The leadership of the Sheriff Officers Association (ShOA), the union representing more than 1,100 correction officers in Nassau County, is pleased to announce that on April 7 the Nassau County Legislature voted unanimously, 19 to 0, to ratify a new eight-year contract with the union. The contract, negotiated with the county, was voted on and strongly supported by union members March 14.

"The executive board and the board of governors of the Sheriff Officers Association are pleased that the county legislature demonstrated bipartisan support for Nassau County's Correction Officers. The ratification of this contract brings to an end a more than three-year period where we were working without a contract. This new and fair contract is in line with contracts the county has with other law enforcement unions. It will ensure Correction Officers receive appropriate wages for the service they provide to taxpayers until 2012," said ShOA President Michael F. Adams.

The contract ratified by the legislature includes wage increases for correction officers through 2012, including retroactive increases going back to the year 2005. This contract protects health coverage and will help to ensure the safety of correction officers working at the maximum security Nassau County Correctional Facility located in East Meadow.

"Starting with a tough negotiation with the county where both sides made concessions, to the final approval by the legislature this has been a long and arduous process," said Adams. "The board of governors of the Sheriff Officers Association would like to thank the public and our membership for their support and continued commitment to protecting the public. We look forward to working with the administration and the legislature on other matters and issues that impact the ability of correction officers to do an extremely difficult and dangerous job."

The Nassau County Sheriff Officers Association was established on April 28, 1999 and is the certified union for all Nassau County Correction Officers and Supervisory ranks. The union has more than 1,100 members who work in the maximum security Nassau County Correctional Center. For more information about ShOA visit www.ncshoa.com.