After a marathon negotiating session on Feb. 16 that ended with a handshake minutes before midnight, the DC 37 Bargaining Committee concluded talks with the city on a new economic agreement that provides for fair wage increases worth more than 16% and continues premium-free health benefits for you and your dependents. For the first time ever, the agreement includes a path to implementing flexible work options, including telework.

The contract provides for compounded 3% raises on May 26, 2021 (retro), 2022 (retro), 2023 and 2024, and a 3.25% wage increase on May 26, 2025. The contract term is 65 months and 12 days. The city also agreed to a minimum of $18 per hour wages for all members covered by this agreement earning less than that amount.

Significantly, this agreement recognizes the tireless work of our members throughout the pandemic and includes a $3,000 bonus upon your ratification of the contract.

This was a hard-fought economic agreement that took place across two mayoral administrations. Though the negotiation process was difficult for many reasons, I’m proud that we secured a contract that will improve conditions in the workplace and address challenges our members face at home.

While the financial compensation is significant, this contract responds to other priorities you told us were important.

At the bargaining table, we won:

• City contributions to a DC 37-run Child Care Trust Fund to provide financial assistance to every member who needs help with child care.
• A Flexible Work Committee that meets the realities of today’s workplace through telecommuting, flex/compressed schedules, and enhanced transit benefits.
• A Pandemic Response Joint Committee to ensure you have the equipment you need to deal with COVID-19 or any future contagious diseases.
• An additional $50 per member contribution from the city to our Health & Welfare Fund to help address the rising costs of prescription drugs.

By offering these wage increases and benefits, I strongly believe this is a good deal for the hard-working members of DC 37.

Your DC 37 Delegates Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Feb. 28 to recommend this agreement. I want to thank the entire DC 37 Bargaining Committee, which includes your Local presidents and my Associate Directors Jahmila Edwards and Rose Lovaglio-Miller, for their work to negotiate the best possible contract on your behalf.

We could not have gotten to this point without your action — whether you took the time to fill out the member survey and share your contract priorities last year, showed up for our rally at City Hall last June to demand a start to negotiations, or shared a message of solidarity on social media during our Day of Action, every effort you put into securing a new contract made all the difference at the bargaining table. This is what our union is about: unity.

This contract and its negotiated benefits are subject to ratification by DC 37 members. Soon, you will receive a summary of the economic agreement and a ballot from the American Arbitration Association, the independent organization conducting the contract vote.

Please return your ballot as soon as possible. Once you return your ballot to AAA, the votes will be tallied and results reported to the union. In order to be counted in this vote, your ballot must be received by AAA no later than 9 a.m. on Friday, March 31.

Please look over the material carefully. Once you review the information, I urge you to vote “yes” on the new contract.