GOSHEN – Rank and file members of the
Orange County Government CSEA have overwhelmingly approved a new contact
with the county. The vote, counted Tuesday, is 785 in favor and 317 opposed.
CSEA President Sabina Shapiro is glad to see the settlement.
“Overall people were happy to be finished with it, have something for everyone; there is something good in the contract for every single group,” Shapiro said.
County Executive Steven Neuhaus said the pact will take the heat off employees, who might have felt in limbo about their future.
“Are they going to get a raise, are they not?” Neuhaus asked “Are they going to get laid off or are they not? What this does is settle a lot of issue and allows me to create a budget that incorporates what the employees are going to be paid,” he said.
The previous pact expired in 2011. The new seven-year agreement is retroactive and includes no wage increase in 2012 and 2013; 60-cents added to every grade in 2014; 1.75 percent in 2015; 1.5 percent in 2016 and 2017; and 1.25 percent in 2018. Employees will also receive a new 20-year longevity step. All employees will also contribute to the cost of health insurance as of January 2018.
