East Hartford DPW Union Contract Lifts Wages, Reinforcing The Union Difference

The union difference is a tangible one, as members of Local 1174 of Council 4 AFSCME, East Hartford public works employees, will tell you. 

Earlier this year, the Union and the Town reached agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement that significantly raises wages to a level that will keep dedicated, productive employees working in East Hartford.  

The four-year contract, which is retroactive to July 1, 2021, provides general wage increases totaling 7.25% over its four-year duration (2% retroactively, followed 1.25%, 2% and 2%).  

To[ promote retention, the agreement also raises hourly wages by $2 an hour in the second year, followed by hourly wage increases of $1 an hour in succeeding years, along with a one-time lump sum payment of $3,000. 

Local 1174 President Jason Fox, a fleet services mechanic, said the contract settlement not only improves wages and working conditions, but also holds the line on health insurance premium share increases until the end of the final year, and contains no-layoff protection 

“Our main goal was to lift up pay levels for the entire union body,” he said. “We achieved that. The wage increases we secured will make it more attractive for our members to stay in East Hartford instead of leaving for other towns, which is unfortunately what’s been happening.” 

Fox praised the advocacy of Council 4 Staff Representative Jason Wells, the local’s spokesperson during negotiations. 

“Jason has a wealth of knowledge. He has a total grasp of how things go in negotiating. He and Council 4 have just been very helpful to us. We could not have gotten this done without him and all the resources Council 4 provides.” 

AFSCME Local 1174 represents 54 DPW employees, including drivers, equipment operators, park maintainers and more. 

“Making our wages competitive with neighboring communities was essential,” Mayor Michael Walsh said. “East Hartford residents will get a better value with this contract.” 

“This contract is truly a recognition that Local 1174 is truly a partner in providing quality, effective services to our town,” Walsh added.