affect all those promoted into those ranks since July 1, 2006 - was cited by union President Sidney Schwartzbaum as just as essential a component of the pact as the benefit improvements which affect his entire 150-person membership.

"A 95-percent approval rating speaks for itself," he said.

After the first raise, the other pay hikes will take effect March 1, 2009, July 1, 2010 and July 1, 2011, with the pact expiring on June 30, 2012. Once longevity pay and other bonuses are included, the hikes will bring maximum compensation to about $125,000 for Assistant Deputy Wardens and $154,000 for Deputy Wardens before the deal expires. The base salaries for senior employees in those titles by the end of the pact will jump to $109,002 and $142,097, respectively.

Welfare Fund Boosts

The city will also increase welfare fund contributions by $200 a year for retirees as of April 1 next year and $75 annually for active members effective Aug. 1, 2011.

Mr. Schwartzbaum was also able to undo some other concessions he had to accept in the soon-to-expire contract to win the same wage terms that were provided to the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association under a 2005 arbitration award. That will result in improved overtime compensation for new Assistant Deputy Wardens and a $100 daily differential beginning July 1 for Deputy Wardens who take on the role of Acting Warden.