Islip Town blue-collar workers get raise

The average Islip Town blue-collar worker’s salary will rise starting today to around $47,055 after the town board Tuesday night ratified a new contract.

The pay raise is the first for the town’s 370 blue-collar workers since 2007 when they broke with the Teamsters Local 237 and joined the United Public Service Employees Union. The workers had been without a contract since then.

Labor relations director Robert Finnegan said four more pay rises will follow at six-month intervals, increasing workers’ salary by 0.25 percent a year in 2012 and 2013. Salaries for the workers had averaged about $45,000.

Under the contract, which closely echoes the one agreed to by the town and Teamsters Local 237 for about 300 white-collar members, UPSEU members hired by the town after Jan. 1, 2010, will get fewer sick, personal and vacation days and will have to pay a portion of their health benefits.

Union members ratified the settlement in a 285-23 vote three weeks ago.