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Tampa's Biggest Union Votes To Approve Contract With City

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 26, 2009

Updated: 03/26/2009 09:49 pm

TAMPA - Members of Tampa's largest union have approved a proposed one-year contract with the city that includes pay raises of up to 5.5 percent for some.

Leaders of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1464, which represents about 2,000 blue-collar, technical and clerical workers, recently reached a deal with city officials on a contract that includes a 2.5 percent cost-of-living increase and merit raises of up to 3 percent, with no reduction in benefits.

On Thursday, the rank and file membership approved the contract by a vote of 628-72.

City workers have been without a contract since Oct. 1. The two sides reached an impasse in December, and a mediator was brought in to untangle the talks.

A major sticking point for the union has been the length of the contract. Union officials had pushed for a three-year contract, but the city wanted a one-year pact because of concerns about continued drops in property taxes and other major funding sources.

City and union officials have also wrangled over increased wages and benefits.

On Sept. 29, union members voted down an offer from the city that would have given those who qualified a merit increase of up to 3 percent and given all members a 3.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment.

Union officials had urged members to vote against that deal. This time, the union made no official recommendation.

Union president Martha Stevens said union leaders are disappointed in some elements of the contract but "glad we got a contract for those people who really need it.''

Mayor Pam Iorio recently capped cost-of-living increases at 2.5 percent for firefighters, police and city workers. She said the city is facing a $35 million shortfall next year and has been trying to contain payroll costs, expected to increase to $212 million in 2010.

Three weeks ago, the city council approved a contract for firefighters that included a 2.5 percent cost-of-living raise and a 3.5 percent step plan increase for those who qualify.

This summer, the city begins negotiations with the police union on a new contract.

Now that the ATU has approved the proposed contract, it goes to the city council for ratification.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679.

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