PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 8 /EMWNews/ -- The members of AFSCME

District Council 33, the largest union of City workers in Philadelphia,

have ratified the one-year contract that was reached in the negotiations

with the City two weeks ago.



    The contract calls for a cash bonus for District Council 33 members,

other contract enhancements including tool and uniform allowances,

comparable worth increases, and no reductions in health or pension

benefits.



    The Executive Board of District Council 33 recommended that the

contract be ratified by the membership and the members responded by voting

to approve the agreement by a wide margin in a mail ballot process run by

the American Arbitration Association.



    District Council 33 President Pete Matthews said the ratification vote

"accurately reflects the wishes of the membership" and that the District

Council would be immediately starting negotiations on a multi-year deal

with the City.



    "I am gratified that the membership went along with my recommendation

and the vote of our Executive Board and ratified this agreement," said

Matthews. "This contract contains absolutely no give backs on health care

and pensions, does not have any other concessions, and gives District

Council 33 members a bonus and other contract enhancements. Now we will be

getting started right away on negotiations for a new, multi-year contract

that has percentage wage increases and addresses the other contract

proposals we made to the City that were not settled with this agreement."



    District Council 33 represents over 10,000 City workers in most City

Departments.