By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – For the first time in seven years crossing guards in the City of Buffalo will be getting pay raises. A new three year contract was approved by the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority Monday.
The contract will provide pay raises for the 157 part-time crossing guards in Buffalo. The deal was passed in a vote of six to three. But before that vote there was plenty of debate. Control board chairman Paul Kolkmeyer voted no. He believes the deal will set the wrong precedent for other union contract negotiations.
chair Alair Townsend also voted against the contract. She says fears the city won't be able to afford future skyrocketing health care costs.
But Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown says current and retired crossing guards will be making higher contributions to their health care costs.
The deal will also bring 32 of the more than 100 crossing guards up to minimum wage and living wage standards. Maggie Springs has been a crossing guard in Buffalo for 37 years. Springs told WBFO News she was more concerned about maintaining her health insurance then receiving a pay raise.
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