In another big win for the union, District Council 37 and New York State agreed on a three-year contract for Local 1359 Rent Regulation Services Employees. On Feb. 1, members voted overwhelmingly in favor of the contract, which runs from April 2, 2023, to April 1, 2026.

The agreement covers 316 workers at the New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal who assist in administrating New York City’s rent control and stabilization laws. They include Accountants, Housing and Committee Renewal Specialists, Rent Examiners, Rental inspectors, Secretaries, and Office Assistants.

“We’re proud to have negotiated this agreement for our Rent Regulation Services Unit members,” said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. “These workers make critical efforts to protect New Yorkers from harmful housing practices. We’re grateful to Gov. Hochul for her partnership in this negotiation and commitment to housing affordability, impacting all working families.”

The new contract includes compounded annual 3% salary increases, retro pay, up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave, increases in location pay, and changes in health benefits consistent with other recently settled contracts.

“It’s one of the best contracts that we have had for a long time, and we are very excited to ratify it,” said Local 1359 President Dennis Ifill, who also serves on the DC 37 Executive Board. “Now that we have our longevity and service awards and the $3,000 ratification pay, we’re very happy.

“Before, once our members were promoted, they had to start all over again. With this new contract, it doesn’t matter how many promotions you receive; as long as you reach 12 years of service, you receive a total of $1,500,” Ifill said. “For 17 years of service, you will get $3,000, and for 22 years, you will get $4,500.”

Negotiations ran smoothly thanks to the focused work of the union’s negotiating team, including DC 37 Research and Negotiations Assistant Director Stacey Payton, a former employee of the agency.
“I spent 30 years at that agency,” Payton said. “Having the opportunity to be their lead negotiator was special. It was euphoric, and I understand the contract because I lived under it for so long.”

Payton added that the agency instituted a pilot telework program in 2018, long before the pandemic. Currently, many members are working a compressed work schedule.

“The only issue was around telework. We finally got them to agree to a side letter that said our telecommuting program would continue until we negotiate and reconfigure the program,” Payton said.

Local 1359 is the only local in the union whose members are wholly state employees. The agency has offices in White Plains, the Bronx, upper Manhattan, lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.

As employees of a state agency, those who live downstate receive a differential similar to the COLA available to upstate employees to cover the expenses of living in the New York City area.

Other benefits Local 1359 members receive include an employee development and training fund and a productivity enhancement program, which is essential because state employees pay premiums for their health insurance. The program allows them to offset the cost of these premiums.

The contract is subject to final approval by the New York State Legislature.