Contracts

2023-24 Contract Updates

Sept. 25, 2024

Elevator Mechanic Contract Talks Resume

The Local 237 Negotiation Committee met with City and Housing Authority representatives on September 25th. Management presented their cost out of how the outside prevailing wage and benefit package could be applied to Elevator Mechanic titles, as well as comparisons to the Citywide pattern. The contract covers Elevator Mechanics, Supervisors and Helpers.

Local 237 will evaluate the figures provided by the City and the union committee will decide whether to choose between the pattern or outside private sector rate and then formulate a proposal.

Local 237’s negotiation committee identified several contract priorities.

As with all Local 237 contracts, President Floyd remains focused on the preservation of member benefits. Negotiation committee members also raised the need to increase paid leave.

Additionally, the committee discussed modifying seniority calculations to reflect total years of service rather than by years working in a title. Currently, members promoted to a new title often receive fewer paid sick and vacation days than they earned in their previous title.

City negotiators offered an additional small pay bump in exchange for an 11-year waiver which would take away the union’s right to opt for the prevailing wage in contract negotiations. Local 237 Secretary-Treasurer Donald Arnold told City negotiators that the committee would not accept that proposal, which would handcuff the union in future negotiations and possibly lead to years without any wage increases.

Members of the Local 237 Negotiation Committee include President Gregory Floyd, Secretary-Treasurer Donald Arnold, Union Attorney Martha Bodhnarain, Trustee Curtis Scott, Assistant Housing Division Director Norberto Luna, Assistant to the President Ken Roper, DOE Elevator Mechanic Damian Pusey, NYPD Elevator Supervisor Thomas Paul, DCAS Elevator Mechanic Jesse Spinelli, NYCHA Elevator Supervisor Ronald Hall, NYCHA Elevator Mechanic Steven Echandy, NYCHA Elevator Supervisor Vincent Carren, NYCHA Elevator Helper Bobby Rice, DCAS Elevator Supervisor John Sullivan, DCAS Elevator Helper Michael Dangel and DOE Elevator Mechanic William Moreno.

May 15, 2024

Elevator Mechanics Kick Off Negotiations

Local 237’s Negotiation Committee held their first bargaining meeting on May 15. The contract covers Elevator Mechanics, Supervisors and Helpers. As a first step, the City presented the terms of a contract consistent with the Citywide pattern. Local 237 President Floyd has always prioritized the preservation of benefits in all contract negotiations.

The next session will be held once the outside wage and benefit package has been costed out. This will permit the Committee to compare the prevailing private sector wage and benefit package (Local 1 contract) to the Citywide wage and benefit contract, and choose the best contract option.

Members of the Local 237 Negotiation Committee include Secretary Treasurer Donald Arnold, Union Attorney Martha Bodhnarain, Trustee Curtis Scott, Assistant Housing Division Director Norberto Luna, DOE Elevator Mechanic Damian Pusey, NYPD Elevator Supervisor Thomas Paul, DCAS Elevator Mechanic Jesse Spinelli, NYCHA Elevator Supervisor Ronald Hall, NYCHA Elevator Mechanic Steven Echandy, NYCHA Elevator Supervisor Vincent Carren, NYCHA Elevator Helper Bobby Rice, DCAS Elevator Supervisor John Sullivan and DCAS Elevator Helper Michael Dangel.

February 26, 2024

Maintenance Contract Ratified

The contract was overwhelmingly approved by Local 237 maintenance members working at
NYCHA, City agencies and CUNY. The ratified contract includes annual raises totaling 16.21%, retro-pay and a $3,000 signing bonus, as well as the protection of healthcare and supplemental union benefits at no additional costs to workers.

Maintenance workers also won a new benefit - Comp. time or cash for overtime hours.

From left, the contract ratification was conducted by Local 237 Housing Div. Director Carl Giles, Local 237 Trustee Curtis Scott, Local 237 Secretary Treasurer Donald Arnold, Sanitation Dept. Maintenance Worker Bridget Price and Local 237 BA Ken Roper.

February 15, 2024

CUNY Members, Cement Masons Ratify Contracts

By wide margins, Local 237 members working at CUNY and Cement Masons working at all City agencies, ratified contracts that provide annual raises, retro-pay and a signing bonus, as well as the protection of healthcare and supplemental union benefits. The contract covering Maintenance workers, the final local 237 contract to be negotiated, is currently out for a vote of the membership and will be tallied February 26th.

