AFSCME Local 952

There have been a lot of rumors about new contract offers from the city recently.  Here is the truth to the rumors.  The city has a huge budget problem, and they are looking at the unsettled and long overdue contract with their unions as a way to shore up some problems.  They have offered a three year 2%, 2%, 0% contract with lay off protection.  Local 952 has decided that we want to wait for the decision of the arbitrator.  The feeling is that the city is trying to lump the contract, lay offs, furloughs and pension contributions into a giant pile and let the unions solve the problem for them.  For our members the loss of wage increases over the last three years is the important issue.  The erosion of wages will effect us down the road with lower pay, effect our pensions when calculations are made of our highest three years and contribute to a loss for members that can never be made up.