STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- First came the teachers' contract, then one for principals, and now, the folks who really turn up the heat in the city's public schools have a new contract. The city has reached a $207 million contract agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 891, which represents school custodians and building engineers in the public...
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- First came the teachers' contract, then one for principals, and now, the folks who really turn up the heat in the city's public schools have a new contract.
The city has reached a $207 million contract agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 891, which represents school custodians and building engineers in the public schools -- including those who manage the heating system in each school.
Under the terms of the nine-year contract, the city will give raises of 18 percent and bonuses of $1,000 to nearly 2,000 people who work behind-the-scenes to manage manage upkeep and repairs in every city school building.
Average salaries for custodians overseeing entire school buildings will rise from $106,329 to $126,973 by 2016. Building engineers, who make an average of $43,660, will earn $52,138 by 2016.
The cost of the agreement will be covered under the current city budget.
The contract for custodians is the third labor agreement reached for school employees.
In June the city reached an agreement with the United Federation of Teachers that gives members an 18 percent pay raise, including full retroactive pay.
Last month the city also reached an agreement with the Council of Supervisors and Administrators -- the union representing principals and administrators -- that would increase wages in increments through 2019, and give members retroactive raises for the years 2010 through 2012, when they worked without a contract.