Fort Pierce commission approves 5% raise or $1.20, retroactive to Oct. 1, resolving Teamsters impasse

The Fort Pierce City Commission voted 4–1 on March 19 to resolve an impasse with Teamsters Local 769 by adopting a wage adjustment of 5% across the board or $1.20 per hour (whichever is greater), retroactive to Oct. 1.

Steve Myers, representing Teamsters Local 769, told the commission both sides already agree to a 5% increase but that the dispute turned on a flat minimum increase for the lowest‑paid employees. "Both the union and the city agree on the 5% wage increase. That's not in dispute," Myers said, adding the union seeks a $1.60/hour minimum increase because "the difference between the proposals is small in dollars, but it has a significant impact on the employees." He said many bargaining‑unit workers earn between about $16 and $20 an hour and that a $0.40‑per‑hour gap matters to employees facing rising rents and living costs.

City counsel JK Keller and finance staff urged fiscal caution. Keller said the budgeted cost for a…