UFT Letter to Members, July 2008

July 16, 2008

Dear Administrative Law Judge:

I am writing with information on the status of our contract negotiations with the City, as well as other developments within our ALJ Chapter.

Since the opening of negotiations on April 2nd there have been three bargaining sessions with the City, the most recent of which took place on June 25th. The Negotiating Committee and UFT representatives met again with Management representatives at the Office of Labor Relations.The parties reviewed in detail the draft contract that the City proposed to us at the last session, and moved closer to agreement on several basic issues such as Union Recognition, Union Activity, and Dues Checkoff, where the parties share some similar positions. On some of the more significant issues including Due Process Rights, Grievance Procedure, and Employee Status, differences between the two sides were identified and acknowledged, but not addressed further. As is typically the case, it is expected that meaningful discussion of monetary issues such as salary and benefits will come toward the end of the bargaining process. As such, the Union has not yet provided Management with our proposal for an hourly pay raise.

Subsequent to the June 25th meeting, the Union provided the City with a document highlighting the specific language similarities and differences between our proposals. We are now awaiting the City’s response pending review of this document, and scheduling of our next bargaining date.

The membership should keep in mind that both parties are taking the position that until an entire agreement has been reached, either side may modify, amend or withdraw any of its proposals. While it is accurate to say that most of the main issues remain unresolved, progress on some of the smaller issues is noted. Given the complex nature of the bargaining and the fact that this is a first collective bargaining agreement with the City, members should expect that we’re going to have a tough fight ahead on our most
important proposals. Although our goal is always to share with you as much information as possible, I trust that you also will be sensitive to the strategic need for certain details not to be discussed publicly and to remain within the confines of the Negotiating Committee.

In an effort to keep you as informed as possible, the UFT will host a meeting open to the whole ALJ membership this September. Negotiating Committee members and UFT representatives will be present to address your questions and discuss the issues that are on your mind. Specific information on this meeting will be mailed to you later in the summer.

On other fronts, legislation accomplishing a transfer of ECB from DEP to OATH is now working its way through the City Council. Prior to the vote and during the committee hearing process, the UFT sent a letter setting forth some concerns. A copy of that letter is enclosed.

We look forward to having a more in depth conversation with you soon and encourage you to bring any questions to the UFT event now being planned for September. In the interim, you may always feel free to speak with any of the members of the Negotiating Committee listed on the first page of this letter, or you can also contact Ilene Weinerman, Special Representative at the UFT Brooklyn Office (718-722-6902 or iweinerman@uft.org). Information can also be found on the ALJ chapter blog, the address of which is http://newyorkcityaljs.blogspot.com. Also, as a reminder, if you have moved during the last few months, please contact Ilene with your new address to be certain you receive all of the mailings from our office.

I thank you again for your support of our efforts, and hope you will have a pleasant and relaxing remainder to your summer.

Sincerely,
Howard Schoor
Brooklyn Borough Representative