Staten Island Ferry captains are getting a huge pay rise
Under the new agreement, announced on Labor Day, Staten Island ferry captains will receive a staggering $1 million in back payments And absurd salaries.
All of the approximately 150 ferry employees will receive salary increases retrospectively over 13 years, which will also increase their pensions.
Captain base salary increases from $71,000 $180,000 a year.
Yes, the job is important: The horrific aftermath of the 2003 ferry accident shows what can happen when the boats are bad ordered.
But the mayor fetches just $260,000; Didn’t anyone ask if that’s too much?
Overall, the deal will cost taxpayers $103 million through 2027, when the city is already struggling with billions of dollars in budget shortfalls.
When they couldn’t reach an agreement 13 years ago, the workers took the risk not receive a wage refund.
It’s a lever that tougher negotiators could have used to lessen the impact of a ‘fix’.
Even Mayor Bill de Blasio refused to accept such terms.
On the other hand, Mayor Eric Adams hasn’t cracked down on any of the city’s unions, such as demanding serious productivity gains to cover the cost of pay rises.
Perhaps it’s time to save in other ways, by hiring a private company to manage the ferry cost-effectively.
The city has an obligation to operate this service, but not to lose its jersey in the process.
