After almost a year of negotiations, AFSCME Local 946 ratified a new contract with Bet Tzedek Legal Services in May.
The new contract represents months of hard work and determination from Local 946 members. This round of negotiations was extremely frustrating for the Local due to management’s low-ball wage offers, that would not help combat inflation, and refusal to offer fair healthcare benefits. Members refused to back down and took action to let management know that they would not settle for anything less than a fair contract.
The local held two informational pickets in front of Bet Tzedek Legal Services, which was attended by members, community supporters, and local elected officials. Some other actions included members posting signs in their office windows, wearing union shirts to the office holiday party, and singing a carol about fair wages. Also, members wrote stories about how they have been impacted by rising inflation rates and presented their stories to management. “This action was possible because our members were also great about attending the negotiations sessions, both in person and online via Zoom,” said AFSCME Local 946 Vice President Steven A. Friday. “I think that helped keep management aware that the staff was deeply invested in the CBA.”
Their tenacity paid off. The 3-year contract includes a 14.1 percent cumulative pay increase, temporary employees are eligible for a stipend to purchase health insurance after six months of employment, and all employees will pay 17 percent of the cost of health insurance, which will be a reduction for members who currently pay 22 percent or 28 percent toward health insurance premiums. Additionally, members will receive Juneteenth as a paid holiday, an increase in bereavement from three days to five days, and an additional day of personal leave.
Throughout the entire negotiations process, members showed what it means to be union strong. “Working at a social justice organization, many of us are much more comfortable advocating for others than we are advocating for ourselves. It can be easy to accept the point-of-view that seeking improved working conditions or better wages is hurting the organization or taking away from our clients,” said Friday. “The actions were a fantastic reminder that we are collectively bargaining, that as a union we are much of what makes Bet Tzedek the organization it is and that we are advocating for our colleagues much more than for our individual selves.”
