Sachem Support Staff Overwhelmingly Approve New Agreement

With over 91% of unit members voting to approve a new agreement, UPSEU members in the Operations, Maintenance, Grounds, Transportation, Food Service and Security unit will now be covered under a new agreement. The vote was 310 to 33. The unit joined UPSEU in 2008 after an election with the unit's previous association and the CSEA/AFSCME.

Annual wage increases, improved longevity, a new personal day for food service employees eliminated from eligibility eighteen years ago, and a sick day for security personnel who previously joined the unit just prior to the unit voting for UPSEU, highlighted the pact.

"Negotiations were difficult with the District who demanded a wage freeeze for one year of the contract, increased health contributions and no new benefits for employees in any of the sub-groups," stated UPSEU President Kevin E. Boyle, Jr. In the end, with the assistance of a New York State mediator and the resilience of the negotiating team, an agreement was reached that included no freeze, no health increases and new benefits for sub-groups. "We have much to do for the unit, but this is a significant important step that we will build on," Boyle concluded.

The team of Frank Morgan, Michael DeFontes, Lorraine Costantino, Lori Nicolazzi, Lorraine Long, Richard Hubbard, Wayne Wagner, Joe Borruso, Arlette Taborsky, Elizabeth Leonard, John Wyckoff, Jeffrey Patton, Michael Schimmoller, and Edward Barresi should be commended for their work ,which was reinforced by their co-workers overwhelming approval.