They’d love a new deal.
That was the message from unionized City Council staffers Tuesday as they rallied at City Hall for a new contract on the eve before a critical bargaining session with city representatives.
The rally took on an early Valentine’s Day theme, as members of the Association of Legislative Employees gathered on the City Hall steps and handed out roses to their supporters in attendance, including Brooklyn City Council Members Sandy Nurse and Shahana Hanif.
The way ALE President Dan Kroop sees it, Wednesday’s sit-down with City Hall could be the culmination of four years of organizing and bargaining for a labor deal that improves staffers’ standards of living.
“Today, our message is: Seal the deal tomorrow at the bargaining table. Show ALE some love this Valentine’s Day,” Kroop said. “We’ve put forward a reasonable compromise that meets the parties’ needs. So respect your staff, show the mayor, show the private sector, show the country that the NYC Council supports labor by walking the walk — not just talking the talk.”
Kroop said the ALE’s compromise deal would put an end to “poverty wages and at-will employment,” which he believes has contributed to high employee turnover among the thousands of legislative staff positions in the City Council.
According to the ALE, their proposal would set a minimum annual salary for all Council member aides at $55,000 to start, rising to $58,500 in August 2025, and would include a retroactive pay increase of 16.21% over 5 1/2 years dating back to August 2021. Unionized aides would also stand to receive a $3,000 bonus for ratifying the contract deal.
The ALE’s deal would also establish a disciplinary grievance procedure, including independent arbitration — something that would be “a national first for legislative aides.” It would also create a comp time program to offset overtime hours worked, including providing staff 2 1/2 to 3 weeks of additional paid time off.
Council Member Nurse said the deal was one Council aides deserve for keeping the city’s legislative body running.
“There is just no way any of us could do any of our jobs without you. Without you, it just doesn’t work,” Nurse said. “It’s only the right thing to do that we come to the table, we get you guys a fair contract, we get the wages you need, we get the working conditions you need.”
Hanif, a former Council staffer herself, said she “lived through some of the atrocities” of the job, and noted that she is eager to help her current unionized staff and future generations of Council aides achieve a proper standard of living.
“What you all have done is say, ‘We all love our city. We love the communities that deserve justice. We are fighters for economic, social equity,'” Hanif said. “Keep up the fight, keep us included in the fight. We love you.”
When reached for comment, a City Council spokesperson issued a statement: “The Council continues to negotiate with the ALE in good faith at the bargaining table, not through the media.”
Meanwhile, the ALE received the backing of the city’s fiscal watchdog — City Comptroller Brad Lander, a former City Council member — in their push for a labor deal.
“The comptroller’s office plays a critical role in enforcing workplace laws and expanding labor rights to New Yorkers,” Lander said. “I’ve been proud to stand in solidarity with City Council staff for years, and hope they achieve success on this historic first contract.”
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