Overwhelming Ratification by CUNY members. From left - Local 237 Trustee Curtis Scott, Local 237 Recording Secretary Jeanette Taveras, Baruch College Grievance Rep. and Shop Steward Luis Sanchez, Local 237 Attorney Lawrence Bosley, Local 237 Secretary Treasurer Donald Arnold , Local 237 Attorney Martha Bodhnarain, Local 237 Business Agent Kangela Moore and Local 237 Law Enforcement Division Dir. Derek Jackson.

Unanimous Vote for Cement Mason Contract. From left - Local 237 Recording Secretary Jeanette Taveras, Local 237 Trustee Curtis Scott, CUNY Grievance Rep. Luis Sanchez, Local 237 Business Agent Bianca Jones, Local 237 Attorney Lawrence Bosley, Cement Mason Grievance Rep. and Shop Steward Andrea Harris, Local 237 Secretary Treasurer Donald Arnold, Local 237 Attorney Martha Bodhnarain, and and Local 237 Law Enforcement Division Dir. Derek Jackson.

January 19, 2024

Tentative Maintenance Contract

After lengthy back and forth with the City, Local 237’s Negotiation Committee came to a new
contract agreement. The tentative contract will now go to maintenance members working at
NYCHA, City agencies and CUNY for ratification. Committee members voted in favor of
the contract, which includes annual raises totaling 16.21%, retro-pay and a $3,000 signing
bonus, as well as the protection of healthcare and supplemental union benefits at no additional
costs to workers.

Local 237 President Floyd said, “We’re pleased to have a tentative agreement with the City that
preserves the excellent health and welfare benefits that generations of Local 237 members have
fought for.”

The committee held firm against City proposals that would have weakened the collective
bargaining agreement.

At the beginning of the session, City negotiators offered an additional small pay bump in
exchange for an 11-year waiver which would take away the union’s right to opt for the prevailing
wage in contract negotiations. Currently, all skilled trades 220 and 230 titles may choose between
the citywide pattern or the outside prevailing wage in contract negotiations, depending on which
most benefits workers at that time. Another condition the City sought was the elimination of all
NYCHA grievances relating to out of title work.

Local 237 Secretary-Treasurer Donald Arnold told City negotiators that the committee would
not accept those proposals, which could have handcuffed the union in future negotiations.
Additionally, the precedent of not grieving out of title work would likely set a harmful precedent.

In the end, both sides agreed to a fair contract. Check back for information on mail ballot
ratification.

The 2023/24 Local 237 Maintenance Negotiation Committee approved a tentative contract on January 19.

January 10, 2024

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE LABOR AGREEMENT COVERING OVER 10,000 CUNY EMPLOYEES
Including Teamsters Local 237

Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday, January 10 a tentative labor agreement lasting over five years between The City University of New York and Teamsters Local 237, District Council 37 and SEIU Local 300, covering over 10,000 employees, including custodial staff, college assistants, IT and public safety officers. The proposed retroactive contract is subject to approval by the CUNY Board of Trustees and ratification by the union membership.

Teamsters Local 237 President Gregory Floyd said: “This was a difficult negotiation, but with the collective efforts of Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams and CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez, we have reached an agreement to bring to our members.”

In a statement by Governor Hochul she said: “This tentative agreement will help to ensure that these hard-working employees of The City University of New York are fairly compensated for the work they do every day to support New York’s college students.” My administration is committed to standing up for workers and ensuring they get the wages and benefits they deserve.”

The agreement includes:
•   Ratification Bonus - Upon contract ratification, eligible members will receive a one-time bonus of $3,000.

•   $18 Minimum Wage - As of July 1, 2023, employees covered by the contract will earn at least $18 per hour minimum wage (up from $15), a rate that is above the current State and City minimum wage.

•   Increase in Welfare Fund - An annual per person increase in welfare fund payments in support of critical employee benefits such as dental insurance, vision coverage, and tuition reimbursement for active and retired employees.

In addition, amid a nationwide shortage of public safety officers, the proposed contract increases current salaries and provides other economic enhancements to strengthen recruitment and retention. The benefits include reducing the time it takes to reach the top salary step for Campus Peace Officers from seven years to five, and salary differentials for longevity – after 10 years – and for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT).

