Canton approves pay raise, bonus and vaccine incentive for AFSCME unions

The Repository
·3 min read
Canton City Hall
Canton City Hall

CANTON – City Council has approved a 3% pay raise, $1,000 essential worker bonus and $500 COVID-19 vaccine incentive for union employees.

The changes apply to city employees represented by the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Local 3449 represents technical and clerical workers, and Local 2937 represents utility and general labor employees.

City Council approved the contracts on first reading Monday in order to have new agreements by the start of 2022, according to a memo from Public Service Director John Highman and Safety Director Andrea Perry. The current AFSCME contracts expire on Dec. 31.

Highman said the people involved in negotiations for the city and unions work well together and he's pleased to have completed the agreements in a timely manner.

"I think it's a good thing for the city," Highman said. "It's a good thing for the employees."

Ed Turner, president of Local 2937, said the resulting contract was for a fair wage and "well-deserved" essential worker bonuses. The one-time $1,000 payment is equal to about 50 cents an hour over the course of a year.

"The men and women of AFSCME 2937, they're dedicated to doing their jobs," he said. "They showed up each and every day through the pandemic, and I feel that they deserve to be rewarded with that hazard pay."

There currently is no COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city workers. Turner said, as other employers nationwide have offered incentives, the union felt the $500 incentive was reasonable.

"There wasn't really that much wrapped up in this negotiation, considering the fact that we're going to be going back in in about 10 months to negotiate for wages and benefits," Turner said about expecting to negotiate a three-year contract next year.

A Local 3449 representative did not respond to requests for comment by The Canton Repository's deadline.

The collective bargaining agreements between the city and AFSCME will be effective through 2022. Highlights include:

  • A one-time payment of $500 for current employees who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by Feb. 28, 2022, and who present their vaccination card to the Human Resources Department.

  • A one-time payment of $1,000 for current employees "as an essential worker bonus for performance of duties during the COVID-19 pandemic."

  • A 3% wage increase for all AFSCME employees

  • One additional personal holiday next year

  • No changes to health care plans

  • Changes in continuing disability benefits that reduce an employee's pay to 60% of the regular rate and lessen the weeks of disability available.

The city remains in negotiations with police and fire department unions, which also have contracts expiring at the end of this year.

More: Canton City Council agrees to increase police starting pay

Mayor Thomas Bernabei has asked City Council to approve a 3% "cost of living" raise for city management and non-union employees as well. His memo to the council requested a vote on Dec. 20.

Other action

  • Approved an approximately $355.49 million temporary city budget for 2022 with $65.91 million designated for the general fund.

  • Appointed Timothy Dunbar Jr. as an administrative assistant in the Canton City Council Office.

Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.com

On Twitter: @kbyerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton OKs pay raise, bonus and vaccine incentive for AFSCME unions