I may actually be getting a 6% COLA increase at work in January

**starsapphire** · 12-07-2006, 11:53 PM

My job is a union job and we've been working without a contract since August. Over the last several years partly due to apathy on the part of union members, management has been raking us over the coals, trying to cut our department's budget (which would result in hiring freezes, mandatory time off, etc.) and pitifully meager COLA's. We've only gotten 2 COLAs in the last 5years, the first one was 2%, and the last one was 1%. Plus our health insurance keeps going up every year. We actually fall behind financially every year.

Well the union members have finally gotten our act together, mostly because it was an outrage that at the bargaining table, management's first offer was a 1% cola spread over three years! What a slap in the face. They always cry poor mouth, we're broke, we cant pay you more while voting themselves nice 7.5% payraises, happen to find money for other projects like hiring outside private firms to study our job specs, appropriate $200,000 to investigate building another building etc. And its a crying shame that there are actually people who work where I work who qualify for state aid because they aren't getting paid enough. So we got mad, started showing up at Board of Sups meetings, picketing, etc. I heard today at almost 5pm from one of the custodians that he got a call from someone at the union and management brought to the table an offer of a 3% cola as of 1/1/07, another 3% at the end of January, and another one later on in the year. And supposedly they gave us all our other demands too (don't remember what they are at the moment).

So as of right now this is unofficial and the union rep in our office is off work tomorrow but she's supposed to call us as soon as she finds out anything. I really hope its true because I'm due for my 5% merit increase in January also and its really exciting because I can actually take that whole 11% and throw it into my ROTH every month. I've really been trying to brainstorm ways to get some extra money because I need to start seriously funding my ROTH account. I started to save for retirement really late and don't want to be working in my 70's, I have a goal to retire at 60 even though I did the math and it says no and when I get neat little suprises like this it makes me think that its actually possible!

Thanks for listening to me ramble

**MarshHen** · 12-08-2006, 05:15 AM

This is wonderful and I truly hope everything works out for you. Looks like it's been a long time coming.

**FrugalMomof3** · 12-08-2006, 08:07 AM

I hope everything works out for you, cross your fingers and pray and I will keep you in my prayers as well.

**banana** · 12-08-2006, 08:09 AM

That is great news! I hope it all works out!

**autumnlynn** · 12-08-2006, 09:33 AM

Wow, this is really great! Hope it all works out.

**starsapphire** · 12-08-2006, 03:54 PM

Well its unofficially official according to my supervisor. 3% in January, another 3% in July (not two in Jan) and if the job classification review later on in the year says we're underpaid, (not holding my breath) another cola but I'm not counting on that last one. Plus my 5% merit increase in Jan. Woohoo! Looks like I won't be choosing between food and medication in my old age after all!

The bad news is that it looks like they're raising our health ins. premiums again. But thats a meet and confer item, it won't be happening right away at least.

**danni** · 12-08-2006, 04:15 PM

Wow!! Great news on the raise and hopefully they won't raise premiums too much.

**Telephus44** · 12-08-2006, 05:17 PM

Congratulations - I'm so glad it worked out for you!!

I think just about everyone's health insurance premiums go up every year, so I wouldn't hold my breath about them staying the same. Every place I've ever worked they went up yearly, same for DH. It only makes logical sense with the cost of health care rising so much year after year (not that it should, but that's what it does! and that's a whole other rant).