The tentative agreement dates differ slightly by union. For DC 37 and its eight locals, it begins on June 1, 2021, and expires on January 9, 2027. For the Teamsters, it goes from September 19, 2021, to July 15, 2027. And for SEIU Local 300, from March 1, 2021, to June 19, 2026.

Workers will receive the following compounded and retroactive wage increases. Exact dates vary by union.

•   2021: 2.5%
•   2022: 2.5%
•   2023: 3.0%
•   2024: 3.0%
•   2025: 3.125%

November 2023
Plasterers, Roofers and Horseshoers Ratify Contracts
By wide margins, Plasterers and Roofers (including Supervisors) ratified contracts that provide annual raises, retro-pay and a signing bonus, as well as the protection of healthcare and supplemental union benefits. Horseshoers ratified their contract earlier. With the new contracts in place, Horseshoers and Plasterers now have the option of compensatory time in lieu of cash for overtime hours. The ratified skilled trades contracts cover workers in all City Agencies.

Local 237 Secretary-Treasurer Donald Arnold (center), staff and members celebrate the unanimous ratification of the Plasterers and Supervisor Plasterers contract.

Thumbs up on Roofers and Supervisor Roofers contract ratification

October 25, 2023
Housing Contract Ratified by Wide Margin
Upon the October 25, 2023 tally of votes, Teamsters Local 237 announced the ratification of the tentative agreement with the New York City Housing Authority. The near unanimous ratification (more than 98% approval) will provide housing division members with annual raises, retro-pay and a signing bonus, as well as the protection of healthcare and supplemental union benefits.

The Local 237 Housing contract count observers. From Left: Brian Wynn, Trustee Curtis Scott, BA Kenneth Franco, BA Vincent Lattimore, Cleveland Dunn, Cephas Suber, President Greg Floyd, Jerry Burk, Secretary-Treasurer Donald Arnold, and BA Ken Roper. Seated: LyAsia Saunders, Kai-ea Robinson, and SueAnn Middleton.

October 23, 2023
Tentative Horseshoer Contract
Local 237’s Horseshoer Negotiation Committee has secured the union’s first prevailing wage contract in this round of negotiations. The proposed agreement includes annual raises, a $3,000 lump sum payment and maintains health and retirement benefits with no additional costs to members. The proposal contains retro pay. The proposed contract will now go to a vote of Local 237 Horseshoer members.

October 2, 2023
Tentative Housing Contract
 The Local 237 Housing Negotiation Committee has approved a tentative NYCHA contract. The agreement includes annual raises, a $3,000 lump sum payment and maintains benefits with no additional costs to members. The proposal contains retro pay, as well as many differential and allowance increases. The proposed contract will now go to a vote of Local 237 Housing Division members.

Mail ballots will be counted Oct. 25th. If you do not receive a ballot by October 11, call Global Election Services at 1.877.455.9367 or email helpdesk@voteges.com (Monday through Friday from 9AM to 5PM only). You must request a new ballot by Oct. 18th.

The Local 237 Housing Division Negotiation Committee approved a tentative contract.

August 1, 2023
Citywide Contract Agreements Overwhelmingly Ratified
Upon the July 31, 2023 tally of votes, Teamsters Local 237 announced the ratification of four contract agreements with the City of New York which encompasses members working for all Citywide agencies-- including Health and Hospital Corporation--School Food Service workers, and members working under Local Law 56 and TLC. Among the provisions of these agreements is the protection of healthcare benefits. Members approved the contracts by a large margin. Remaining contracts currently under negotiation are the Housing Authority and Skilled Trade workers.

Pictured are the observers of the vote count, flanked by Derek Jackson (l) Director of Local 237’s Law Enforcement Division and Donald Arnold (r) Secretary Treasurer of Local 237’s Executive Board and Director of the Citywide Division. Present but not pictured was Curtis Scott, Executive Board Trustee and Citywide Business Agent.

June 29, 2023
Citywide Contract Ratification
Ballots have been mailed to all Citywide members and will be counted on Monday, July 31st. All ballots must be received by 10 a.m. on the 31st. If you haven't received a ballot, contact Global Election Services at 877.455.9367 or email helpdesk@voteges.com. The last day to request a duplicate ratification ballot is 5:00 pm, Friday, July 21st.

