(Mayor's message to AFSCME employees on Jan. 19, 2017)
Dear Colleagues:
As contract talks continue with your AFSCME leadership, I want to update you on our progress.
This morning, my team presented a contract offer to your leadership that includes a 14% salary increase for full-time AFSCME employees over the next three years - 5% in year one, 4.5% in year two, and 4.5% in year three - and a one-time lump sum consideration of 3% of your annual salary.
Temporary and part-time employees would receive a 12% salary increase over the next three years – 3% in year one, 4.5% in year two, and 4.5% in year three.
Last August, Jacksonville voters overwhelming approved an existing half-penny sales tax as a potential funding source for our unfunded pension liability. However, in order to utilize that funding, the law requires us to close our existing pension plans to new hires. Your pension benefits and those of retirees stay exactly as they are. However, existing employees will be required to raise their pension contribution from 8% to 10%. We must create sustainable new retirement plans that attract and retain quality new hires. The retirement plan I’ve proposed for new hires will accomplish these goals.
The retirement plan for new employees includes a 12% City contribution to an 8% employee contribution, effective immediately upon hire. Disability and death benefits are also provided to new hires.
This contract offer achieves several important goals: it rewards your service with well-deserved salary increases; maintains the pension benefits you’ve earned; creates attractive and sustainable retirement benefits for new employees; and secures Jacksonville’s long-term fiscal stability by resolving our unfunded pension liability for good.
Thank you for your service to the people of Jacksonville.
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