State Workers and Commonwealth Reach Tentative Agreement

    HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Negotiators from
 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Council 13 of AFSCME, the American
 Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, reached a tentative
 four-year agreement at 5:30 am on Friday, January 12.
     The agreement, which received overwhelming support on Saturday from the
 larger Policy Committee, provides for bonuses and wage increases of 22.4
 percent for the average state employee over the life of the four-year
 agreement.
     "This is a very fair contract, with good wage increases that show the
 Commonwealth appreciated the sacrifices made by AFSCME members in the last
 contract," said Council 13 Executive Director David Fillman. "We worked
 hard to balance wage increases with healthcare costs for active employees
 and future retirees."
     Fillman was among three union leaders who joined the Governor at a
 press conference held at the Governor's Mansion at 2:00 pm today.
     AFSCME's agreement covers nearly 45,000 state workers. Members of 205
 Local Unions will vote on the contract in meetings around the state over
 the next two weeks.
     AFSCME Council 13 represents more than 65,000 employees of the state
 and its counties, townships, boroughs, cities, school districts, and
 healthcare and human service facilities.
 
 

SOURCE AFSCME Council 13