Cost of Living Increase (COLA) Update
As many of you are aware, Governor Cuomo approved the retroactive disbursement of the 2020 cost of living adjustments to New York State workers. This is about the CSEA contract with New York State which is a separate contract than that of Local 698. Management has not yet reached out to Local 698 President Liz Moran regarding the disbursement of funds to CSEA represented employees at DASNY.
The arbitration hearing scheduled for March 9, 2021 was postponed to May by request of management. DASNY CEO Reuben McDaniel has been following Governor Cuomo’s steps with responses to the COVID crisis including withholding of salary increases which is clearly a violation of contractual obligations. That said, I anticipate connecting with management in the coming days to understand what their position is for retroactive COLA issuance to you.
At this time, arbitration is scheduled for May 5, 2021. We anticipate a quick hearing in which we will prevail. As a reminder we are looking for the following:
- Payment of the 2% COLA, retroactive to April 1, 2020, for all active CSEA represented employees.
- Payment of the 2% COLA, retroactive to April 1, 2020, for all CSEA represented employees who separated from DASNY between April 1, 2020 to date. Separation includes retirement, willful separation, or unwilful separation.
- Communication to NYS Retirement to update final average salary for CSEA represented employees who retired since April 1, 2021 to include the 2% increase.
The hearing may be canceled if management chooses to satisfy our demands, as listed above, prior to the arbitration hearing date. You will receive further updates as soon as the situation changes for CSEA represented employees at DASNY.