Oneida County and public service employees union reach collective bargaining agreement

UTICA, N.Y. — After six weeks of negotiations, Oneida County and the United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU) Blue Collar Unit reached a collective bargaining agreement that includes salary increases for new and existing employees.

The UPSEU Blue Collar Unit represents employees in public works, water quality, water pollution control, Griffiss International Airport, Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) buildings and grounds, and MVCC public safety.

“I thank the UPSEU leadership for coming to the table with our team early and getting a fair and equitable deal done in such quick and efficient manner,” County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said in a release. “The county employees represented by the union are a valuable workforce that maintains our infrastructure and ensures public safety. I believe this agreement will help to retain these dedicated workers and recruit new ones.”

The five-year agreement runs from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2028.

The contract includes a new salary schedule for the entire unit that raises starting salaries as well as salaries at various steps, longevity increases, shift-differential increases in the majority of departments. The pact also offers enhanced salary provisions for promotions, and $5,000-per-year incentive payments for employees holding and utilizing specialized licenses such as CDL A licenses, professional engineer and land-surveyor licenses, and certified motor-vehicle inspector licenses.

Negotiations began Aug. 29 and concluded on Oct. 10. Amanda Cortese-Kolasz, commissioner of personnel; Thomas Keeler, budget director; Matthew Baisley, commissioner of public works; Alfred Barbato, purchasing director; and Crystal Marceau, MVCC executive director of human resources negotiated on behalf of the county. UPSEU’s negotiators included Cary Hickey, UPSEU executive VP/regional director; Tim Cottrell, UPSEU labor relations representative; Mike Wakefield; Jarett Carpenter; Steven Jeffers; Frederick Wehrenberg; and Robert Miller.

The agreement next goes before the UPSEU full membership for a ratification vote. If ratified by membership, Picente will present it to the MVCC board of trustees and county board of legislators for a ratification vote.