Jersey City MUA approves retroactive 5-year contract with annual raises for Local 68

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The Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority approved a five-year contract with annual raises for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 68 at their September 24th meeting.

International Union of Operating Engineers Local 68. Photo via Google Maps.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

The resolution was approved unanimously (5-0) at the board’s September 24th meeting and a copy of the agreement says it went into effect on October 1st.

The contract with the employee’s union runs from January 1st, 2019 through December 31st, 2023 and comes with an annual salary increase of $1.25 per hour, as well as receiving double time for all holiday work.

Additionally, beginning on January 1st of next year, all workers will get 15 sick days annually and the MUA has agreed to consider a four-day work week, as long as roster, shifts, and scheduling are outlined in a subsequent agreement.

HCV had requested a copy of the agreement back on October 27th.

Citing an $11 million advance payment made to the city, along with 9 percent water and sewer rate increases, Councilman-at-Large Rolando Lavarro requested that the MUA face scrutiny from the council over their recent financial decisions.

“We know that Jersey City’s working families and businesses are struggling to keep their heads above water during this global pandemic,” Lavarro said.

“I’m sure we can all agree that we owe it to them to scrutinize these JCMUA decisions, to determine the additional burden on ratepayers, and ensure accountability and transparency in these matters.”

Council President Joyce Watterman said during today’s ongoing caucus that MUA representatives were invited to the virtual meeting, but were unable to make it.

Reps from Local 68 and the MUA could not immediately be reached for comment on Monday.


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1 COMMENT

  1. Because there’s no more appropriate time to cash in on public service than in the middle of a pandemic. Just because it is legal does not mean it is right.

    These are the actions which indicate it’s time for new leadership.

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