More than two years after their last contract expired, clerical workers have come to a new contract agreement with the city.
The proposed contract was submitted this week to the Board of Aldermen for approval, according to a press release from city spokeswoman Elizabeth Benton.
The 5‑year contract would save the city $3.5 million and increase the take-home pay of the average Local 884 member, according to the release.
The union, AFSCME Council 4 Local 884, comprises about 430 clerical workers. The contract, which covers July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2015, was ratified at a union meeting on Friday, July 27.
“The agreement addresses several areas noted by credit rating agencies in their recent reports, including sensible pensions, health plans that reflect market conditions, and the elimination of premium pay such as longevity,” Benton wrote. Ratings agencies last week downgraded the city’s financial outlook to “negative,” in part due to low financial reserves and underfunded pensions.
The expected $3.5 million in savings in the new contract will come from reductions in pension and medical costs, Benton said.
The city still needs to reach contracts with nine other unions, including police and firefighters, according to Benton.
She shared the following details about the clerical contract:
• Wage increases of 3 percent, 2 percent and 2 percent in fiscal years 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively.
• Elimination of longevity payments for newer employees.
• A high-deductible medical plan, “consistent with contracts for school administrators and school custodians.” “Employees may choose to retain similar existing plans, but will pay higher cost shares under the new agreement,” Benton wrote.
• Also like other city bargaining units, the contract includes “a tiered pension structure [that] protects the benefits of employees close to or at retirement age, while introducing changes for those not yet hired and with fewer years on the job.”
• Work rule changes “to improve staffing flexibility and efficiency.”
• A reduction in “Minimum guaranteed pay for those called in to work outside their traditional shift”: from four hours to three hours.
• Rolling shifts for public safety answering staff.
• “Flexibility that provides for additional library branch hours on Saturdays.”
Local 884 president Ronald Hobson couldn’t be reached for comment by press time.
Ok Union Haters.Notice Elimination of longevity payments for newer employees.
• A high-deductible medical plan, "consistent with contracts for school administrators and school custodians." "Employees may choose to retain similar existing plans, but will pay higher cost shares under the new agreement," Benton wrote.
• Also like other city bargaining units, the contract includes "a tiered pension structure protects the benefits of employees close to or at retirement age, while introducing changes for those not yet hired and with fewer years on the job."
• Work rule changes "to improve staffing flexibility and efficiency.
So what is the problem now.