Dutchess County, CSEA Agree on 4-Year Contract
Pact Delivers Meaningful Cost-of-Living Raises for CSEA Employees

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY … Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) announced today they have finalized a four-year collective bargaining agreement, completing the County’s negotiations with the largest of its four labor unions. The contract is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025 and will remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2028, providing stability for County employees. Pending a vote by CSEA membership to accept the agreement, the Dutchess County Legislature will consider the contract for adoption at its May 11 board meeting.

Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “This agreement is good news for our employees and the residents we serve every day. It prioritizes our lowest-paid workers with the largest percentage increases for those earning the least, helps us compete in the local job market, and ensures we can retain the staff our residents depend on. I am thankful to CSEA President Andrew Calamari and his team for negotiating in good faith, as well as all of the members of the CSEA who are on the front lines everyday serving our community.”

CSEA President Andrew Calamari said, “We’re proud to have reached an agreement that reflects the value of the hardworking CSEA members who keep County services running every day. This contract provides fair wages and benefits for our workforce, and we appreciate the County’s willingness to work collaboratively throughout the process. Our members are pleased to see it finalized.”

The new contract includes wage increases each year of the contract, including flat dollar or percentage based raises in the first two years of the agreement; the elimination of the lowest job grade to remain competitive in the job market; and retroactive pay for eligible employees. The wage increases are as follows:

• $2,250 or 3.25% whichever is greater for 2025
• $2,000 or 3.25% whichever is greater in 2026
• 3.25% Cost of Living Increase (COLA) in 2027
• 3.25% COLA in 2028

The agreement also includes a series of updates that modernize County employment policies, including:

• Clarified and updated provisions for overtime, emergency call back, holiday work, longevity and on call compensation;
• Adjustments to vacation accrual caps, beginning in 2027;
• Elimination of the County contribution to New York State paid family leave premium; 
• Updated health insurance contribution rules for surviving spouses of employees hired or re-hired after Jan 1, 2026;
• Increases to tuition reimbursement program and employee fitness program funding beginning in 2026;
• Sunset of COVID 19 related leave provisions in alignment with state law; and
• Implementation framework for a countywide Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) update, including resolution of past overtime calculations.

County Executive Serino said, “These updates make our policies clearer, fairer and more up to date for everyone. They standardize how we handle overtime, leave time, benefits and workplace flexibility, ensuring our policies reflect today’s needs. By modernizing these areas and resolving past issues, we’re supporting our employees, improving consistency across departments and building a stronger foundation for the future.”

Once the contract is approved by the Dutchess County Legislature, the County will implement the new provisions, including updates to pay and benefits, as described in the agreement.

Under County Executive Serino’s administration, agreements have been reached with the Dutchess County Police Benevolent Association and the Dutchess Staff Association; negotiations have begun between the County and the Dutchess County Sheriff's Employee Association.