AFSCME Difference
Organizing with AFSCME makes a difference regarding salaries for cultural workers in the private sector. Most AFSCME contracts generally include annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) and step salary increases, in addition to quality health insurance plans with low or no premium cost to employees.
Additional notable gains through AFSCME union contracts include:
- 10%-night shift differentials, time and a half call-back pay and at least 4 hours pay, stand-by pay of $1/hr for all hours schedule on standby and if called in while on standby, employee receives min of 4 hours of pay, regardless of actual hours worked.
- Part-time employees who work at least 30 to 35 hours per week shall receive pro-rated time off benefits such as health benefits, sick leave, time-off, wage rates, and wage increases.
- Workers who are asked to work temporarily out of class shall be paid at the higher wage for all hours worked in that capacity.
- Ample vacation time (10 to 28 days a year) paid sick leave (12 days a year), and personal days (2 to 5 days per year), paid holidays.
- Longevity bonuses of $1,024 to $2,576/year depending on years worked for the employer.
- All job-related trainings and certifications covered by employer, tuition reimbursements of up to $1,700 per employee per year, ability to get approved for unpaid leave to further education. Free college benefits for AFSCME members.
- Retirement programs such as pensions or deferred compensation plan and disability benefits, life insurance, death benefits.
Unionized workers make nearly $10,000/year more than non-union workers.
