First Is Best

City workers in the Big Apple know what it takes to win a first contract. Now they are reaping the fruits of organizing and collective bargaining.

By Jon Melegrito

NEW YORK CITY

It took seven years to win a first contract, but for the 1,350 certified home health aides (CHHAs) who organized as a unit with Local 389, perseverance paid off. Their council, DC 1707, has at last reached a two-year agreement with the MetroCare Home Health Agency. Hourly wages will be raised by $1.10 to $8.10, retroactive to Feb. 25, 2003. Vacation and sick time will each be doubled to 10 days, and holidays increased from five to eight days, with four major holidays paid at double time — if worked — and four others paid at time and a half.

The agreement also features significant improvements in pay differentials for weekends and overnight work; in union security; and in numerous other areas. The contract, which was unanimously ratified on June 11, runs from Jan. 1 of this year to December of next.

Negotiations for a first contract began in 1997. But after only four bargaining sessions, management declared an impasse. The council took the issue to arbitration and won. MetroCare, which had made some unilateral changes in compensation rates, was ordered to give back over $800,000 to our members. When negotiations resumed two years later, activists lobbied city council officials and state legislators, and rallied at city hall.

Says Ethel Anderson, a member of the bargaining team: "It was a hard fight, but we didn't give up. The whole experience was worth it."

ALMOST THERE. DC 1707 is also making steady progress toward a first contract for 1,700 CHHAs who work for Allen Health Care. Organized in May 2000, the unit has been in negotiations for the last 18 months. The agency has agreed to binding arbitration, dues check-off, grievance procedures, and more. The differences on economics have been narrowed, with Allen offering 2.25 percent increases during each year of the contract. Still to be settled: health insurance, wage increases, vacation time and job security.

Says Glenda Washington of the bargaining team: "It often amazes me to know how far we've come to win this battle for a first contract. I'm satisfied with what we got."

Meanwhile, the city's 7,000 day care workers — who have been without a contract for more than two years — are stepping up their efforts. Recently, 3,000 members of Local 205 (DC 1707), together with parents and children, rallied to protest threatened cuts to child care programs that serve nearly 60,000 children. More than 30 child care centers throughout New York, serving 11,000 children, may be closed. Over 1,000 members could lose their jobs.

Earlier in the year, the city workers staged a one-day strike to denounce Mayor Michael Bloomberg's (R) demand that they accept smaller raises. They are seeking 4 percent a year for three years. Glenn Huff, president of the union's day care division, criticized the city's offer: a five-year contract providing, instead of increases in base pay, annual lump-sum payments equal to 3 percent of salary. The mayor is also pushing for various concessions and givebacks. "That's unfair because it's far less than the 9 percent raise over 27 months in our last contract," says Huff. "This is lower than what most municipal employees now receive."          

DC 1707 is fired up. In addition to a lawsuit against the city for diverting day care funds, the council is planning a public-awareness campaign. (The suit was dismissed, but DC 1707 is appealing.) In September, it will stage a mock funeral procession in front of Bloomberg's house. Explains Huff: "We want to drive home the point that he is destroying public child care."