Floral Park, CSEA Finally Agree on Six-year Contract

By Carisa Keane

After almost two years of negotiating, the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and the Village of Floral Park's negotiating team have finally agreed on a six-year contract for more than 100 employees working for the village, including clerks, librarians, dispatchers, mechanics, cleaners, mechanical equipment operators and crossing guards. The budget, according to Floral Park Mayor Phil Guarnieri, reflects increases for two prior years as well as new wages applicable June 1, 2006.

Mayor Phil Guarnieri and CSEA President Steve Cuomo shake hands on the settlement of the new six-year CSEA contract. Pictured with Cuomo and the mayor are John Shepherd, president of CSEA Local 882 AFSCME, Trustee Jim Rhatigan, Matt Bayer, vice president of CSEA Unit 7564 AFSCME, Cuomo, president of CSEA Unit 7564 AFSCME, Mayor Guarnieri, Deputy Mayor Kevin Greene and Trustees Tom Tweedy and Gerry Bambrick.

CSEA Village of Floral Park Unit President Steven Cuomo, who told the Dispatch he's glad it's all over, said, "It gives us a little stability. Hopefully, it was a two-way street as far as the village getting some flexibility now that they can hire and with us, financially, it's bringing some guys up to where they should have been."

Mayor Guarnieri added, "Bargaining can be tough going and when emotions were frayed I continually encouraged our negotiating team to stick with it and keep discussions with the CSEA green and alive ... I know our workforce; I respect their quality and felt strongly that the contract on the table was well crafted to protect everyone's interests. I'm deeply gratified that both the village and its employees, after a spirited but healthy exchange of ideas, forged a long-term contract."

The two parties began talks back in April 2004; CSEA and management had been at odds over a series of financial- and work-related issues. Negotiations reached a resounding stalemate in February 2005 and the union declared an impasse over the dispute.

CSEA officials hoped the intervention of a neutral third party would have brought both sides to a fair agreement last year. The formal declaration of impasse moved the negotiating process to mediation, where a Public Employment Relations Board (PERB)-appointed neutral mediator met with both parties in an attempt to reach a compromise.

Then last March, CSEA union workers protested - demanding better wages - outside the Department of Public Works building during a candidates' forum just weeks before the 2005 village election. Approximately 30 employees, who had been working without a contract since May 31, 2004, chanted, "We want our money. That's what we want!"

Mayor Guarnieri thanked the village's negotiating team - Deputy Mayor Kevin Greene, Village Administrator Ginny Appel and Village Attorney John Ryan - for their "tireless efforts to secure an agreement."