City of Salisbury workers approve union contract in landmark first for Eastern Shore

On Wednesday, City of Salisbury workers voted unanimously to ratify the city’s first union contract for general government employees.

The contract includes approximately 6% in total raises for full-time and part-time employees over the two years of the contract, with a 4% increase going into effect on July 1, 2024, and another 2% increase going into effect next January.

“It’s incredible to see the results of all of our hard work and organizing in this last year," said Samantha Gray, a Police Communications Officer for the city of Salisbury. "Through this bargaining and ratification process, we have had a chance to speak up and use our voices to protect what we love about our job and to improve on the issues that have concerned us."

In addition, the contract includes language establishing on-call pay and a pay premium for working during weather emergencies and Christmas, an expansion of pay premiums for those working evening and night shifts, expanded workplace rights and protections, additional benefits including expanded family leave provisions, and more.

"Now, everyone who lives in Salisbury will benefit from city employees having a voice in our work and how to best serve our community,” Gray said.

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Employees: 'We weren't really being heard'

The vote and approval of the contract came after the workers won formal recognition of their union last fall after the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service certified majority support within the bargaining unit of more than 200 employees.

This represents the first union of city employees in Maryland’s Eastern Shore region, with the union tasked with addressing concerns about fair and consistent treatment, competitive wages, advancement opportunities and continuing education, decision-making transparency from city administrators, parental leave, staffing levels, safe and functional equipment, and safety standards on the job.

“In the past, our perspectives and voices weren’t really being heard or considered in the personnel committees the city used to do," said Pete Torigoe, a Wastewater Treatment Plant Mechanic. "With this contract, we’ve finally been heard, and I’m proud of the work that our bargaining team has done to ensure everyone will be compensated more fairly, receive better benefits, and be respected and appreciated on the job."

AFSCME Maryland Council 3 represents nearly 45,000 public service workers in local, city, county and state government, as well as in higher education and the private sector.

“Today’s ratification represents a historic accomplishment for the workers of the city of Salisbury," said Patrick Moran, president of AFSCME Maryland Council 3. "Last year, they established the first union for city workers east of the Bay Bridge, and today, they have ratified their first contract. This process is a reminder of what can be accomplished when public sector employers work in partnership with their employees."

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This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: In landmark move, City of Salisbury workers approve union contract