More than 13 months of intensive contract negotiations has yielded a lucrative new contract for AFSCME members working at Vermont's Howard Center.

Members of Local 1674 voted overwhelming on June 30th to ratify the contract, paving the way for long overdue pay increases for the workers. Under the new agreement, current employees who were employed at the Howard Center on or after 11/1/13 will receive a 2% increase to their base salary. In addition, workers will receive a 2.6 percent retroactive increase for the period of 7/1/14 through 6/30/15. They will also receive an additional 2.0 percent increase effective 7/1/15. Some staff will receive additional pay increases or bonuses, depending on licenses they hold, the shifts they work, the length of time they've worked at the center, and other factors. In addition, workers who use their automobiles for their jobs will now also receive reimbursement at the non-taxable per mile rate set annually by the IRS.

"It's heartening to know that the wages of our members at the Howard Center are finally beginning to match the quality of the critical services they provide," said Council 93 Executive Director Frank Moroney. "These skilled and dedicated workers work hard every day to provide quality care to some of the most vulnerable members of society. We're pleased we were able to bring them this long-overdue recognition and we look forward to continuing to build the strength and power of Local 1674."

The road to the contract agreement was long and difficult and included several picketing demonstrations aimed at calling attention to the extremely low wages paid to the workers. The union also organized a public informational forum at Burlington City Hall that drew more than 150 supporters and was attended by Council 93 Executive Director Frank Moroney and International President Lee Saunders. After months of pressure, the union also received the backing of Burlington City Councilors who passed a non-binding resolution in May urging the Howard Center to pay workers a living wage. These and other efforts were bolstered by a Council 93 paid radio advertising campaign and other media relations strategies.

Founded in 1873, the Howard Center provides life-saving professional crisis and counseling services to children and adults; supportive services to individuals with autism and developmental disabilities counseling and medical services for those struggling with substance abuse, and intensive interventions for adults with serious and persistent mental health challenges.