Tonight, Local 49 members voted to ratify an agreement with the city of St Paul. Our members will earn a 9% increase in base pay during the three-year agreement, with the ability to earn an additional 9% in steps based on years of service. The water and sewer departments will also receive one-time increases for required licenses and certifications.
Our highly skilled members were seriously underpaid based on recent wage and compensation studies, and this contract is a long-overdue step toward rectifying that. It was a long battle, but all credit goes to the members who stood up for themselves and would not accept less than a fair deal that pays their critical work the respect it deserves.