Kingston, N.Y. – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein has signed an historic seven year memorandum of agreement between Ulster County and the Ulster County Deputy Sheriff’s PBA, including the Ulster County Superior Officers Unit (SOU). These bargaining units represent 83 deputies and officers within the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department. Pursuant to the agreement, which cover the years 2010 through 2017, the employees represented by the PBA and the SOU will receive an annual 2% wage increase with no retroactive payments due for January 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013. In addition, employees hired after ratification of the agreement will be required to contribute 20% of the County’s cost for health insurance benefits and in a provision embraced by all involved, the County will now cover the cost of healthcare insurance for the spouse and family of any officer who loses their life in the line of duty.
“This contract highlights the deep and profound respect we have for the men and women of law enforcement who put their lives on the line every day to ensure our communities’ safety. As County Executive, I am committed to fairly balancing the need to control property taxes with the responsibility to properly compensate hard-working County employees such as Sheriff Deputies and Officers,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “This agreement is not only about wages, our Deputies place our safety above their own daily, which is why we have included a provision I pray is never needed, to provide health insurance to a surviving spouse and family of any Deputy who loses their life in the line of duty. I want to thank Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum for his professionalism as we worked together through this process and also recognize the PBA and SOU leadership for bargaining so diligently on behalf of their members while also understanding and appreciating today’s challenging economic realities. But most of all, I would like to acknowledge the Deputies and Officers who ratified this agreement for their dedication, public service and all they do to keep our entire community safe.”
Ulster County Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum
“This agreement exemplifies the County Executive’s commitment to law enforcement and specifically, our dedicated personnel,” said Ulster County Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum. “I am immensely proud of our Deputies and Officers who perform an extremely difficult job and do so reliably and professionally. With the County Executive’s support, residents can be assured that we will continue to make all of the communities across Ulster County safe.”
Chad Storey, President of Ulster County Deputy Sheriff’s PBA and Sargent with the Ulster County Sheriff Department
“Today’s agreement is a shining example of what is possible when both sides are reasonable and respectful, and I commend County Executive Hein for his deep appreciation of the job that the Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Officers do each and every day,” said Chad Storey, Ulster County Deputy Sheriff’s PBA and Sargent with the Ulster County Sheriff Department. “The County Executive always keeps the lines of communication open, which is why we were able to arrive at a fair contract for our Deputies, the County and Ulster County residents.”
Vincent Altieri, Spokeperson for the Superior Officers Unit and Captain within the Ulster County Sheriff Department
“I am proud to have been involved in this process which resulted in a fair contract for everyone,” said Vincent Altieri, Spokeperson for the Superior Officers Unit and Captain within the Ulster County Sheriff Department. “Law enforcement has a friend and leader in County Executive Hein and I want to thank him and Sheriff VanBlarcum for their professionalism and candor throughout the entire process.”
The PBA agreement will now go before the Ulster County Legislature for approval.
Photograph (L – R, Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum, County Executive Mike Hein, Chad Storey, Vincent Altieri)
