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February 21, 2001 GOP LEGISLATORS PROPOSE COST SAVING
MODIFICATIONS TO LABOR CONTRACT Proposal Would Save $37.7 Million (Mineola, NY) In a letter to the Chairman of NIFA, Frank Zarb, Minority Leader and County Legislator Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) has proposed modifications to the Sheriff Officers (ShOA) labor contract that would save $37 million against the contract negotiated by the Gulotta Administration. Schmitt states in his letter, "…with labor costs representing nearly one-half of County expenditures, we need to take an aggressive, but fair approach with respect to new labor agreements." The proposal made by the Republican legislators would result in the following: WAGES No wage increase in 1998 and 1999 with a wage increase equivalent to the contract recently negotiated by the Community College for its full time faculty for the years 2000 through 2004. This proposal is significantly below the rate of inflation. HEALTH INSURANCE Beginning January 1, 2005, all employees hired on or after this date will pay 10% of their health insurance premium. Payment will be through a pre-tax payroll deduction to the employee. This proposal begins to put an end to the cycle of the County fully paying for health insurance for its employees. WORKERS COMPENSATION REFORM The immediate implementation of workers compensation reform as permitted under state statute. HOLIDAYS The elimination of the Flag Day holiday permanently beginning this year. SICK LEAVE MANAGEMENT A re-opener agreement to the proposed sick leave management provision of the contract if the $1 million in annual savings is not achieved. VACATION TIME ACCUMULATION All new employees hired on or after January 1, 2005 would not be allowed to accumulate more than three weeks of unused vacation time any given year. Schmitt concludes his letter by stating, "This proposal, which is tough, but fair sets this County further down the road of fiscal stability. More importantly, it sets an important pattern should any other union move down the road to arbitration." ANNUAL AND CUMULATIVE SAVINGS OF PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS |