“Please negotiate with Local 3399 a yearly wage increase in proportion to the recent steep cost-of-living increase.”

Another bit of advocacy —

The following is November 11, 2021 e-mail I sent the City Council and City Manager Jamal Fox, supporting a cost-of-living adjustment to city-worker pay:

Mayor Stewart, Councilmembers,

In the past year, the cost of living has gone up at a rate over three times the rate foreseen when the city’s Collective Bargaining Agreement with AFSCME Local 3399 was put in place. Figures released earlier this week put the year-on-year increase in the Consumer Price Index at 6.2%. Contrast with the 1.8% annual increase proposed for AFSCME-member city employees.

I think it would be reasonable and desirable for the city to respond to this unforeseen situation with a modification to the agreement. I expect we can afford an out-of-band increase, and a special, higher increase is the right thing to do, reflecting progressive principles and our care for the well-being of city employees and their families. Please negotiate with Local 3399 a yearly wage increase in proportion to the recent steep cost-of-living increase.

Thanks for your consideration and best wishes,

Seth Grimes

7300 Willow Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912