Service + Solidarity Spotlight: AFSCME Local in Kansas City Secures Large Wage Increases

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Public service employees who work for Kansas City, Missouri, celebrated last week as their union, AFSCME Local 500, and city leaders signed a new contract. The collective bargaining agreement sets a citywide minimum wage of $16 an hour for seasonal and part-time workers, and $17 an hour for full-time workers. It also includes an average wage increase of 12.6%, plus a longevity pay bonus for workers with five or more years working at the city.

“This is a step in the right direction,” Local 500 President Reginald Silvers told KSHB. “The goal is recruitment, retention and training, and we have solved some of those problems with these negotiations. Local 500 is grateful and appreciative.”