Web Search powered by YAHOO! SEARCH
share
email
print
font size
options
 
Friday, July 18, 2008
White Collar City Workers Push City for Contract
Trying to exert some pressure on the city, District Council 47, the union for white collar city workers, just held a press conference to announce the contract terms they want. Here are the details, straight from Chris Brennan:

DC 47 President Cathy Scott says the union ­– which represent 3,372 employees – would accept a one year deal like the Fraternal Order of Police got last week, if they can get the same terms as police.

She said they want raises like the cops and they want the city to pay $1108 per worker into their healthcare fund. Currently the city pays $976, Scott said. But she said with rising costs, they’ll need $1108. And Scott pointed out that they are asking for less than police got – $1165.

Scott said DC 47 has offered to join the committee Mayor Nutter is establishing to examine city healthcare costs. But she said they weren’t interested in merging their healthcare fund with the other three city union heath funds.

(Many believe that Nutter is pushing for one-year contracts from all four city unions so he has time to put together a plan to reduce health care costs – perhaps through merging the four individual plans.)

Scott also took a dig at Nutter’s public enthusiasm for the FOP contract, saying that he was sending a message to the other unions.

“When the mayor says fair for one, fair for all, and this is a model, then we think he has crossed a line and is negotiating in the press,” Scott said.

Asked earlier today about the 47 announcement, Nutter said he knew nothing about it.

“Quite honestly I’m not familiar with what the announcement is,” Nutter said. He added: “you know I’m not going to talk about the contract negotiations.”  
Posted by Catherine Lucey @ 2:35 PM  Permalink | 1 comment
Comments   
Posted 01:38 PM, 07/20/2008
riteaide
DC 33 is approx. 10,000 members strong and they have not heard any comments from Pres. Pete Matthews what so ever in regards to contract negotiations. While the mayor is on vacation, they're left in limbo not knowing what their job future holds; vacation is out of the question. I agree with Ms Scott; city workers have been taken advantage of much too long now. All city workers should have the same benefits, nothing more and nothing less, but I think 33 and 47 may have to join forces and shut this city down if necessary, before Nutter will wake up to realization. Am I the only one who's thinking this way? Maybe then the negotiations won't be on the back burner but brought to the front where it should have been in the first place. Nobody deserves a better contract than the blue and white collar city workers and they shouldn't settle for less. Why don't you people (Union Leaders) get it together? Are you scared?
1 comments
About Chris Brennan and Catherine Lucey
PhillyClout
Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.

Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002. Since then she has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. For the past two years, she covered the 2007 mayoral election. Now that the battle is over, she has moved down to the City Hall bureau where she will report on the Nutter administration.

Share your tips

Catherine Lucey
luceyc@phillynews.com 		Chris Brennan
brennac@phillynews.com
Advertise Here