Agreement Includes Juneteenth Holiday and Paid Family Leave
The Schenectady County Legislature passed a proposed Tentative 5-year agreement between the County and CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, and AFL-CIO (Schenectady County Unit, Schenectady County Local 885) through the Committee on Labor and Civil Service.
The Legislature will vote again on the tentative agreement during their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 8. If passed, the 5-year agreement will cover the period between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2025.
“Many of the employees impacted by this tentative agreement were on the frontlines throughout the pandemic, helping residents access the services they depended on over the last year, oftentimes in new and creative ways,” said Anthony Jasenski, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “This contract reflects their contributions and helps keeps employee compensation in line with anticipated inflation rates while adding paid family leave and decreasing the County’s prescription drug costs.”
Employees that fall under this proposed agreement work at Public Health Services, the Glendale Nursing Home, Child Protective Services, Probation, Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Social Services and other agencies.
Budget Highlights
Juneteenth, which is celebrated on June 19th, will now be a County holiday.
Additional budget highlights include:
Pay Increases
2021 – 2.00% plus a $1,000 bonus not in base pay
2022 – 2.25%
2023 – 2.25%
2024 – 2.25%
2025 – 2.25%
Paid Family Leave
Up to 8 weeks at 2/3rds of regular salary, up to a maximum of $1,000 per week of paid leave will be available for employees to bond with a newborn, adopted or foster child.
Vaccination Bonuses
All unit employees who receive a COVID-19 vaccination shot prior to September 1, 2021 will receive one additional bonus vacation day, this year only. Additionally, if 80 percent of the bargaining unit receives a COVID-19 shot by September 1, 2021, all vaccinated unit members will receive a one-time $200 bonus.
Retention Bonuses at Glendale Nursing Home
To address a shortage in the labor market and increased staffing requirements, the Legislature also passed an agreement through the Committee on Labor and Civil Service between the County and 1199 SEIU to offer a $2,000 retention bonus for any Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNAs) after 6 months of satisfactory service. This would apply to any LPN or CNA hired by the County’s Glendale Home on or after January 1, 2021.
Healthcare Costs
Additional changes to the County’s prescription drug coverage will provide significant savings to the County while also offering a 90-day supply by mail of prescription medications at a cost of 2 co-pays.