Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz issued the following statement pursuant to the ratification of a new contract that affects county employees at the Erie County Holding Center (“ECHC”) who are members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local #264. Local #264 represents approximately 525 guards, nurses, and administrative clerks and laborers at the ECHC. Among the main points of the new agreement are a 2% raise for these employees for 2017 and 2018 along with Local #264’s consent to allow the Erie County Sheriff’s Department (“ECSO”) to use part-time nurses in the Medical Unit, which will result in future savings for the county. The new agreement will be in effect through December 31, 2018.

Poloncarz statement: “I would like to thank the leadership and membership of Local #264, along with Commissioner of Labor Relations Steve Miller, for negotiating in good faith and agreeing to a contract that is fair for members and for the community at large. As in any negotiation, each side comes to the table with a list of things they would like, and while neither side ever gets everything they want, this agreement addresses several critical interests of both parties in the two-year agreement. It provides for raises in the base of 2% for years 2017 and 2018, as well as an increase in the shift differential. Additionally, Dispatchers will receive a one job upgrade due to the changes in their duties and responsibilities. Changes in contract language will provide relief on mandated overtime, bid swapping, and vacation sell back as well as increased options related to compensatory time. Changes related to Correctional Health staffing and kitchen facilities’ operations were also agreed to. This is a reasonable and solid agreement between the parties and I again thank all involved for guiding the process to a satisfactory conclusion.”