| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ADVISORY For Immediate Release: March 14, 2011 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
Council Continues Cost Savings With Passage of Union Contract
(Columbus)--Columbus City Councilmembers have approved a three year labor contract that proves that collective bargaining can work for the benefit of taxpayers and the labor union involved in the negotiation. The contract with American Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSME) Union 1632 achieves cost savings and efficiencies while respecting the rights of the workers.
“The collective bargaining process has once again worked in Columbus to produce a contract that will lower costs for government,” said Councilmember A. Troy Miller, chair of the Administration Committee. “Working together, as partners at the negotiation table with the union leadership, the City of Columbus is positioning itself for a more solid financial future for decades to come.”
The new AFSME contract calls for 2.0% wage increases in 2011 and 2012 with a 2.5% increase in 2013. Employees will begin to pay more into the for the pension pickup, 1% for each contract year. New employees after April 1, 2011 will be responsible for paying the full employee contribution to the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System.
With the implementation of this contract, the City of Columbus is on track to save an estimated $135-million during the course of the next 8 years as part of a comprehensive reform package first brought forth by an accountability committee and adopted by the City Council in 2009.
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