VIRGINIA, MINN. — The city of Virginia and AFSCME Local 454 reached an agreement Tuesday, March 12, ending the city workers’ six-day strike.
Councilors ratified the contract following eight hours of negotiations Tuesday, and union members approved it at their meeting Tuesday evening.
The contract includes the same wage increases as the Feb. 27 contract that the city withdrew before the union could approve it. Base wages will increase 10.5% over the next three years. The city said the wage increases will cost $140,000 this year and $323,000 in 2025 and 2026.
A news release from AFSCME Council 65 said the contract also resolves the questions surrounding insurance costs, one of union members largest concerns regarding the new contract.
The agreement comes after months of negotiations, with tensions peaking in the past weeks. Last month, union members picketed outside councilors’ homes, and one council member drew criticism for presenting union members with a bucket of pacifiers. The City Council passed an emergency ordinance banning targeted residential picketing.
Local 454 President Scott DaRonco said in the AFSCME news release that the contract is fair, but it was fair when the city withdrew it last week.
“It’s unfortunate that the City Council decided to screw around with 62 working families and the citizens of Virginia just to get back to that fair deal,” he said.
Britt See-Benes, city administrator, said in Virginia’s update that this was a difficult time for everyone.
“We look forward to moving forward together as a team as we serve Virginia’s citizens,” she said.
