Dear COBA Members;

See attached below, detailed Fact Sheets that explain exactly what is covered in the Memorandum of Understanding between COBA and the County.

These pages include:

• Contract Gains (2 Pages)
• Concessions
• Immediate Impact (Increases) to your Base Compensation
• Impact to your Base Compensation at Contract's End
• Impact to your Overtime Rates (Increases). Both immediate and at Contract's End
• NIFA/County Concession Demands that COBA Refused to Concede.
• Built in Protections, including a "Reopener Clause" with all other County Unions, NIFA Freeze Protection, Single Payer Health Care Protection, and a Dispute Resolution Clause.
• Contract Comparisons. This sheet shows a direct comparison to our Brother and Sister Correction Departments in both Suffolk and Westchester Counties where you will see marked differences between our pay and benefit levels.  

Again, I urge all of you to please READ ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS and formulate your own opinions on this contract. Don't listen to rumors of what someone thinks is in the contract, or what someone says they "heard". Everything you need to understand what is in this contract is right here for you to study. Bring any and all questions or concerns to the General Membership Meetings where we will go over everything together.

COBA"s negotiating Committee has worked very hard on this contract for the better part of 3 years, not just with 2 County Administrations but under the thumb of a State appointed Control Board that controls all the County's finances. Your COBA negotiators fully support this contract and Your Board of Governors has voted to submit it to you for Your ratification. Rumors have no place in this.

After a long and arduous negotiation, I urge all COBA Members to read, understand, ask questions, then ultimately vote in favor of this agreement.

Sincerely

Brian Sullivan, COBA President