Claremont Workers: Six Years Without A Raise Or A Contract

[Omaha Steve]

http://nhlabornews.com/2013/08/claremont-workers-six-years-without-a-raise-or-a-contract/

By NH Labor News | August 22, 2013

Today State Rep and AFSCME member Andrew O’Hearn and Jim Durkin (AFSCME Representative) went on the WNTK morning show to talk about the new radio ad highlighting the situation of the workers in Claremont, NH.

Here is the AFSCME Council 93 ad that is running on WNTK.

https://soundcloud.com/nhlabor/afcsme-council-93-claremont-ad

Here is the 12 minute interview on WNTK this on 8-22-13

https://soundcloud.com/nhlabor/wntk-interview-with-jim-durkin

Below is a letter sent to the NH Labor News detailing the struggles that public workers in Claremont are facing right now.

Thank You Linda for sending us this great local story.

Claremont Workers: Six Years Without A Raise Or A Contract.

By Linda Horan

Claremont City workers have been without a contract and a raise for more than six years. An independent fact finder for the DPW and Police reviewed the bargaining proposal. After careful and thorough examination, he issued a report that called for a 3% pay increase, certainly modest, especially after going without for so long.The Union agreed with the fact finders report, the City turned it down cold. They want to keep denying pay raises-and losing veteran, experienced workers-until the workers cave in. That’s not going to happen!

What’s next? That’s up to the members! But make no mistake, they will not quietly accept whatever crumbs the City drops on the ground. We’ll be working with community supporters and other Unions who are concerned about the city and quality public services. The police who continue to serve and protect have already lost seven officers to better paying departments. the DPW in the trenches in all kinds of weather are also understaffed for the same reason. The Fire Department, who have also submitted a reasonable, modest proposal have been ignored by the city manager. They are anxiously awaiting their own neutral fact finder’s report. The Fire Service has lost at least 3 firefighters because of stagnant wages and low morale.

FULL story at link.