County government and the Civil Service Employees Association have reached a five-year contract agreement, marking the final collective bargaining agreement among the county’s four major unions.
CSEA membership overwhelmingly approved the contract in a vote, solidifying a long-term agreement that Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne said benefits both county employees and taxpayers.
The contract is retroactive to January 2024 and will expire in December of 2028. It includes a 2.75 percent or $1,850 (whichever is higher) yearly salary increase for each step, with the final year increasing to 3 percent.
“This is a landmark moment for Putnam County,” said Byrne. “This latest contract with CSEA is a win-win, ensuring stability for employees and continuity in the delivery of county services. It may have taken longer than we all wanted, but we have an agreement that reflects our commitment to supporting the dedicated public servants who keep Putnam County running while also being fiscally responsible to our taxpayers.
CSEA President Linda Amicucci praised the contract’s approval.
“This agreement ensures that our members receive the fair wages and benefits they deserve while maintaining the high level of service we provide to residents of Putnam County,” she said. “We appreciate the county’s willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations, and we are pleased to have a contract that protects our workforce and recognizes their dedication.”
The contract was approved by the County Legislature’s Personnel Committee last week, and once approved by the full Legislature in March, all Putnam employees will be working under contract at the same time.
The administration had previously reached agreements with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Police Benevolent Association, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Employees Association, and the Putnam Management Association.
“Upon taking office, we inherited four contracts that were either expiring or expired, and in two years we resolved them all,” said Byrne. “Our county employees are now fully under contract, providing a sense of certainty and fairness for our workforce. When I first announced my decision to run for county executive, many doubted we’d ever be able to get contracts for all of our unions in a such short time, but we were committed to making it a reality and got it done.”
Personnel Director Paul Eldridge emphasized the significance of the agreement.
“Negotiating four successful labor agreements over the past 18 months required an ongoing commitment from all parties involved,” he said. “The dedication and professionalism demonstrated by each of the union negotiating teams and the county team led to reaching fair agreements for our county employees. Having County Executive Byrne involved throughout the process set a clear signal to our employees of the importance of achieving equitable agreements.”