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Union stands firm as talks continue
By DAVE SHELTON
Article published on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 |
LARGO – City employees again jammed the City Commission’s meeting room Oct. 16, pleading for their usual pay increases and health benefits. The commission met behind closed doors for more than an hour to discuss the new contract for some 400 members of the general city employee’s union, Local 3179, Communications Workers of America.
As they did at the last commission meeting, Oct. 9, union members stood in the meeting room while their officers made a plea to the commissioners. It looked like fewer at the second meeting when more than 50 stood.
Union members learned nothing about whether the city would relent on its negotiating position that would reduce annual raises from 4 percent to 3.5 percent and limit across-the-board increases based upon a consultant’s recommendation that some employees are underpaid. The city’s position would also force the employees to pay up to 10 percent of the cost of their health insurance premiums.
The city’s latest offer was expected to be shown to union negotiators when talks resumed on Wednesday, Oct. 17.
Union members have worked since Oct. 1 without a contract but are barred from any work action by state law.
Local Vice President Dawn Smolowitz said the city and union remained apart on wage increases and health benefits. She said that although the City Commission has already budgeted a 4 percent increase for all employees in 2008, the city negotiating team is holding the line at 3.5 percent.
Smolowitz said the union will “go to the mats” over health care premiums the city wants employees to start paying. Now the health care premiums are fully paid by the city.
“We pay for health care, it’s not free,” Smolowitz said. She explained that employees have accepted increased “co pay” fees almost every year. She said that raises the fees each employee pays when visiting a doctor or hospital or buying drugs.
“We are not picketing but we will be out in force at the commission meeting in hopes we can get the commissioners to see our side and give direction to the city administration to give us what we are asking for,” Smolowitz said.
More than 50 employees jammed the commission’s meeting room Oct. 2 and stood more than five minutes as Smolowitz pleaded their case.
Three other unions represent the police, fire and police lieutenants in the city. Smolowitz told the commission that her union should not be the only bargaining unit making sacrifices just because it is the only one up for renewal this year.
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Article published on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007
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