June 26, 2023
Tentative Citywide Contract
The tentative agreement was approved by the Local 237 Citywide Negotiation Committee. The agreement includes annual raises, a lump sum payment and maintains benefits with no additional costs to members. The proposed contract will now go to a vote of Local 237 Citywide members.

The union continues to negotiate contracts for NYCHA, CUNY and skilled trades titles.

Statement by Gregory Floyd, President, Teamsters Local 237 and IBT VP at-Large on Tentative Citywide Contract:

“Upon contract ratification by our members, I am delighted to announce that today history was made. Thanks to a collaborative effort with Mayor Eric Adams and Labor Relations Commissioner, Renee Campion, a groundbreaking tentative agreement with the City was negotiated and successfully reached that marks an extraordinary achievement in labor relations that includes: a 16.21% increase in wages across the board, and a $3,000 lump sum cash payment to our members upon ratification. Our members, who work tirelessly to help keep the City up and running, now know that their efforts are recognized and rewarded. This contract victory also underscores the importance of solidarity as union members. We have the vision and voice of all working people who deserve and demand dignity and fairness in the workplace. Workers’ rights are human rights and this accomplishment celebrates the fact that, today, the two have come together.”

Tentative NYCHA Contract Raises Wages, Boosts Annuity

Member Ratification extended to Jan. 10th.

Local 237 has reached an agreement with NYCHA that provides annual raises of 2%, 2.25% and 3%. Workers will receive 2 percent back pay from May 2018. Additionally, 237 members will receive annual annuity increases of nearly $500 by the end of the three-year contract.   Payments to the Local 237 Health and Welfare funds will increase for both active and retired members.   The contract maintains current health and pension benefits.

The Union and City will work together to provide new NYS Paid Family Leave benefits to NYCHA workers by June 2019.

Caretaker Premiums and Bonus
The agreement creates four new staggered work schedules in addition to the current Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. schedule for Caretaker and Supervisory titles. Current employees may bid, by seniority, for the new 4-day, ten-hour schedules. A one-time bonus of $1,500 will be given to all incumbent Caretakers and Supervisors working the new schedules. Employees who work either of the two schedules that include weekend work will receive 20% premium pay for their regularly scheduled weekend work. Incumbent employees working weekday schedules will be paid time and one-half and time and three-quarters for Saturday and Sunday overtime, respectively. The tentative agreement includes the following schedules for Caretakers and Supervisors:

•    Traditional: Mon.-Fri., 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
•   4-day, 10-hour shifts, including every other weekend. Either an early shift (6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or a late shift (8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
•   4-day, 10-hour shifts, weekdays only from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Either Mon.-Thurs. or Tues. – Fri.

Job and Safety Protections
Local 237 members know best how to improve conditions at NYCHA. The agreement addresses management’s practice of contracting out our work and creates labor-management committees and programs to keep our jobs and bring our work back.

The agreement will improve Local 237’s training for Heating Plant Technicians (HPTs) and creates a mentorship program to provide greater opportunities for member advancement. A Labor–Management committee will seek ways to have 237 members perform HPT work and make the jobs more attractive to new and experienced workers.

While no 237 members have lost their jobs as a consequence of privatizing operations through the HUD RAD program, such as at Bayside, we must ensure that our work is safe as the RAD program is accelerated to include 62,000 apartments. The contract creates a Labor-Management committee that will explore maintaining good paying 237 jobs in RAD developments. Our goal is to make use of a public housing model similar to the one used at the Cambridge, Massachusetts Housing Authority, where Teamster members kept their jobs and union representation after public housing was converted to private management.

The Union, City and NYCHA will create an onsite worker health-screening program, for early diagnosis of illnesses that are caused by workplace hazards such as mold, lead, asbestos and Hepatitis C.

During the Flex-Ops pilot program, the union raised serious safety issues concerning Caretakers working early and late shifts. Safety issues brought up in the Flex-Ops agreement will be addressed before implementing the new shifts. Additionally, a Labor-Management Committee will be formed to resolve any new or ongoing health and safety concerns.

Member Ratification
Ballots have been mailed to members’ homes. Make sure your vote counts - mark and return your ballots right away. Due to the holidays, contract ballots will be now be counted on January 10th.