Wardens Union Bumps Top Pay 3.5%; Get 2% Hike for Junior Staff
By TOMMY HALLISSEY
The Assistant Deputy Wardens/Deputy Wardens' Association has secured a 3.5-percent increase in maximum salary to keep pace with Police Officer raises awarded in arbitration in May.

SIDNEY SCHWARTZBAUM: All members get quick benefit.

The salary increase is retroactive to Feb. 29, 2008, with members who reach maximum salary after that date receiving it on that anniversary. Union members not yet qualifying for top pay will get a 2-percent salary increase as of Feb. 29, 2008.

'Something for Everyone'

"I wanted to give everybody a little something," said union president Sidney Schwartzbaum. "There were complaints that only the top-pay people were getting increases."

Effective March 1, 2008, the basic maximum salary will rise to $100,078 for Assistant Deputy Wardens; to $130,463 for Deputy Wardens; and to $137,495 for Deputy Wardens in Command.

This deal follows the formula of a Patrolmen's Benevolent Association arbitration award in May, which granted 4.5- and 5-percent increases, which exceeded by 3.5 percent — including compounding — the raises of 3 and 3.15 percent other uniformed unions had previously agreed to for the same period. After the award, the city asked the other uniformed unions — all of which had reopener clauses — to make concessions to match the savings in the PBA contract, which allowed for fewer vacation days and additional tours of duty.

Mr. Schwartzbaum said his union was able to avoid massive concessions because it held over savings from the previous contract. "We were able to maintain parity without selling out the unborn," he said. "I give the city a lot of credit. It's a win-win."

Cut Annuity, Added Longevity

Under the old agreement, union members with five, 10 and 15 years on the job were set to receive a $405 longevity increase on March 1, 2009, while 20-year veterans were due $905. Under last week's deal, on March 1, 2009, union members would suffer a $118 reduction in annuity payments. However, on July 1, 2010, there would be a $618 increase in longevity payments at all levels. The total increases in longevity on March 1, 2009 and July 1, 2010 are $905 for 5-, 10- and 15-year veterans and $1,405 for 20-year veterans. "Whatever we lost we got back and more," said the union president.

If the deal is ratified, Deputy Wardens and Assistant Deputy Wardens will receive at least an additional $8,000 annuity fund increase by July 1, 2010. All union members will receive a lump-sum $3,000 payment to their individual annuity account, including those who retire after Sept. 1, 2008. Deputy Wardens, who are active as of Sept. 1, 2008 and not at top pay, will receive an additional $2,690 annuity payment, regardless of retirement or promotion. These payments are in addition to the $5,000 payable on April 1, 2009 to those on active pay status as of Jan. 3, 2008.

The agreement also calls for an $87 reduction in city contributions to the Health and Welfare Fund for each member as of Feb. 1, 2009. That money, however, will be restored on July 1, 2010. "I had to give up health," Mr. Schwartzbaum said. "Everybody gets a little something."

Mr. Schwartzbaum fought hard for a $50-per-day additional differential, bringing the total payment to $150, for Deputy Wardens serving as Active Wardens, effective June 1, 2010. "It was something I wanted for years," said Mr. Schwartzbaum. "It's something I'm most proud of."

The union president said negotiations took only a month. "It was actually probably the smoothest I've encountered in my tenure," he said.