Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Members of AFSCME Local 2719—part of AFSCME Council 13—who work for the city of Pittsburgh have overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new contract.
Highlights of the agreement include a new minimum wage, stronger grievance language, a sick bank for members in times of need, longevity payments, preferential bidding opportunities for all city jobs for AFSCME members and more. Members stood together and ensured there were no significant givebacks in the three-year deal. And if that weren’t enough to celebrate, AFSCME also succeeded in expanding the contract’s coverage to new bargaining unit positions.
“Our local members showed up, not only at the bargaining table through our bargaining team, but also at the ballot box to have their voices heard,” said Craig Sippel, president of Local 2719. “We as a team put in the work, and it paid off big for our members.”