At Thursday’s session, the Erie County Legislature unanimously approved entering a collective bargaining agreement with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Teamsters Local Union No. 264, which represents the civilians, sergeants and deputy sheriffs who maintain the Erie County Holding Center.

The agreement runs from January 1^st 2019 through December 31^st 2023 and will grant civilian employees an additional $3,500 to their base pay, and a 2% annual increase for each year of the contract. The agreement will alsogive raises to sheriff deputies and sergeants assigned to the holding center, between 2.5% in 2020, 2.25% in 2021, and 2% in 2022 and 2023. Savings to Erie County include the Value health insurance plan becoming the base plan for all bargaining unit employees, and a contribution increase of 10% of the Core POS 203 premium to 15% of the Value POS 204 plan.

Legislator Joe Lorigo said, “I am pleased to see the county and Teamsters unit work together to negotiate a contract with such overwhelming support. I applaud both parties for executing a deal both in good faith and in a timely fashion.”

Legislator Lynne Dixon said, “This is a win-win for each the county, the sheriff’s office, and the taxpayer. Thank you to all who sat down to negotiate for the benefit of both parties.”

Legislator John Mills said, “Too often, employees are left without a contract for extended periods of time when both parties are unable to reach an agreement. I am encouraged to see the union and county work together in support of the men and women who keep our holding center up and running.”

Legislator Ed Rath said, “The men and women who maintain our holding center deserve a fair contract, and I am pleased to see the teamsters union reach an agreement with the county that works for all sides.”

More information on the agreement can be found here.