Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Sidney Schwartzbaum, President of the Assistant Deputy Wardens/Deputy Wardens Association (ADW/DWA), announced that a tentative contract settlement has been reached on a collective bargaining agreement covering the period from July 1, 2003 through February 29, 2008.  The agreement covers four years and eight months and includes a greater than 17% wage increase along with a modified salary structure for employees newly promoted to Assistant Deputy Warden and Deputy Warden on or after July 1, 2006.  The agreement is funded through productivity enhancements and other measurable savings and is consistent with the parameters of this round of bargaining that compensate employees for increased productivity.

"Assistant Deputy Wardens and Deputy Wardens throughout our City's detention system are responsible for keeping our jails safe and secure," said Mayor Bloomberg.  "These employees work under some of the most challenging conditions and perform tough jobs with professionalism and skill.  This settlement adheres to the basic economic framework found in agreements reached with our other uniformed forces.  The City of New York has again maintained its commitment to negotiate fiscally prudent settlements that include productivity enhancements while addressing the Union's goal to achieve fair treatment and substantial compensation for its members."

"This round of bargaining posed difficult options for our supervisory union especially considering our small size, but we managed to craft a solution that did no harm to the career path," said ADW/DWA President Schwartzbaum.

The principal features of the settlement, including compounded wage increases of over 17% during the contract for incumbent Assistant Deputy Warden, Deputy Wardens and Deputy Wardens-in-Command, are as follows:

Wage Increases:

• 5% effective July 1, 2003
• 5%, compounded, effective July 1, 2004
• 3%, compounded, effective March 1, 2006
• 3.15%, compounded, effective March 1, 2007

The following productivity and operational improvements have been agreed to:

• New Promotions: For employees newly promoted to Assistant Deputy Warden and Deputy Warden on or after July 1, 2006, a modified salary schedule will apply that lengthens the salary schedule by adding one annual step to the pay plan before reaching maximum salary and by moderating the interim steps.

• Rescheduled Tours: The Department will be permitted to reschedule Assistant Deputy Wardens on two additional occasions per year without payment of pre-tour or post tour overtime.

• Security Benefits Fund: Effective upon ratification, the City's future contributions to the Security Benefits Fund on behalf of each active member and retiree will be reduced by $100.

• Range Day: Assistant Deputy Wardens will use a pass day, or one annual leave day, and all Deputy Wardens and Deputy Wardens-in-Command will use one annual leave day to qualify at the range.

• Uniform Allowance: The annual uniform allowance payment will be reduced by $280.

The following other provision have been agreed to:

• Annuity Fund: The City will remit to the Annuity Fund a one-time lump sum payment in the amount of $2,400 on behalf of each active employee.

• Legal Support/Representation Fund: The City will remit a one-time lump sum payment of $400 on behalf of each active employee to the Legal Support/Representation Fund to be established pursuant to the terms of a supplemental agreement between the City and the Union as approved by the Corporation Counsel.

"I want to thank ADW/DWA President Sidney Schwartzbaum and his Executive Board for rolling up their sleeves and hammering out this agreement," concluded Mayor Bloomberg. "I would also like to thank Deputy Mayor Edward Skyler, Correction Commissioner Martin Horn, Labor Commissioner James F. Hanley and First Deputy Commissioner Pamela S. Silverblatt and their team, and Budget  Director Mark Page and his staff for their efforts in reaching this Agreement."