Labor Unions Win Increase

Collective bargaining has resolved two local labor problems, as a strike by local construction workers against the University has been settled, and a potential strike by city workers has been avoided.

The settlement at the University of Michigan ended a three-week shutdown of UM construction sites by the AFL-CIO building trades. Hourly wage increases of 8% for each of three years beginning last April 1st plus longevity pay are in the new union contract.

The agreement was made Wednesday, July 17 and ratified by the 300-member UM Construction Trades Council. FL-CIO workers are reportedly more than satisfied with the settlement. UM also says it finds the outcome of the strike" fair."

Meanwhile, the threat of a strike by 300 municipal workers has ended, as representatives of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 369 have ratified a two-year compromise contract with the city.

With the AFSCME initially asking for $.60 per hour increase for city employees and the city offering only fifteen cents, the compromise will give workers $.20 more per hour to be added in December and again next year.