|
PEF probation officers reach tentative agreement on new
contract
By DARCY WELLS
Their message was clear, “something has to change,” and now it appears that
message has not fallen on deaf ears. Dozens of PEF Division 502 probation
officers who work for Albany County have taken a giant step toward signing a new
contract with the county that will finally bring them closer in line with the
salaries of probation officers in surrounding counties.
“We’ve made some significant ground, salarywise,” said Division 502 Council
Leader Craig MacNeil. “It looks like we’re closing the salary gap.”
Probation officers in Albany County are paid $2,798 less annually than those in
nearby Schenectady County, according to MacNeil, and $1,361 less than in
neighboring Rensselaer County.
The agreement
The tentative agreement reached in early September provides for salary increases
of 4 percent, 3 percent and 3 percent retroactive to January 2005 with an
additional 4 percent in 2008 to be split with 2 percent added in January and the
remaining 2 percent following in July; this, after probation officers have been
working under an expired contract for more than two years.
“It’s a significant improvement over the previous contracts with the county,”
said PEF field representative Edward Ray. “In the past, the county has refused
to include longevity payments in the salary schedule. This time around, we were
able to get them included and added a salary step for 15 years of service.”
United front
Division 502 members mobilized like never before, according to MacNeil, packing
county legislative meetings, signing petitions and writing letters demanding a
fair contract.
“We had dozens of members show up at county legislative meetings,” MacNeil said.
“At times there was standing room only as a result of our presence. That show of
unity does not go unnoticed.”
MacNeil said the jury is still out on whether the health insurance plan is
solid. Albany County is self insured and, while MacNeil said so far there have
been no major problems, some bumps in the road have raised some red flags. If
the tentative agreement is approved by PEF’s Executive Board, it will be voted
on by division members before being presented to county legislators for their
approval.
| |
The Communicator Oct. 2006
Features
Jan. state
budget: Save on taxes
Union honing in on
key races
PEF E.Board candidate endors...
Departments
President's Message
Legislative Action
You Said It - Member's Mailbag
Retirees In Action
Health Notes
Getting To Know PEF
PEF Membership Benefits
&Travel
Union Matters
Members empower contract team
Online infection
control course
Probation
officers reach terms
Development courses
offered
Retiree
works to bring feminist...
What's up at
work survey
New PEF leaders
backs parole
Parole wins out-oftitle
grievance
PEF helps flood
victims
WTC benefits
help responders
Hi-Tech RPCI
members...
Save $ on '07
dependent care
Circulation
Statement 2006
Per diem rates
changing for '07
Other Links
Professional Directory
Members' Classified
Member Communicator Feedback
Prefer The Online Edition?
How To Advertise Here
The Communicator Staff
Questions on this
site?
Email the
Webmaster
|