District Council 37 delegates back new contract

"We won a contract with an 8.26% wage hike and no change in health coverage and pension plans. In these difficult times, this is a victory for our members," says DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts.

Delegates of District Council 37, the city's largest public employee union, last night voted overwhelmingly to recommend ratification by union members of DC 37's tentative wage pact with the city.

On October 30, the DC 37 Bargaining Committee, which is made up of the union's 56 local presidents, voted overwhelmingly to accept the agreement. The November 6th vote means that DC 37 members will now vote on the agreement by mail ballot. In accordance with the DC 37 Constitution, the American Arbitration Association, an independent monitor, will conduct the vote. Ballots will be mailed to members on Thursday, November 13 and must be received by the American Arbitration Association by 9:00 AM on Monday, December 8. Ratification of the contract requires the approval of a majority of the members who vote.

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts urged DC 37 members to ratify the pact: "We listened hard to what the members wanted, and we have delivered. I urge them to vote "Yes" and to return their ballots as soon as possible. The contract gives covered members a 4% raise on base salary retroactive to March 3, 2008 and another 4% raise on March 3, 2009. This gives our members the clarity and economic certainty for the future that they deserve at a time of a deepening economic crisis on the federal, state and local levels. This contract also acknowledges how important our members are to maintaining the quality of life in this city. This is a great deal.

"The city has promised to move forward on the raises as soon as our members have voted and the contract ratification process is completed," Roberts added.

District Council 37 represents 125,000 members in more than 1,000 job titles from 56 local unions.