Details emerge on settlements with several Memphis city unions

By Ryan Poe of The Commercial Appeal

5/19/2016

The city and three bargaining units of city employees compromised to reach last-minute contract settlements avoiding the Memphis City Council's impasse process, according to details released late Wednesday.

Three of the seven union bargaining units that were headed to impasse settled with the city in the wake of a City Council impasse committee siding with the city over the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Police Property Evidence Photo Lab unit.

An impasse committee meeting previously scheduled for today was canceled. Two others are set for Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

According to the city, the code enforcement unit of AFSCME will receive its requested 3 percent pay increase July 1, but lose a $2 per hour incentive for certifications.

The construction inspectors unit of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) will receive a 1 percent raise July 1 — lower than the 2.4 percent requested — but not a $50 per year increase in its uniform allowance.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) agreed to a one-time $1,000 bonus and a one-year contract, as opposed to its proposed 3 percent raise on July 1, 2017, as part of a two-year contract. In addition to the settlement, the city plans to offer machinists pay-for-performance incentives beginning Jan. 1, 2017.