Paterson council unanimously ratifies AFSCME blue-collar contract

The Paterson Municipal Council voted unanimously on Jan. 14 to adopt a memorandum of agreement with AFSCME Council 63, Local 2272 (the city's blue-collar unit) covering Jan. 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2026. The special meeting vote was 9-0 in favor of the resolution to approve the contract.

Why it matters: The agreement covers the city's blue-collar workforce, including Department of Public Works employees who handle sanitation, street maintenance and other frontline services. Council members and union leaders emphasized the contract's significance for workers who carry out daily operations and public-safety support.

Council action and outcome The resolution to approve the memorandum of agreement was placed before the council during a special meeting called for that purpose and was moved and seconded by council members. On a roll call during the special meeting each council member recorded a yes vote; the clerk announced the votes as nine in favor, none against. The roster of council speakers and the roll call in the transcript show Council President and council members all voting to adopt the contract.

Union and council remarks Union leaders addressed the council after the vote. The union president told the council the membership was satisfied with the result and said, "Our members are very happy," reflecting the union's ratification vote of 50 in favor and 4 opposed before the council's action.

Council members who spoke in support praised the department's work and urged the city administration to process any owed retroactive pay promptly. Several members asked the chief financial officer to expedite payments so employees would see retroactive amounts in upcoming paychecks.

What happens next Because the agreement is a negotiated memorandum of understanding between the city and the bargaining unit, the council's adoption finalizes legislative approval. Council members asked the finance office to prioritize processing any retroactive wage payments tied to the agreement; members emphasized that timely payment was a council expectation.

Provenance: The contract resolution and the final vote were introduced and adopted during the Jan. 14 special meeting; the transcript records the resolution language, the union's ratification vote and the council roll call.

Ending: The council's unanimous vote clears the way for the city to implement the agreement. Council members signaled they will follow up with administration and finance to ensure the contract benefits are delivered without undue delay.