Grayson  Preston:Big Pennsylvania state employee unions ratify new 4-year agreements with Shapiro administration

2025-05-03 11:08:47source:Rubypoint Trading Centercategory:News

HARRISBURG,Grayson  Preston Pa. (AP) — Members of two large Pennsylvania state employee unions this month ratified proposed four-year contracts with Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration, with the cost of salaries and benefits projected to rise by more than 20%.

One agreement covers about 10,000 members of the Service Employees International Union Local 668 and was ratified last week. Earlier this month, about 27,000 members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 13 ratified another agreement. The Independent Fiscal Office, a legislative agency, estimated that the AFSCME contract will increase salaries and benefits by almost $1.2 billion in the deal’s fourth year, or roughly 21%.

The terms of the contracts are identical, according to Shapiro’s administration.

The contracts deliver pay raises of 20.25% over the four years, including 5% right away. Compounded over the four years, salaries will increase by 22%.

Employee health care contributions will increase from 5% to 6% of salary over the life of the contract, although members can halve the contribution by participating in a wellness program.

The agreements come after inflation spiked in 2021.

SEIU and AFSCME members are coming off a four-year contract that expired July 1 after delivering raises of 16.75% over the contract’s life.

Employees across state government are represented by unions, including nurses, state troopers, corrections officers and social services caseworkers. Shapiro’s administration has said talks continue with 13 other labor unions representing state employees.

More:News

Recommend

This week on "Sunday Morning" (December 15)

The Emmy Award-winning "CBS News Sunday Morning" is broadcast on CBS Sundays beginning at 9:00 a.m.

See the bronze, corgi-adorned statue honoring Queen Elizabeth II on her 98th birthday: Photos

Queen Elizabeth II – and her love of dogs – are being celebrated in her native England.The late Brit

America’s child care crisis is holding back moms without college degrees

AUBURN, Wash. (AP) — After a series of lower-paying jobs, Nicole Slemp finally landed one she loved.