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Duluth City Workers Demand Fair Pay & Staffing Levels

We hope this message finds you well and in good spirits. As a fellow advocate for workers’ rights, we are reaching out to seek your solidarity and support during a critical time for the members of AFSCME Local 66. Our union represents almost 500 City of Duluth employees.

Our work is critical to the functioning of Duluth. We provide safe drinking water; maintain the sewer system and the lift bridge; fix water main breaks, gas leaks, and furnaces; run the libraries; maintain parks; and so much more. We are core services.

After extensive deliberation and good-faith contract negotiations, our members have made the difficult decision to take collective action to address long standing issues that remain unresolved.

Issues:

Fair Wages: We are paid 8-12% less than workers doing comparable jobs in other communities. Because of this, we are unable to retain experienced employees and recruit new employees, leaving us severely understaffed in some departments. This leads to forced overtime and less efficient services.

Market Adjustment: The Police and Fire unions received an upfront 8% market adjustment. The City is asking AFSCME to accept a 6% market adjustment spread over three years. This leaves us still behind the pay rates of other communities and doesn’t value the work we perform.

Unfilled Vacancies: Because of our unfilled vacancies, many of our workers are required to work many overtime hours, sometimes as much as 12-hour days, six days a week - for years. This is unsustainable. To make matters worse, the City would like to make overtime mandatory for street and park maintenance staff. This would stretch the existing, overworked employees even further.

Timeline for Potential Strike

Dec 10: 92% of our membership voted a resounding 95% to reject a settlement proposal from the City and authorize a strike.

NOW: Members have formed committees and are actively preparing for a strike.

Jan 6: Next negotiation session.

Our Requests for Support: 

AFSCME Local 66 stands together for a fair outcome for our members. We know that solidarity among workers and unions is our greatest strength and ask that you stand with us as well. Here’s how you can help:

Join Us on the Picket Line: Your presence will energize our members and demonstrate the unity of the labor movement.

Spread the Word: Share our story through your networks, newsletters, follow the Duluth Local 66 Facebook page and share posts through social media to amplify our message.

Voice Your Support: Call the Mayor’s office at 218-730-5230 and let them know you support us and why.

Financial Support: Contributions to our contingency fund will help sustain our strike, our members, and their families during this period. Checks should be made out to “Duluth Local 66” and mailed to the AFSCME Field Office listed below. These funds can be used by 19 different bargaining units or any members that fall into hardship if Local 66 does not end up using them.

Statements of Support: Help us make it clear to the City administration that the community is behind us and values those that do the work. Letters can be sent to the AFSCME Field Office, emailed to afscmelocal66@gmail.com, or shared as a press release.

AFSCME Field Office

4172 Thunderchief Ln | Hermantown, MN 55811

We are grateful for the strength and solidarity of our broader labor community. Together, we can send a powerful message that workers will not accept anything less than dignity, respect, and fairness.

Please let us know if you can support us and how we can reciprocate in your ongoing efforts.

Thank you for standing with us during this critical fight. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact afscmelocal66@gmail.com

In solidarity,

AFSCME Local 66

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