State worker unions start voting on proposed contracts

Members of two giant state worker unions are voting on proposed contracts with Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration, together with one that may ship pay raises of greater than 20% over the following 4 years.

The tentative agreements cowl about 36,000 members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Workers Native 13 and Service Workers Worldwide Union Native 668, Shapiro’s administration mentioned Friday. Voting might final weeks.

Neither union leaders nor Shapiro’s administration agreed to supply particulars of the tentative agreements earlier than something is ratified.

Nevertheless, Pennlive.com reported {that a} copy of the proposed phrases for 27,000 AFSCME members underneath Shapiro’s jurisdiction reveals that members would obtain raises of 20.25% over the contract’s life, together with 5% immediately.

The agreements come after inflation spiked in 2021.

“We’re hopeful that the tentative settlement is one thing that may assist our members as they cope with a whole lot of the impacts of the present economic system,” mentioned Steve Catanese, SEIU 668’s president.

Workers throughout state authorities are represented by unions, together with nurses, state troopers, corrections officers and social companies caseworkers.

SEIU and AFSCME members are coming off a four-year contract that expired July 1 after delivering raises of 16.75% over the contract’s life.

The Unbiased Fiscal Workplace, a legislative company, estimated in 2019 that the just-expired AFSCME contract would enhance salaries and advantages by $827 million over the deal’s 4 years, or virtually 11%.

Shapiro’s administration mentioned talks proceed with 13 different labor unions representing state workers.