Phila. blue collar union reacts to police labor deal

It’s one down and three to go for the city of Philadelphia.
An arbitration panel has decided on a five year contract for the policeman’s union, but agreements must still be reached with firefighters and the city’s blue and white collar unions.

It’s one down and three to go for the city of Philadelphia.

Listen:
[audio: 091218lfunion.mp3]

An arbitration panel has decided on a five year contract for the policeman’s union, but agreements must still be reached with firefighters and the city’s blue and white collar unions.

Some officials hope today’s deal will set a precedent for the city’s other union dealings. The Police Union is usually the first arbitration award, followed relatively quickly by the firefighters.

What is unusual this time around is that the blue and white collar unions are still negotiating.

Pete Matthews is head of District Council 33, which represents blue collar workers.

Matthews: These people that are doing the arbitration for Police they have you know all financial advisers, financial people looking at the city’s finances and I’m quite sure this wouldn’t be awarded if the city didn’t have the funds to pay for it. So I think it shows as we’ve been saying that the city has money for contracts. And speaking now that’s why we’re trying to negotiate a fair contract for wage increases, and medical increases for our members.

Matthews says it looks like the FOP got a good deal and he believes it’s a good sign for DC 33 negotiations.