The Chemung County Legislature voted to approve the contract agreement with CSEA, the largest union which represents over 600 county employees, at its meeting on Oct. 15th.
The Civil Service Employees Association Unit #6350 contract expired on 12/31/2018. On 7/24/2019 the County and CSEA reached a tentative three-year agreement (1/1/19-12/31/21). This agreement was presented to the union in September, and was ratified by the membership on 9/18/19 by a vote of 331 (YES) to 34 (NO).
Due to the County’s problem with recruitment and retention of employees (particularly in DSS), the main objective in negotiations for both parties was to revise the structure and compensation for the new hire schedules that were adopted on 10/16/2013. This agreement creates a step schedule within the new hire schedules and includes higher percentage increases for those employees.
Retention and recruitment of Nursing Facility positions, specifically that of Certified Nurse Aides and Licensed Practical Nurses was addressed separately. The Nursing Facility NHP pay schedule which these titles are a part of will see significant percentage increases during the life of the contract (approximately 15%).
This agreement also removes several pay schedules that created disparity among the unit, specifically impacting some employees of the Nursing Facility and Department of Public Works.
Apart from the new hire schedule increases, the contract provides a 2% increase for 2019.
Estimated total base payroll increase for CSEA unit #6350 members in 2019 is 4.13%.
County was also successful in negotiating changes in the health insurance, by removing employees from the high cost “Classic Blue Indemnity” plan to the PPO plan. All employees under a new hire pay schedule will be enrolled in the PPO2 plan.
The approved contract can be viewed below.
Tentative_Agreement