* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmembers Cohen and Schleifer
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Request for City Action - Increase the Salary Range for Sanitation Workers
For the purpose of expressing support for the essential workers of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 67 and Local 44 in their negotiation of a new contract for sanitation workers and calling on the Mayor and Department of Public Works to improve working conditions for sanitation workers, raise their pay, and match or surpass the starting salary of local private contractors.
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Recitals
In the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, through stay-at-home orders and during the highest rates of hospitalization, solid waste workers were still working in person. They showed up for Baltimore, continuing to deliver essential City services and maintaining quality of life for City residents. Now, we must show up for them.
In 2020, Councilmembers Cohen and Schleifer coordinated with the Department of Public
Works and union representatives to increase the starting salary for a temporary sanitation worker from $11 to $16 an hour and to increase the starting salary for a full-time sanitation worker from $15 to $20 an hour.
Despite these efforts, there continued to be a sustained high rate of vacancy in these positions, demonstrating that the new entry rates are not enough to retain staff long-term.
In its Januar...
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