Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority employees approve new contract

After 10 years of operating without a contract, employees of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority agreed Monday to ratify a collective bargaining agreement.

The authority's 30 employees who are represented by AFSME Local 1971 would see a $5,000 ratification bonus, 4 percent increase in their paychecks when the contract is ratified and another 3 percent increase July 1. The agreement is good through June 30, 2016.

Part of the agreement also allows two of the authority's employees to officially be transferred to work for the new Philadelphia Land Bank. The authority's board will decide whether to approve the contract at its Jan. 14 meeting.

Local 1971, which operates under the umbrella of District Council 33 that represent's the city's blue collar workers, is also in negotiations with the Philadelphia Housing Development Corp. and the Office of Housing and Community Development for new contracts as well. Some of those employees are also expected to be transferred to the land bank if their contracts are ratified.

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