New York, NY - The city's corrections officers reached a tentative agreement today on a 27-month contract that provides for pay raises, a lump-sum payment and other, smaller improvements.

"To provide much deserved wage increases and other contractual improvements, President Norman Seabrook worked creatively to design a favorable contract for his members," Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said in a statement announcing the agreement.

The contract, which will cover the period from May 1, 2005, to July 31, 2007, includes a 3 percent pay increase effective May 1, 2005, and a 3.15 percent increase effective May 1, 2006.

In addition, a lump-sum payment of $1,085 will be paid May 1, 2006, to all active duty members in the Correction Officers' Benevolent Association.

"Through the course of countless hours of negotiations, the COBA executive board and I have achieved yet another contract which all New York City Correction Officers can be proud of," the union's president, Norman Seabrook, said in a statement. "Moving forward, we will continue to work diligently to improve wages and benefits, and obtain the best possible contract for all New York City Correction Officers and their families."

The agreement covers about 8,100 officers in the city's Department of Corrections. Mr. Bloomberg said the agreement, which must still be ratified by the union's membership, was consistent with the city's pattern of bargaining with uniformed services.