Friday, April 14, 2017
THE PULSE OF THE PENINSULA
Vol. 92, No. 15
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ARTS EXHIBIT AT GOLD COAST
STATE REPORT PANS LIRR
BLANK SLATE WINS 10 STATE AWARDS
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Meadow Carting strike ends
T H E B A N D P L AY S O N
Garbage workers get new contract BY ST E P H E N ROMANO Westbury-based Meadow Carting and more than 65 employees reached a deal for a new contract last Wednesday, ending a three-day strike that disrupted garbage collection across the North Shore. The end of the strike was confirmed by an official from the National Organization of Industrial Trade Unions, which represents the workers. The details of the agreement were not disclosed. Gerard Jones, president of the National Organization of Industrial Trade Unions, who had said the workers were seeking $1 more per hour and for Meadow to pay a larger portion for health benefits, could not be reached for comment. Anthony E. Core, a lawyer representing Meadow, did not respond to a request for comment. The workers began picketing Meadow’s main building at 581 Continued on Page 48
PHOTO COURTESY OF GREAT NECK PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
North High School chamber musicians strike a playful pose. See page 41 for story.
Estates OKs budget, fire contract Comes as Vigilant and other G.N. villages continue discussions BY JA N E LL E CL AUSEN Great Neck Estates adopted a $9.43 million budget and renewed its contract with Vigilant Fire Company last Wednesday, marking a victory for Vigilant.
The village board’s approval of a new contract with Vigilant came amid questions about whether it will remain the primary emergency care provider in the Great Neck area. Discussions are still ongoing with the villages of Great Neck, Saddle Rock and Kings Point, David Weiss, board chairman of the Vigilant Fire Company, said. “While we continue to work towards a definitive
resolution, contracts have yet to be signed,” Weiss said. “In the coming weeks we hope village mayors come to an agreement to have our group of highly trained community members continue responding to emergency calls in our villages for years to come.” Great Neck Estate’s annual contract with Vigilant Fire Company, which handles fire and ambulance services for the area, is worth $736,918, of
which $638,376 goes toward fire services and the rest for the ambulance, according to the fire company. “We love them, we are delighted with them, they do a great job, [and] we don’t want to lose them,” said Great Neck Estates Mayor William Warner. Vigilant Fire Chief Josh Forst said the department values the continued partnership between the village and the Continued on Page 48
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