Printer Friendly Format Email a Friend


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 172-05
May 4, 2005

MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES SALARY INCREASES FOR EMPLOYEES AT NOT-FOR-PROFIT SERVICE PROVIDERS

City will Fund 12% Raises with the Possibility of an Additional 2% from Productivity for Employees of Contract Human Service Providers

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced that New York City will provide nearly $70 million for salary increases for approximately 13,000 employees at 400 social service agencies across the City. The money will raise salaries for social workers, cooks, custodians, clerical aides, drivers and other employees who have not received raises since January1st, 2001 and who work at not-for-profit agencies that contract with the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), Administration for Children Services (ACS) and the Department for the Aging (DFTA). The Mayor was joined by Michael Stoller, Executive Director of the Human Services Council, DHS Commissioner Linda Gibbs, ACS Commissioner John Mattingly, DFTA Commissioner Edwin Méndez-Santiago and Labor Relations Commissioner James Hanley.

“Taking care of our senior citizens, children and homeless is demanding work that deserves our respect, gratitude and support,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “I am pleased that the City will fund salary increases for employees who work at contract agencies and additional increases will be funded by productivity.   I want to thank the Human Services Council for their creativity and innovation. By working together we will provide larger and more competitive salaries for their employees and better service for New Yorkers.”

The principal features of the agreement include:

  • A one-time $1,000 lump sum cash payment for all full time employees, pro-rated for part-time employees.
  • A 9% general wage increase effective April 1, 2005.
  • A 3% compounded wage increase effective April 1, 2005.
  • A 2% general wage increase effective April 1, 2005, which will be funded by productivity improvements and other operational savings.
  • Productivity savings will be generated by working with the Human Services Council to make the delivery of services more effective and efficient.  DHS providers will develop procedures and standards for shelter staff to assess clients’ housing options upon intake to shelter, resulting in reduced time in shelter, cost savings and clients moving into housing more quickly. DFTA’s providers will be rewarded for improving service delivery to seniors. Children at risk of entering foster care or leaving the foster care system will benefit from increased hours at contract prevention programs.

“Not-for-profit agencies provide a vital service to the City's most vulnerable residents,” said Michael Stoller.  “We thank the Mayor for recognizing and supporting their hard work, and for recognizing the critical contribution the human service community makes to the quality of life in New York.  We are pleased to partner with City agencies to innovate and improve systems, and believe these productivity initiatives will produce better results for clients and increase accountability to the public.”

“This vital agreement not only benefits the thousands of committed professionals who have dedicated their lives to helping others, it enables us to see to it that the children and families of this City get the support and expertise they need and very much deserve,” said Commissioner Mattingly.

“The non-profit shelter providers have been leaders in the Mayor’s efforts to reduce homelessness by two-thirds over five years,” said Commissioner Gibbs. “A more competitively paid workforce, along with these innovative productivity measures, will further energize efforts to end chronic homelessness in New York City.”

“I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg for his dedication to older New Yorkers and to those who provide the high quality services to them each day,” said Commissioner Méndez-Santiago. “The not-for-profit aging network provides essential services that help older adults maximize their ability to live active and independent lives. These salary increases will help ensure a strong network that continues to dedicate itself to a growing senior population.”







MEDIA CONTACT:


Ed Skyler/Jordan Barowitz   (212) 788-2958



GENERAL CONTACT:

James Anderson   (DHS)
(212) 361-7971

Christopher Miller   (DFTA)
(212) 442-1092

Sharman Stein / Elisabeth de Bourbon   (ACS)
(212) 341-0999


More Resources
Watch the video in 56k or 300k