Finance committee advances AFSCME contract with pay and benefit increases

The City of Santa Fe Finance Committee approved a request to forward a collective bargaining agreement between the city and AFSCME Local 3999, Council 18, for final action by the governing body.

Assistant Human Resources Director Sarah Bolater Gonzales told the committee the union has ratified the agreement and described its key provisions. "Both parties worked diligently to reach an agreement that is beneficial to AFSCME employees and the city," Bolater Gonzales said.

The contract package summarized in the staff report included a 3% salary increase; the second and third hybrid parity increases (timing described in the agreement); a $1,000 retention incentive for employees who remain employed at least six months, effective Sept. 27, 2025 if approved; increases to shift differentials (swing shift from $1.00 to $1.45 per hour and graveyard shift from $1.75 to $1.95 per hour); tool allowance increase from $400 to $700 for employees required to maintain tools; uniform allowance increase from up to $500 to up to $700; safety footwear increase from $200 to $400 per year for required employees; and upgraded bilingual incentive pay (from $40 to $100 per month for demonstrated Spanish speaking proficiency and a new $140 per month level for Spanish speaking, reading and writing proficiency).

Committee members had no further questions. A motion and second to approve the item carried on a roll-call vote. Councilor Cassatt, Councilor Lindell, Councilor Faulkner, Councilor Lee Garcia and Chair Meriworth voted yes. The committee record shows the union had ratified the agreement and that final approval by the full governing body remains to be completed at a subsequent meeting.

The contract was presented as a measure intended to help with recruitment and retention of city workers who perform public-facing and operational tasks. The staff packet included the detailed wage and stipend changes described at the committee meeting.