The New York City District Council of Carpenters’ Delegate Body ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement last week that provides a 16.6% wage and benefit increase over the life of the contract.
“Passing this agreement helps stabilize the unionized construction industry after a long and arduous process,” said Michael Bilello, executive secretary treasurer of the New York City District Council of Carpenters.
“This contract will increase pay and benefits as well as grow the type of jobs New Yorkers need.”
Under the new agreement between the District Council (DC) and the Association of Wall, Ceiling & Carpentry Industries of New York (Wall & Ceiling Association), the largest employer association in the DC, members will see a $6.93 per hour increase in their wage and benefit package within the first three months of implementation and another $7.20 per hour bump within the next three years.
In 2012, the Wall & Ceiling Association provided approximately 5.8 million work hours for members. Those hours are projected to increase due to the negotiated terms and conditions ratified in the new contract. The wage and benefit package will also rise to $99.16 per hour on July 1, 2016, which is the beginning of the final year of the contract. That’s nearly a 17% increase from its current level of $85.03 an hour.
In addition, through increased hourly contributions, the ratified agreement will safe-guard the District Council’s Health and Welfare funds, which are vital to active and retired members and their dependents. The Delegate Body had earlier voted to allocate the first $2.59 of the impending raises to the District Council Welfare Fund for medical and hospitalization coverage.
