AFSCME local ratifies new contract

Workers belonging to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees local 2262 ratified a new agreement with the Jersey City Board of Education Friday.

The agreement nets the workers undisclosed salary increases and moves then onto a slightly-worse health care plan.

“For the past seven years, all public employees in New Jersey have been taking home less in every paycheck because of the effects of Chapter 78 and they have been struggling to keep their heads above water,” said AFSCME NJ Executive Director Steven M. Tully. “This landmark agreement represents a real breakthrough toward providing public employees with significant relief from Chapter 78 and is a testament to what can be accomplished through collective bargaining.”

The union represents non-teachers and the group is separate from the New Jersey Education Association.

The Jersey City School Board is expected to vote on the contract sometime in March.