Mayor Eric Adams and the Teamsters Local 237 union, which represents public employees such as School Safety Agents and hospital police, have agreed on a tentative contract worth $293 million.
This five-year retroactive agreement includes a 3% pay raise dating back to April 2022 for the 9,000 covered employees.
Mayor Adams expressed his satisfaction with the preliminary agreement, emphasizing the essential service the union’s members provided.
Adams said in a statement, “The men and women who protect our schools, our hospitals, and our shelters, and all of the members of Teamsters Local 237, work tirelessly to serve our city, and we are pleased to have reached this tentative agreement to provide them with the pay they deserve.”
He added, “This agreement provides for fair wage increases and a quicker route to top pay to ensure we continue to recruit and retain the top talent for the best workforce in the best city in the world.”
The wage increases are scheduled to continue at a 3% rate in 2023, 2024, and 2025, reaching 3.25% by 2026, culminating in a compounded growth of 16.21%. The deal echoes previous agreements with DC37 and the United Federation of Teachers.
City Hall announced they’ve reached settlements encompassing nearly 80% of all city employees. A bonus to the deal is a one-off $3,000 lump sum bonus for all members once the agreement is ratified.
The agreement additionally provides an accelerated progression to peak pay for School Safety Agents and special officers, such as hospital and homeless services police, reducing the waiting period from seven years to five.
Gregory Floyd, Teamsters’ president, highlighted the recognition and reward of their members’ hard work with this contract victory.
He said, “Our members, who work tirelessly to help keep the city up and running, now know that their efforts are recognized and rewarded.”
Floyd added, “This contract victory also underscores the importance of solidarity as union members. We have the vision and voice of all working people who deserve and demand dignity and fairness in the workplace. Workers’ rights are human rights, and this accomplishment celebrates the fact that, today, the two have come together.”
