Nassau County Executive Laura Curran has announced that the new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the County and the Nassau County Superior Officers Association (SOA) has been approved by the Nassau County Legislature by a vote of 16 to three. This marks the second labor contract signed between Nassau County and one of its unions under County Executive Laura Curran and approved by the Legislature.
The new eight and one-half year contract ratified by the SOA membership is consistent with the agreement signed by the Nassau County Detectives Association in January. The term is from January 1, 2018 – June 30, 2026. All SOA members will receive raises annually beginning in 2020 of 2%; 2%; 2.5%; 2.5%; 3% and 3% over the term of the agreement in addition to a $1,000 lump sum payment covering two prior years and a $500 signing bonus.
SOA members will participate in the County’s body worn camera program and receive a stipend of $3,000 upon implementation, scheduled to begin by September 30, 2021. This is part of the County’s ongoing police reform initiative.
The fiscally responsible agreement, which respects the enormous financial stresses faced by the County will have a minimal cost for budget years 2018 through 2021. Thereafter, personnel expenses will increase by $6 million in 2022, $8 million in 2023, $11 million in 2024 and $14 million in 2025.
“I am pleased to announce the approval of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Nassau County Superior Officers Association (SOA) and the County. This new 8 ½ year contract covers 350 police supervisors in the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Inspector, Inspector, Deputy Chief and fits within the economic pattern of our earlier contract with the Detectives union,” said County Executive Laura Curran. “We must continue to build trust between communities and the dedicated members of our incredible police department. Body cameras have proven to be a valuable tool in promoting transparency, safety, and accountability and I am happy to have the SOA President Ricky Frassetti and his members on board with using cameras.”
“We are committed to continuing to work with the County, the Police Department, and the community toward delivering the highest quality police services. And our commitment to a successful body worn camera program is part of that,” said Ricky Frassetti, President the Nassau County Superior Officers Association.
“By enshrining a commitment to implement the use of police office body cameras, our agreement with the Superior Officers Association marks an important step forward in efforts to improve and reform policing in Nassau County,” Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton said. “Now that we have approved this contract, it is essential to secure passage of a Declaration of Need to re-finance Nassau County’s debt so we can secure our County’s financial future and provide our dedicated first responders and every Nassau County employee the fiscal stability they deserve and have earned.”
The new agreement will allow the supervisors to increase policing response in the county and enhance the police department’s community policing model.
While employed, all SOA members hired before 2014 will now be required to contribute 2% towards their healthcare benefits starting in 2021, increasing at 2.25% in 2022 and 2.5% in 2023. In addition, SOA members below the rank of deputy inspector will now work five additional tours per year.
The agreement will be submitted to the Nassau County Interim Financing Authority (NIFA) for approval.
