A small Westchester County local proved it doesn't take great numbers to effect great change.

After affiliating with NYSUT last year, eight maintenance, cleaner and custodial workers at the Greenburgh-Graham school district won raises averaging 12 percent in the first year, increased workweek hours for the hourly employees and better equipment.

"We got almost everything we asked for," said Richard Cruz, president of the Graham School Custodial Association.

That included a $200 annual shoe allowance and better snow removal equipment.

"Before when it snowed, we had to clear the snow with hand shovels," said Cruz. "Under our contract, we got snowblowers and a pickup with a plow."

The achievements didn't come easy. NYSUT Labor relations specialist Debra Gold was forced to file a notice of claim — a precursor to an improper practice charge — after administrators stonewalled early negotiations. "They got a good contract," Gold said of the union members.

The gains also included health insurance waivers based on the amount of insurance members actually require, instead of simply basing waivers on insurance rates for individuals, as the district was trying to do with one member, she said.

Cruz credits Bill Bailey, president of the Graham School Federation of Teachers, with mentoring the fledgling local. "We were told by many people that we were too small a group to unionize," said Cruz. "Bill spoke with us and told us our best option was the teachers union."

Other contract wins include pay increases retroactive to July 2005, longevity payments, a grievance procedure and final, binding arbitration.