By:  Serach Nissim

New York City Mayor Eric Adams put an end to the longstanding contract negotiations, writing a new contract for Staten Island Ferry workers.

The labor deal comes for the ferry workers at the heels of over a decade without a contract.  As reported by the NY Post, the deal will cost taxpayers about $103 million through 2027.  The deal agrees to pay about 150 ferry workers, who run the free daily ferry service out of Staten Island, an increase of tens of thousands of dollars in their base salaries.  It also agrees to 13 years of back pay, which will translate into million-dollar payouts for some of the captains and top mariner engineers who will receive retroactive checks, according to city and union officials.

Mayor Adams and the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association officials announced the deal for the contracts on Monday, which was Labor Day.  “I wanted to make sure we did this right, so we celebrate people who keep our city going, keeping our city moving in the right direction,” Adams said at the press conference.  “This ferry is so significant to the Staten Island community,” the mayor said, noting the agreement will help the city retain and attract talent.  The Staten Island Ferry makes 117 trips daily. It carried a total 13.6 million riders in 2022.  Over recent years, there has been an increase in ferry service disruptions due to staffing shortages.  The new contract hopes to put the service back on track.

Per the Post, the contract will more than double salaries for the dozen captains, raising their base pay to $180,000 by the end of the contract in 2027, up from $71,000 on average in 2010.  The chief marine engineer, which is the other top position, will earn about $180,000 annually by the end of 2027, which is up from just $69,000 in 2010.  The assistant captains, mates, marine engineers and other workers will see an increase in their salaries of between $60,000 and $70,000, per the Post.  The new contracts, which take effect in October, will ensure that the ferry workers agree to a 40-hour work week, up from 32 hours, which will reduce overtime costs, city and union officials said.

City Hall could not immediately say how much in total the city would payout as part of the agreed retroactive pay for the ferry workers.  Questioned about the large sum, the Mayor responded, “They earned it.”  “I don’t know how these guys made it 13 years without an increase in salary,” said Adams. “We are paying them for the sacrifices. God only knows how much their lives have been on hold.  College tuition doesn’t wait. Rent doesn’t wait. Mortgage doesn’t wait.”

Union leaders praised the contract.  “Throughout the two previous administrations, it often felt like City Hall and the MEBA were sailing on separate courses, however, today, we proudly announced that we finally brought this contract into dock,” said Roland Rexha, Secretary Treasurer at Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association.  He added that many said members have been steeped in debt to keep up with rising costs without seeing a pay increase in so many years.  “This is a relief that they’re going to have to get their lives back in order,” Rexha added.