Second of two parts
Re “Largest City Union Is Proud to Claim a Rare ‘Me-Too’ Clause in Contract”
Celebrating last week’s inclusion of the seldom-awarded “me-too” clause in his union’s new contract with City Hall, the president of the largest city labor group says the issue “that most concerns our (380) members is that other groups may be treated more favorably.
“Certain powers may think other unions are more prestigious or important,” said Desmond Burns of the Culver City Employees Assn., which is the lowest paid of the six municipal unions.
“We believe all employees are valuable to the organization. We represent members from those who make $13 an hour to standard. None of our members makes six figures.”
The most difficult takeaway in a year when unions everywhere are giving back, says Mr. Burns, “is to be paying all of our employee contributions to Pers (Public Employees Retirement System) in two years. That is a big one.
“We presently pay 2 percent. As of July 1, that will go to 5 percent, and another 3 percent next year.”
Is that a hardship on Employee Assn. members?
“Our members are taking the city at face value,” Mr. Burns said, “when they tell us about the unsustainability of pensions and retirement. Our members are taking the City Council at face value when they say all employees will be contributing.
“We say ‘Okay, we accept that.’ The ‘me-too’ guarantees all employee groups, no matter what bargaining group you are in, will be contributing.”
(To be continued)
