Mayor Michelle Wu has inked new contracts with the city's union workers, marking a departure from the standard by implementing set dollar wage increases. Over 1,700 City employees across 28 departments, represented by AFSCME Council 93 and SEIU Local 888, stand to benefit from this change, as reported by the City of Boston's official announcement. These departments include Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and the Boston Centers for Youth & Families among others.
In a statement that demonstrates a commitment to her staff, Mayor Wu said, "The work of our employees is foundational to running of our City, and they deserve the compensation and flexibility that ensures excellence in delivering city services to our residents and financial stability for their families." The new contracts feature annual two percent increases and a set dollar amount added to base salaries annually. This move ensures greater percent gains for the city's lower-wage workers, contrasting historical methods that often favored a flat percentage across the board, as stated by the City of Boston press release.
Touting the significance of this development, Thomas McKeever, President of SEIU Local 888, relayed, "This is a historic day for the members and staff of Local 888. We came to a tentative agreement with the MGT/Union bargaining team in the City of Boston on a contract for the hard working folks that provide valuable services to the constituents and residents of Boston." He also expressed his gratitude to Mayor Wu for acknowledging the challenges faced by low wage workers.
Moreover, the contracts cater to the needs of employees right from their preliminary phases of employment, offering sick leave and bereavement leave to probationary employees. In an era where office workers are adapting to hybrid work schedules, the City has also stepped forward to offer similar flexibility by providing an option for a four-day work week to AFSCME union members, as long as the total hours match a five-day workload. According to the City of Boston press release, Mayor Wu's administration is set on retaining these frontline workers and attracting new talent to public service roles.
These contracts build on Mayor Wu's promise to usher in reform and elevate wages for Boston’s workforce through collective bargaining—a vision consistent with the Mayor's previous deal with the Boston bus driver union. With all 48 city union contracts expired at the start of her tenure, Mayor Wu's current actions reflect a significant stride in labor relations within the city government framework.
