Ulster County Finalizes Four-Year Labor Agreement with Sheriff’s Employees Association

KINGSTON, N.Y. — Ulster County has finalized a new four-year labor agreement with the Ulster County Sheriff’s Employees Association (UCSEA), covering the period 2025 through 2028.

County Executive Jen Metzger, Sheriff Juan Figueroa, and UCSEA President George MacDonald signed the agreement Monday following its unanimous approval by the Ulster County Legislature in June. The total anticipated cost of the contract is $2.36 million over four years, with $988,525 allocated in the 2025 budget.

The contract includes:

A 3.5% base salary increase for non-uniformed employees in 2025.

A $2-per-hour entry-level pay increase for corrections officers, along with step differential adjustments, effective July 1, 2025.

A 2.75% base salary increase in 2026, followed by 3% increases in both 2027 and 2028.

A targeted step increase at five years of service for uniformed officers to help retain experienced staff.

County officials described the contract as a fair and fiscally responsible agreement that balances workforce needs with budgetary planning.

“This agreement reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the dedicated professionals who serve in the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office,” Metzger said. “It strengthens pay equity and recognizes the hard work of our corrections and non-uniformed staff at the County jail.”

Sheriff Figueroa said the agreement will help the Sheriff’s Office recruit and retain staff: “This newly negotiated contract helps ensure that the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office can continue attracting and retaining the dedicated professionals our community depends on.”

Union leadership also welcomed the deal. “With salaries that now keep us competitive with both the state and surrounding counties, we are better positioned to recruit and retain the high-caliber professionals our community deserves,” said UCSEA President George MacDonald.

Legislator Gina Hansut, chair of the Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee, called the contract “a significant achievement” and praised all parties for their work in bringing the agreement to completion.