Today Local 199 voted overwhelmingly to ratify our contract with the County.
“The choice was clear,” said Emilio Gomez of the Property Appraisal Department. “We fought hard to win the best contract our union has ever negotiated.”
As a result of the ratification, effective October 1st, employees represented by local 199 will get back tens of millions of dollars (up to 180.00 per month per employee) in pay concessions, including flex pay, premium pay, and holiday pay that was relinquished three years ago during the last negotiation with the County.
Furloughs, which have unfairly forced employees to stay home from work without pay, will end completely. Also, as part of the new collective bargaining agreement, a 1% wage increase is guaranteed in 2017.
In addition, by negotiating the new Select Plan health insurance plan, Local 199 has made sure that despite rising costs in health care across the country, county employees represented by our union do not have to choose between paying the bills and affordable, comprehensive health coverage. (pictured left: Brother Michael Lyons casts his ballot during the ratification vote)
“We have come a long way from what the Mayor proposed to us several months ago,” said Delores Wells from Transit. “We fought hard and won, but we now need to make sure to increase our membership and make sure our non-member coworkers understand that by not joining today, we can lose everything we won back tomorrow. Membership is directly tied to the quality of our contract.”
