Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Sanitation Officers Association President Joseph Mannion today announced that a tentative contract settlement has been reached with the Sanitation Officers Association (SOA) on a collective bargaining agreement covering the period from November 13, 2007 through July 1, 2012.  The agreement, which is subject to ratification, covers over 1,100 first-line supervisors and other ranking officers in the Department of Sanitation. The agreement is modeled after the comparable financial parameters contained in settlements reached with the Uniformed Firefighters Association, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, the Uniformed Sanitationmen's Association, the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, the Captains Endowment Association, the Lieutenants Benevolent Association and the Correction Officers' Benevolent Association.

"The members of the Department of Sanitation - and all of our uniformed forces - provide exemplary services under sometimes extreme conditions," said Mayor Bloomberg. "By rolling-up their sleeves and negotiating an agreement across the bargaining table, the SOA demonstrated their commitment to their members and achieved fair and fiscally responsible compensation. Today's agreement reflects our City's appreciation to the workforce for their significant contributions"

"Sanitation Superintendents and Supervisors are the front line managers for the Department," said Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty "Whether it's assuring that refuse and recycling collections are completed, streets are swept or roadways are plowed of snow, these dedicated men and women excel in difficult field and office assignments.  They are an integral part of New York's Strongest."

"I would like to thank the Mayor for giving us the unique opportunity to settle this contract while we are currently covered by our existing contract which ends on November 12, 2007," said SOA President Joseph Mannion. "The SOA has never had that opportunity to settle a contract before its expiration.  This historic contract has given us the ability to mold a package that gave benefits to our current, future and retired members. I would like to thank Commissioner Hanley and his staff, especially Richard Yates, for their professionalism and work in reaching this deal."

The principal features of the settlement are:

• 4% effective November 13, 2007
  
• 4%, compounded, effective November 13, 2008
  
• 4%, compounded, effective May 2, 2010
  
• 4%, compounded, effective May 2, 2011.

Other Features

Effective December 13, 2008, the salary schedules for Supervisor (Sanitation) and General Superintendent, (Sanitation) (Level I), will reflect the elimination of the step immediately before basic maximum salary.

Annuity Fund

Effective November 13, 2009, the City's pro-rata contribution to the Annuity Fund will increase in the amount of $1,044 per year per employee.  The additional contribution will be increased by any future across-the board wage increases.

Effective December 13, 2008, there will be a one-time lump sum payment in the amount of $2,150 to the annuity fund on behalf of each employee at basic maximum salary as of that date.

Additional Paid Holiday

Effective January 2008, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday will be a paid holiday.

Additional Compensation Funds

Effective June 2, 2011, there will be available funds of 1.48%, and effective May 2, 2012, there will be an additional 0.81% in funds available to purchase recurring benefits, mutually agreed to by the parties, other than to enhance the general wage increases.

Supplemental Annuity Fund

The Union will establish a Supplemental Annuity Fund to provide supplemental benefits to Sanitation Officers who have attained a normal service retirement after twenty years of service.  Effective February 13, 2010, the City of New York will remit a lump-sum contribution in the amount of $580.34 per active employee as of that date to the Supplemental Annuity Fund.  Thereafter, the annual lump-sum amount to be contributed will be adjusted by any future across-the board wage increases.

Special Assignment

Upon ratification of this agreement, the Department will establish and pay a special assignment differential to certain positions in the bargaining unit.

The Mayor thanked Deputy Mayor Ed Skyler, Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty, SOA President Joseph Mannion and his Committee, 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.