Members of the Association of Legislative Employees, the union representing City Council employees, gather on the steps of City Hall to rally for a fair contract on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
Photo by Paul Frangipane
They’d love a new deal.
That was the message from unionized City Council staffers Tuesday as they rallied at City Hall for a new contract on the eve before a critical bargaining session with city representatives.
The rally took on an early Valentine’s Day theme, as members of the Association of Legislative Employees gathered on the City Hall steps and handed out roses to their supporters in attendance, including Brooklyn City Council Members Sandy Nurse and Shahana Hanif.
The way ALE President Dan Kroop sees it, Wednesday’s sit-down with City Hall could be the culmination of four years of organizing and bargaining for a labor deal that improves staffers’ standards of living.
“Today, our message is: Seal the deal tomorrow at the bargaining table. Show ALE some love this Valentine’s Day,” Kroop said. “We’ve put forward a reasonable compromise that meets the parties’ needs. So respect your staff, show the mayor, show the private sector, show the country that the NYC Council supports labor by walking the walk — not just talking the talk.”
Kroop said the ALE’s compromise deal would put an end to “poverty wages and at-will employment,” which he believes has contributed to high employee turnover among the thousands of legislative staff positions in the City Council.
According to the ALE, their proposal would set a minimum annual salary for all Council member aides at $55,000 to start, rising to $58,500 in August 2025, and would include a retroactive pay increase of 16.21% over 5 1/2 years dating back to August 2021. Unionized aides would also stand to receive a $3,000 bonus for ratifying the contract deal.
The ALE’s deal would also establish a disciplinary grievance procedure, including independent arbitration —…
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