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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 133-06
April 27, 2006

MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE LABOR AGREEMENT WITH CORRECTION OFFICERS' BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION

27 Month Agreement Provides 6.24% Increases and Other Benefits

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Norman Seabrook, President of the Correction Officers' Benevolent Association (COBA), today announced that a tentative settlement has been reached, pending ratification, with COBA on an overall economic agreement covering approximately 8,100 Correction Officers in the New York City Department of Correction. The settlement, which is subject to the Union's ratification process, is consistent with the City's pattern for collective bargaining for the uniformed services. The term of the new agreement covers the 27 month period from May 1, 2005 through July 31, 2007.

"We are pleased to have reached this agreement with the Correction Officers Benevolent Association whose members perform extraordinary work under some of the most demanding conditions," said Mayor Bloomberg. "To provide much deserved wage increases and other contractual improvements, President Norman Seabrook worked creatively to design a favorable contract for his members."

"I am very pleased to announce that a tentative contract settlement has been reached with the City of New York," said COBA President Seabrook. "Correction Officers are at the forefront of keeping New York City safe and secure. They deserve nothing less than a contract that reflects their tremendous contributions to this great City. Through the course of countless hours of negotiations, the COBA Executive Board and I have achieved yet another contract which all New York City Correction Officers can be proud of. Moving forward, we will continue to work diligently to improve wages and benefits, and obtain the best possible contract for all New York City Correction Officers and their families."

"New York City Correction Officers are not only the Boldest, but also the noblest, and we are gratified that under Norman Seabrook's leadership they were able to negotiate a good contract with the Office of Labor Relations," said Correction Commissioner Martin Horn. "We appreciate the support that we always receive from Commissioner Hanley and his staff."

The settlement builds on the one the City had reached with COBA in September 2005. This latest agreement is modeled on the comparable financial parameters contained in settlements reached with the Uniformed Firefighters Association, the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, the Uniformed Sanitationmen's Association, the Detectives Endowment Association, and, most recently, the Assistant Deputy Wardens/Deputy Wardens Association.

The principal features of the settlement include:

  • A 3% increase effective May 1, 2005.

  • A 3.15% increase, compounded, effective May 1, 2006.

  • Effective May 1, 2006, a one-time lump sum payment in the amount of $1,085 will be paid to each member of the bargaining unit in active pay status.

  • Effective May 1, 2007, the Uniform Allowance will be increased by $100.

  • Effective May 1, 2007, the City's contribution to the Annuity Fund will be increased by $475 for all active members.

A three-month contract extension generates the necessary additional savings to fund the improvements in the Uniform Allowance and Annuity Fund, and to provide the lump sum payment.

"Once again, the City of New York's commitment to attain fiscally responsible settlements has been harmonized with the Union's desire to achieve fair treatment and compensation for their members," said Mayor Bloomberg. "I also want to thank Deputy Mayor Edward Skyler, Correction Commissioner Martin Horn, COBA President Norman Seabrook, Labor Commissioner James F. Hanley and First Deputy Commissioner Pamela S. Silverblatt and their team, and Mark Page, Director of the Office of Management and Budget and his team for their efforts in reaching this Agreement."







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser/Jordan Barowitz   (212) 788-2958




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