CUNY ALLIANCE           

The bare-bones numbers on our salary erosion from 2000-2008

In an earlier missive, the CUNY ALLIANCE noted that our salaries have not kept pace with inflation. (Click here) Barbara Bowen's New Caucus denies these claims.

Let the record speak for itself.

We present here the straightforward calculation that conclusively proves that the increase in our base salaries from 2000-2008 falls short of the cost of living increase by 4.3%.

Our base salary increases from 2000-2008

Barbra Bowen's New Caucus negotiated three contract agreements (collectively covering the years 2000-2010) that provide for the following salary increases:

Contract #1: August 1, 2000 through October 31, 2002 (Link to Clarion)

Effective August 1, 2000: 4%
Effective August 1, 2001: 4%

Contract #2: November 1, 2002 through September 19, 2007 (See 2002/07 Contract Terms)

For 2002: no raise
For 2003: no raise
Effective May 1, 2004: 2.5%
Effective May 1, 2005: 2.75%

Contract #3: September 20, 2007 through October 19, 2010 (See 2007/10 Contract Terms)

Effective May 1, 2006: 3%
Effective September 20, 2007: 3.15%
Effective October 6, 2008: 3%
Effective October 20, 2009: 4%

Calculating our compounded base salary increase from 2000-2008

Our compounded salary increase can be calculated by multiplying all of the salary figures. Thus, the compounded increase in our base salary for August 2000 through October 2008 (i.e., covering the first two New Caucus contracts and the only complete contract year for the last contract) is 21.0% (i.e., 1.04 x 1.04 x 1.025 x 1.0275 x 1.03 x 1.0315 = 1.21).

Calculating the cost of living increase from 2000-2008

As any online inflation calculator will demonstrate, the cost of living increase for August 2000 through October 2008 was 25.33%.

Conclusion: our base salary increases from 2000-2008 did not keep pace with inflation

These numbers could not be clearer. Our compounded increase in base pay from 2000 to 2008 was 21.0%, far short of the 25.33% cost of living increase over that period – a loss of 4.33% in real purchasing power.

The solution: elect leaders who put union business first

The CUNY ALLIANCE believes that Barbara Bowen's New Caucus negotiated bad contracts because of their unrelenting focus on global politics to the detriment of union business. Our focus will be different:

We believe that union leaders should focus on protecting our rights in job-related matters, like wages, benefits, job security and working conditions.

We can't afford to re-elect the same New Caucus administration that focuses on global politics, while our salaries shrink.

It's time for CHANGE at the PSC
HAVE THE COURAGE TO CHANGE THE PARADIGM

Vote CUNY ALLIANCE
for
PAYCHECK JUSTICE

CUNY ALLIANCE thanks you for your support

President: Frederick Brodzinski

First Vice-President: James Blake

Secretary: Thea Pignataro

Treasurer: Rina Yarmish

To contact us via email write to: ca@cunyalliance.org
www.CUNYALLIANCE.ORG