The remaining two city unions have struck new labor deals – bringing all four public unions under contract through 2028.
The city has reached five-year agreements with the public works and clerical unions after separately ironing out the details over the summer. Both deals were then approved by the Rye City Council on Aug. 14.
The contracts mirror each other to include a 2.75 percent wage increase in 2024, followed by annual raises of 3 percent through 2028. The agreements cap off negotiations that began as the previous contracts expired at the end of 2023, and are retroactive to Jan. 1.
“We are grateful that negotiations were a straightforward process resulting in contracts that are fair to both workers and taxpayers,” CSEA spokesperson Jessica Ladlee told The Record.
The unions are both CSEA Local 1000 units; public works consists of 50 union members while the clerical unit has just 10.
It was a productive year at the collective bargaining table as the city moved faster than in past history to get deals done with all of its public unions. The latest contracts follow five-year labor agreements with the police and firefighters unions that were reached in quick fashion earlier this year.
Those contracts had also expired at the end of 2023.
“Like the two prior contract negotiations, the leadership of both the Clerical and DPW Union was constructive, professional, and collaborative in reaching a successful conclusion,” said City Manager Greg Usry.
Usry said the new public works and clerical deals reflect the value the city has for its employees while also being “respectful of and responsible to our residents.”
“We are very pleased to have settled all four contracts in a relatively short period, providing for almost five years of budget and labor certainty,” the city manager added.
The new contracts both add Juneteenth (June 18) to the calendar as an official holiday and increase longevity pay with stepped increases for those with seven, 12, and 17 years of service.
For the public works union — which is responsible for maintaining the city’s physical infrastructure, refuse collection, recycling, and vehicle maintenance — employees with 10 years of service can now “sell” up to 10 vacation days annually for more flexibility, starting in 2025. And uniform allowances will rise from $450 to $800 by 2025.
The clerical union contract reclassifies key positions and adds new ones, including senior bookkeeper and permit clerk.
“Our union is grateful for the support of residents who appreciate the quality services CSEA members provide in the greater Rye community,” said Ladlee.