New Rochelle and the Civil Service Employees Association have reached a tentative agreement that would freeze salaries for two years and 2 percent hikes in years three and four of the contract, The Journal News reports today. It would allow the city to hire new employees at salaries 10 percent lower than current levels and it would avoid layoffs.
The City Council would have to approve the contract, which covers roughly 100 office workers. The council will review the agreement Tuesday.
The agreement, which would be retroactive to the beginning of this year, includes an incentive for employees who don’t use more than two sick days a year. Employees who don’t use any sick days in a year would receive $1,000 bonuses. There would be bonuses of $600 for using only one sick day and $300 for using only two sick days. Members of the police union and firefighters union already receive bonuses for not taking sick days.
Other terms in the agreement are a $100 hike in longevity payments and an increase in monthy payments employees receive if they don’t take health benefits from $400 to $500.
City Manager Charles Strome III told The Journal News he thinks the tentative contract is fair. John Caldararo, head of the CSEA local, did not return calls for comment Thursday.
