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Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and the Uniformed Forces Coalition, led by Norman Seabrook, today announced a tentative settlement, subject to ratification, on an overall economic agreement covering approximately 45,000 uniformed City employees. The contract includes an historic performance based compensation program that allows for additional compensation for outstanding or exemplary performance by an employee.

The Mayor said, "We are pleased to have reached a successful settlement that recognizes the excellent work and diligence of the members of the City's Uniformed Services. Without their unwavering dedication to duty, their commitment to facing every challenge, and their resolute approach to performing their jobs in a professional manner, the City of New York would not have attained its pre-eminent place among the world's largest, safest and cleanest cities."

"Day-in and day-out, the members of the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Sanitation Department and the Correction Department provide exemplary services under extraordinary conditions," said Norman Seabrook, President of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association. "The Mayor has always been supportive of our aims to garner the recognition and the remuneration we deserve. This agreement reflects that level of support and shows our members that the City truly appreciates the work we do."

The Uniformed Forces Coalition comprises the following groups:

Police Department:

Detectives Endowment Association --Thomas J. Scotto, President and Co--Chairperson
Sergeants Benevolent Association -- Bernard Pound, President and Co--Chairperson
Lieutenants Benevolent Association -- Anthony J. Garvey, President
Captains Endowment Association -- John F. Driscoll, President

Fire Department:

Uniformed Firefighters Association -- Kevin E. Gallagher, President and Co--Chairperson
Uniformed Fire Officers Association -- Peter Gorman, President
Marine Engineers Beneficial Association -- James LaRiviere

Correction Department:

Correction Officers Benevolent Association -- Norman Seabrook, President and Chairperson
Correction Captains Association -- Peter D. Meringolo, President
Assistant Deputy Wardens/Deputy Wardens Association -- Sidney Schwartzbaum, President

Sanitation Department:

Uniformed Sanitationmen's Association -- Peter Scarlatos, President and Co--Chairperson
Uniformed Sanitation Officers Association -- Joseph Mannion, President
Uniformed Sanitation Chiefs Association -- Peter Kelly, President

The settlement, referred to as the "2000 -- 2003 Uniformed Forces Coalition Economic Agreement," is a two-year contract with two (2) three-month extensions covering a total period of thirty (30) months.

The principal features of this agreement include:

Mayor Giuliani also announced that the City will establish and implement Performance Compensation Program. Under the Program, which will include additional compensation for service of an outstanding, exceptional nature, the City will notify the respective Unions of its intent to pay such additional compensation and will tailor performance compensation to each agency's unique mission.

Mayor Giuliani said that this "2000 -- 2003 Uniformed Forces Coalition Economic Agreement" will also serve as the catalyst to effectuate several recent innovations and enhancements in pensions and health benefits arrived at through collective bargaining with the Municipal Labor Committee. Several pension and benefit improvements are scheduled to be implemented upon the ratification of this agreement.

The City and the Municipal Labor Committee worked together to reach historic results in both pension and health benefit areas in May 2000 and January 2001, respectively. The pension agreement saved the City $800 Million due to the pension restart, and the health agreement saved more than $360 Million in FY2003 and FY2004. The benefits from both pension and health deals will take place upon the ratification of this agreement.

The total value of the settlement, including wage increases and the special fund, is approximately $500 Million in City funds for the entire Coalition of Uniformed Unions.

Mayor Giuliani said, "In arriving at this Coalition Agreement, the City's commitment to attain fiscally responsible settlements has been coupled with the Unions' aim to achieve fair treatment and compensation for their members. This broad-based economic agreement will provide much-deserved wage increases and other benefits for the members of the City's Uniformed Forces."

Mayor Giuliani recognized the members of the Uniformed Forces for their unfailing contributions to the City and their dedication to the health, welfare and safety of the public, and remarked on his appreciation of this diverse workforce.

The Mayor thanked Deputy Mayor Robert M. Harding; the members of the Uniformed Forces Coalition; Labor Commissioner James F. Hanley and his team; and Adam Barsky, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and his staff, for all of their efforts in reaching this Agreement.

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