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AFSCME asks for COLA, progressive raises and inclusion in insurance procurement
Summary
Union representatives urged a 5% COLA, a progressive raise structure prioritizing workers below Austin's MIT living wage, and called for the county to solicit multiple bids for health insurance and include union participation in evaluation.
Union leaders and AFSCME members used the June 24 hearing to press for concrete bargaining and procurement steps. Nathan Fernandez and Cynthia Simons outlined a package the union seeks: a 5% cost‑of‑living adjustment for all employees, a progressive COLA that delivers a flat raise to those earning below the Austin MIT living wage ($49,316), no COLAs for executive positions, and active union participation in evaluating health insurance solicitations.
Cynthia Simons asked the county to issue a solicitation for multiple health‑insurance bids and to allow AFSCME to be part of the evaluation process, saying it has been many years since an external bid was last sought. Union representatives also requested that county childcare funds be allocated so lower‑tier employees can access childcare supports. HR said it will work with PBO and return with recommendations as scheduled; no procurement decision was made at the hearing.
