NEW YORK – New York Mayor Eric Adams announced on Friday that the city has reached a more than 5-year agreement with District Council 37 (DC 37), the Big Apple’s largest union and made up of employees of the public sector.
“This agreement will cover nearly 90,000 city employees, or a quarter of the city’s total unionized workforce,” City Hall said in a statement.
This agreement includes wage increases of 3% for the first 4 years and 3.25% for the last year, as well as a significant investment in a childcare fund, dedicated funds to improve retention efforts and recruiting, and a committee to explore flexible work options, such as remote work.
The parties have also agreed that beginning July 1, 2023, each employee covered by this contract will earn at least $18 per hour, a rate above the minimum wage of $15.
“When you call 911 (emergency phone), there is a DC 37 member on the other side. When your child crosses the street to get to school, there is a DC 37 member on the other side. makes sure he is safe When you see your children walking through the cafeteria to get food, those people serving the food are members of DC 37. Every aspect of our lives is represented by men and women. DC 37 women,” Adams said Friday.
The mayor stressed in his press conference that this agreement was all the more important for him since his mother was part of DC 37.
This agreement is retroactive to May 26, 2021 and expires on November 6, 2026.