An AFL-CIO local representing 800 caseworkers and other employees of six welfare agency affiliates of the New York Federation of Jewish Philanthropies reported today it had served notice of termination of contract with the agencies.
The spokesman for Community and Social Agency Employees Union, local 1707 said that under the notice, the contract will be terminated February 16 and the local would then be free to strike against the six agencies–Altro Health and Rehabilitation Services, the Jewish Board of Guardians, Jewish Child Care Association, Jewish Community Services of Long Island, Jewish Family Service and the Louise Wise Services.
A spokesman for the Federation said that while the affected agencies are affiliates, the Federation is not involved in the contract dispute. He said that negotiations are conducted by the union with a negotiating committee representing the six agencies and that contracts are between the union and the agencies and not with the Federation.
A spokesman for the union reported that the union had reduced its demands and that these now were for a $5,700 to $10,000 annual scale for caseworkers; $60 weekly minimum pay in all non-professional categories; a $12 weekly increase for homemakers, nurses, maintenance, cottage parents and related categories; and reduction of the work week. Other demands are for a union shop, welfare benefits, particularly better pensions, and settlement of grievances about transfers, workloads and promotions.
UNION SIGNS NEW CONTRACT WITH AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE
The union spokesman also reported that a new contract with the American Jewish Committee provided gains in union security, severance pay, supper money payments, leaves, welfare benefits, salaries and other areas. Under the contract, the rate of severance pay was increased from one week of service to two weeks per year.
The contract provides, for the first time, that on the death of an employee, the beneficiary will receive one-half of the severance pay accrued to the dead employee, an addition to the payments from the group life insurance policy in the American Jewish Committee.
The contract also provides that employees after 20 years of service will be entitled to receive one-half of their accumulated severance pay, in addition to vested pension benefits. The principle of a sabbatical leave after 20 years of service has also been recognized in the new contract with the American Jewish Committee, the union said.
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