Albany Housing Authority

10/5/2004

PEF Division 503 is happy to announce that the bargaining team reached a tentative agreement with the Albany Housing Authority! 

The new contract term is from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2007.  The highlights include:

Salary Increases

• 3% salary increase effective July 1, 2003
• 2.75% salary increase effective July 1, 2004
• 2.5% salary increase effective July 1, 2005
• 2.5% salary increase effective July 1, 2006

Union Representation

• The bargaining unit will have an additional shop steward. 
• AHA must notify the PEF Director of Field Services within two days of serving any employee with a Notice of Discipline. 
• The parties agreed on a list of titles and functions that will be included in the bargaining unit. 

Bereavement Leave

            PEF members are eligible for bereavement leave for the death of a stepparent in addition to the existing list of family members. 

Health Insurance

Any employee hired on or after January 1, 2005 will contribute 15% toward payment of his/her health insurance premium. 

Retiree Health Insurance

            All employees hired on or after January 1, 2005, who retire with at least 10 years of service at the Albany Housing Authority will be entitled to continue the health insurance in effect at the time of his/her retirement for life with the same AHA percentage contribution toward premiums that AHA contributed on the employee’s retirement date. 

Pretax Benefit Plan

In addition to the terms of the new contract, AHA agreed to establish a plan that will allow pretax deductions for medical expenses.  The Employment Benefit Management Group of Rose & Kiernan, Inc. will administer this pre-tax benefit plan, also known as a “cafeteria” plan.

If you have additional questions call Tom Capone at 785-900, ext. 228. 

Day 8 - July 26, 2004. The PEF bargaining team and Housing Authority Management are discussing management’s package, but there is a dispute over longevity and the actual dollar amounts.

Day 7 - May 26, 2004. We were able to convince the Authority to increase the percentages in their wage proposal and explore a Cafeteria plan to offset the proposed increase cost of medical expenses (the letter sent to everyone’s home). The Union and management representatives reviewed retroactivity on payments and open enrollments periods for the health insurance.

Day 6 - May 18, 2004. The bargaining team and management made advances toward resolving job titles and classification standards issues, so that every employee will have a written job description and clear list of duties that they will be expected to perform. The employer further recognizes the Union will need another steward’s position created as the Authority expands the work locations throughout the City.

Day 5 - February 10, 2004. Negotiations continue to move forward and the bargaining team appreciates the support the members have given us. We are committed to “doing what it takes” to ensure a collectively bargained agreement. While management offered conceptual numbers regarding wages, these numbers do not off set the increase cost of the proposed health insurance package. Both sides are committed to exploring alternative way to address the health insurance obstacle but we may need to clear other potential sticking points.

Day 4 - December 19, 2003. While the Employer continues to cry “wolf” over their financial plight the Union pointed out that the occupancy rate of available units in the City is rising. With the potential for growth in the spring of next year, we expect the Authority to shrink the budget deficit they currently are experiencing. We spent a great deal of time discussing the Authority’s funding sources and management’s allocation methods for various projects and administrative costs.

Day 3 - November 19, 2003. The employer continues to point to an inability to meet our financial demands for wages increases and a possible need to privatize parts of the Authority’s services to the City of Albany. PEF pointed out the Union opposes privatization and will fight back with whatever means are necessary. Negotiations continue to move forward despite the fact that financial deficits are looming on the horizon.

Day 2 - September 26, 2003. Issues of Retirees Health insurance were discussed and letters from the NYS Retirement system shared with the union pointing to a $500,000 gap in funding for retiree contributions, which the Authority has to make up. Management provided job titles and job descriptions that the union requested. Every employee should expect accurate duties descriptions and the Authority should eliminate titles that it no longer funds or uses.

Day 1 - September 10, 2003. Negotiations commence today with the Employer. Ground rules were agreed to and proposals between the parties were exchanged. The negotiating climate could not be any worst with Federal cutbacks in aid to Authorities across the country as well as layoffs predicted for Albany.
 

The PEF bargaining team mailed the Union’s contract proposals to management on July 25 and expects formal bargaining to start in August.

The PEF bargaining team is:

Tom Capone – PEF Field Representative/lead negotiator
Gary Simmons - Council Leader
John Kohler – PEF Executive Board member
Diane Myers
Jim Googas

For more information call Tom Capone at PEF Headquarters
Telephone 785-1900, extension 288
Email: tcaptone@pef.org