East Meadow, New York (June 18, 2014)- “Having completed a lengthy and often complicated negotiation process with Nassau County, and having addressed NIFA’s questions regarding the Contract, I am pleased to announce that the COBA Board of Governors voted unanimously today to accept the signed Memorandum of Agreement and Stipulation of Settlement, which is one of the last steps towards finally lifting the wage freeze that has been imposed on Nassau County Correction Officers since March of 2011. This vote by the Board enables the Agreement to be sent to the COBA membership for their ratification vote on June 27th.  I am confident that our members will ratify this new contract that provides over a 13.36% compounded wage increase over the next three and a half years.  Our newer members who have been unjustly frozen in the lower starting steps since March 2011 also receive additional step increases over the term of the agreement. If ratified by the COBA membership on June 27th, the contract will then go to the County Legislature for their ratification and then to NIFA for final approval.  Thanks to the unwavering support and solidarity of our members during this difficult process, we were able to achieve the best possible deal during one of the most challenging economic times in Nassau County.”

-- John Jaronczyk, Nassau COBA President

Below is a summary of the terms of the new agreement:

COBA Summary - Terms of Memorandum of Agreement
June 1, 2014 – December 31, 2017

Raises:
3.50% - June 1, 2014
3.75% - September 1, 2015
3.50% - September 1, 2016
2.00% - July 1, 2017
   
Step Movement:
June 1, 2014 - All eligible COBA members move up one step
December 1, 2014 - All eligible COBA members move up one step
June 1, 2015 - All eligible COBA members move up one step
December 1, 2015 - All eligible COBA members move up one step
Anniversary Date 2016 - All eligible COBA members move up one step on their anniversary date of hire
Anniversary Date 2017 - All eligible COBA members move up one step on their anniversary date of hire
   
All remaining COBA members are on schedule to reach top pay after completing 11 years of service.  
   
Costs to the Union
In any negotiation process, there are always some certain terms and conditions that are amended to help offset the cost of the salary increases. This agreement includes:

•  New Hire Salary Schedule- as described in attachment “B” of the MOA.

•  New Hire Health Benefits – All new hires shall have the choice to pay 15% of the cost of the Empire Plan health insurance premium, or pay no contributions to a less costly, alternative plan.

•  Uniform Maintenance & Education Pay ($925) - deferred from 2011. It was due to be paid January 2015, but will now be deferred until separation of County service.

•  No Longer Accruing Blood Days

•  Reduction in Vacation Leave Slots -as started during the 2014 vacation selection process.

•  Reduced Treatment leave for 207c/Workers Comp. for term of agreement.

•  Expedited Hearing Officer Procedure for 207c Return to Duty Disputes

•  Course Reimbursement - No course reimbursement for years 2015, 2016, and 2017

•  Alternative Work Schedule for COBA members

•  Withdrawing of BMU Sergeant Time Off PERB charge

•  Disposition of Pending Litigation –COBA withdraws FOIL request lawsuit and waives any entitlement to attorney fees and costs, and the County waives its entitlement to costs in two Supreme Court decisions.