"This economic agreement is the second agreement in an overall wage and benefit package that we have put together for our members over the past year. It provides fair wage increases, which our members need," she said.

District Council 37 represents 121,000 members in more than 1,000 job titles from 56 local unions.

The ratification process for the contract begins with tonight's vote by the DC 37 bargaining committee, made up of the union's 56 local presidents. The contract will then be submitted to the Council's delegate body for a recommendation to the locals on whether to accept or reject the pact. Finally, the American Arbitration Association will conduct a mail ballot of the membership covered by the contract.

Click here for details of the agreement. (PDF format)*