AFSCME Local representatives and multiple city employees urged the Committee of the Whole to meet with union negotiators and approve equitable wage increases, saying members perform essential but often unseen work across many departments.

Union leaders from AFSCME Local 37/38 and members who identified themselves by name described duties that include billing and customer service at CWLP, cemetery operations, library services, road and permit coordination, and administrative tasks that keep departments functioning. "We are the backbone of the city," said Amy Washington, president of AFSCME 37/38. Speakers said their unit is majority women, is among the lowest-paid employee groups at the city, and that bargaining teams have requested a meeting with city leadership without success.

Why it matters: Union leaders said disparities with other city contracts and extended delay in bargaining undercut morale and the city's ability to retain staff. They asked the council to meet with union representatives and to address parity with recently negotiated contracts in other units.

What the unions asked for: A prompt meeting with the mayor and bargaining representatives, a fair cost-of-living adjustment consistent with other municipal bargaining units and recognition of the specialized work performed by clerical, technical and professional staff.

Speakers (from transcript):
Joseph Jay ' AFSCME staff representative
Lilith Knox ' Lincoln Library employee and AFSCME steward
Sheila Hunter ' AFSCME local vice president
Amy Washington ' AFSCME local president
Johnny McCombs ' AFSCME steward (Housing)

Clarifying details:
- Union presence: The three AFSCME locals that represent city employees began bargaining eight months ago; public-works local reached a tentative agreement while clerical/technical local reported no tentative agreement at the time of the meeting.
- Union claim: Members say they are the "lowest-paid" units and seek parity with other recently negotiated contracts.

Topics & justification:
"labor_relations": {"justification":"Union bargaining and wage equity are central to the public employees' statements and requests to the council.","scores":{"topic_relevance":1.00,"depth_score":0.75,"opinionatedness":0.05,"controversy":0.65,"civic_salience":0.80,"impactfulness":0.70,"geo_relevance":1.00}}

Provenance: AFSCME remarks and examples of duties and risks presented during citizens" requests (transcript ~5477'6602).