On November 29th, IDC&WLaw client, the United Transit Leadership Organization, secured ratification by its membership of a new collective bargaining agreement with several affiliates of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority by an incredible vote of 387-10, or 97.5%.

The agreement calls for two annual compounded 2% raises over 30 months, improvements to the grievance and arbitration procedures, two employer-paid released union officials, improvements in time and leave policies and an unprecedented increase in the minimum salaries at each salary grade, known as “compression” levels.

The agreement covers approximately 1,000 MTA employees.

Howard Wien served as counsel to the UTLO for these negotiations 

For decades, IDC&W Law has helped unions collectively bargain with employers, negotiating long and short term contracts in both the public and private sectors.  Recently, we successfully negotiated a five year contract for a municipal union, with 13.67% total wage increases, compounded over the term, plus an additional hourly wage increase for three of the five year term.  Certain increases were obtained for shift differential and longevity  payments as well as a 25% increase in sick leave.  Last, employees who retire with 10 to 15 years receive 50% health insurance coverage, which increases at 20 years retirement.  A one-time COVID bonus was also secured for qualifying members who worked during the height of the pandemic.

Not only did the relevant legislature ratify that contract, but the membership did as well with over 90% voting YES.

The union was represented by IDC&W Law Partner Steven Isaacs.

We at IDC&W Law understand the  importance of time off for our hard working union clients. It is particularly critical for first responders.  Recently, in response to the New York City COVID-19 vaccine mandate, the City issued a policy to penalize employees who called out sick on ordered overtime with a loss of ability to exchange work shifts with other employees. This rule was so broadly and poorly written, the employee could have been penalized for being quarantined due to exposure to or contracting COVID-19.  While the matter is subject to grievance arbitration, we also fought to ensure that union members would not be harmed while the arbitration is pending. Under a unique provision of New York State law, we  sought court intervention to prevent the City  from implementing the policy change prior to the arbitration hearing.

Despite the Courts regularly denying injunction requests that are related to COVID-19 policies, we were able to successfully  obtain a temporary restraining order in aid of arbitration. The grievance is now pending arbitration and the injunction maintaining the status quo is presently  in effect.

The union was represented by IDC&W Law Partner Liam L. Castro.

The pandemic showed how important essential workers are. The truth is, they always were. They fought for us when we needed them most, working long hours risking their and their family’s health. That is particularly why their time off is important and sacred. 

In May 2021 the City eliminated the use of compensatory time off for its Fire Alarm Dispatchers; it was previously two slots per shift per borough. IDC&W jumped into action, the next day filing an action in Court seeking a restraining order. Within days, without need for a court order, based upon the strength and persuasiveness of our arguments, the City, and IDC&W and our client resolved the matter ensuring that the Fire Alarm Dispatchers’ compensatory time off was preserved. This City also agreed to grant all prior requests for compensatory time that were denied.

*PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW FIRM NAME AND ADDRESS BELOW.
Liam L. Castro, Esq.Isaacs Devasia Castro & Wien, LLP80 Broad Street, 5th floor | New York, NY 10004

Tel: 917.551.1300/917.837.7121| e-mail: lcastro@koehler-isaacs.com

We are pleased to announce that Koehler & Isaacs LLP has added three new partners and will now be known as Isaacs Devasia Castro & Wien LLP. At this time, with mixed emotions, we also announce the retirement of Founding Partner, Richard J. Koehler from the firm. 

The new partners are long-time associates Cynthia Devasia, Liam Castro and Howard Wien who have a collective sixty years of litigating, mediating, and negotiating legal issues affecting workers and public and private sector labor unions and employee fringe benefit funds. All three have extensive experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements and conducting hundreds of labor arbitrations litigating disciplinary charges, contract grievance violations and line of duty injury benefits. They also advise our union and employee benefits clients in corporate governance and regulatory compliance matters. In their own way, each has been an indispensable asset to the firm and our clients: 

Our clients have benefited from Ms. Devasia’s extensive federal court practice entailing novel Constitutional claims, civil rights (plaintiff and defense), and employee benefits litigation including ERISA delinquency actions leading to the collection of millions of dollars in plan assets.  Ms. Devasia is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law where she has taught doctrinal law and legal writing, research, and lawyering skills. 

Our clients have found Mr. Castro’s representation in state court matters essential to obtaining injunctive relief protecting against excessive work hours and preserving worker’s pay, leave time, and health benefits.  He also has a successful track record in appellate advocacy arguing in three of the four Appellate Divisions and also before the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, where he was victorious each time.  

Our clients have thrived under Mr. Wien’s guidance in forming local and national level labor unions, protecting the rights of public sector supervisory workers to organize, running successful union organizing campaigns, and navigating the intricacies of internal union disputes. Mr. Wien is a former Commissioner of the Yonkers Commission of Human Rights and also a trained mediator and experienced arbitrator.  

“Cynthia, Liam, and Howard epitomize the dedication and exemplary service our firm provides.  They are exceptionally talented, have been an integral part of our long-standing success and we look forward to continuing the same high-caliber and innovative legal representation we have provided for over 20 years,” said Founding Partner Steven A. Isaacs. 

The firm was founded under the Koehler & Isaacs moniker in 1999 by Mr. Isaacs and Richard J. Koehler, a longtime labor relations advocate and former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction and New York City Police Department Chief of Personnel, as a unique, full service law firm designed to meet the legal needs of working families, their unions and their employee benefit funds.  The firm has represented clients in various public and private sector industries including law enforcement, security, transportation, education and construction. During this time, Mr. Koehler has been our captain, guiding force, and a man widely respected for his service to his clients, the legal profession, his City and Country.  We wish him the very best and thank him for his stewardship and, more importantly, the many years of friendship. 

More information about Isaacs Devasia Castro & Wien LLP can be found at www.idcwlaw.com.