For More Information:

William R. Steinhaus
Dutchess County Executive
(845) 486-2000 countyexec@co.dutchess.ny.us

For Immediate Release

December 19, 2002

County and DCSEA-CWA Negotiators Reach Agreement on Four Year Pact

Poughkeepsie. . . Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus announced today that the County and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Employees Association, affiliated with the Communications Workers of America (DCSEA-CWA), have reached agreement on a new labor agreement.  The four-year pact runs retroactively from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2004.  It covers approximately 280 employees, comprised of Correction Officers, maintenance and support staff at the County Jail, and Sheriff support staff.  Dutchess County already has agreements in place with its 106 members Police Benevolent Association for the period from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2004 and with the 1,310 member Civil Service Employees Association from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2004. 

Once ratified by the union membership and approved by the County Legislature, the new agreement will provide employees with cost-of-living increases of 2% in 2001, 2% in 2002, 3% in 2003, and 3% in 2004.  In addition, the settlement includes adjustments to employee health plans designed to maintain affordable health care coverage for county employees while still providing fiscal control over escalating health care costs for both the employer and the employee.  Civilian members of the bargaining unit will also be allowed to participate in the state’s early retirement benefit enhancement program, which runs through the end of the current year. 

County Executive Steinhaus commented, “This agreement, reached in very difficult and uncertain economic times is fair to both the employees and to the taxpayers of the county.  The negotiating teams worked hard to reach agreement and they are to be commended.  I also want to acknowledge the critically important role Sheriff Anderson played working with me over the past few days helping to reach the final agreement.”  Sheriff Adrian “Butch” Anderson said, “Both County Executive Steinhaus and I have the utmost respect for the outstanding service the men and women of this unit provide each and every day.