Barnard,
Local 264 of Transit Workers Union of America, approve
new, three-year contract with 3 percent across-the-board
wage hike
March 3, 2000, NEW
YORK, N.Y. - Barnard College and representatives
of Local 264 of the Transport Workers Union of America
have approved a new three-year contract for the
ninety-four members of the union representing maintenance,
housekeeping and security employees of the College.
The
contract, which will be forwarded to the Barnard
Board of Trustees for their approval, calls for
a 3 percent, across-the-board annual wage increase,
paid retroactively, for TWU members between Oct.
1, 1999, and Oct. 30, 2002.
"This
is a fair agreement which preserves the highly competitive
wage and benefit levels of the College's housekeeping,
maintenance and facilities employees, and it is
consistent with recent labor agreements reached
with other unions at Barnard and in the larger Columbia
University community," said Michael Feierman,
the College's general counsel.
Orton
Reynolds, President of Local 264 said: "Without
a doubt, I agree with Michael's assessment of the
agreement reached between TWU and Barnard College.
We continue to move in a positive direction regarding
the areas of wages and benefits and working conditions
within the Barnard community."
The
contract includes a number of items requested by
TWU including: first-time payments for longevity
of $150 for five years, $300 for 10 years, and $450
for 15 years; improved tuition benefits (increased
by $250 per year in the second and third year of
the contract); and improved child care benefits
(increasing by $1,000 in each of the contract years.)
The pact also includes a phase-in of the new wages
for new hires over four years, an item requested
by the College to help the College fund the new
benefits. In the first year of the contract, a new
employee will earn 80 percent of the new wage scale,
in the second year 85 percent, in the third year
90 percent, and in the fourth year, 100 percent.
Contact: Lucas Held 212-854-7583