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I'm a member of AFSCME Local 2206, white-collar employees of the City of Erie. We had been without a contract since December 31, 2005. Last month, we FINALLY signed a contract with the City which included a retroactive 1% raise for 2006.
Some of our members who were employed during part or all of 2006, but who are currently laid off have asked whether they are entitled to the retro pay for hours they worked in 2006. The city is now arguing that only those union members who were employed at the time the contract was signed are entitled to the retro pay. Our (absolutely worthless) AFSCME staff rep has stated that he wont argue for those Union members' back pay, and that he basically agrees with the City's position.
I can't believe that this is the first time that this issue has ever come up in contract negotiations anywhere; there has to be a more-or-less standard way that this type of thing usually plays out. Anyone have experience with this type of situation, or have access to any resources that might help me club our guy upside the head and get him to actually argue on our behalf?
Or am I completely out to lunch on this one, and standard Labor practice is to only afford those retroactive pay raises to individuals employed at the time the contract is actually signed?
Thanks for any expertise anyone can lend me.
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