AFSCME Local 2403 members with The City of Athens have successfully negotiated and ratified their new three-year union contract, including substantial gains for paid leave and paid time off. In addition to fair pay, the negotiating team understood that having the safety and security of needed time off to spend with family and loved ones is also essential.  

In the contract, members negotiated an additional day of paid personal leave, 200 hours of paid parental leave, and paid union leave time for members who want to participate in AFSCME Ohio Council 8 Convention-related activities. Long-term employees also gained 5 weeks of paid vacation after 20 years of service, a reduction from the previous 25-year threshold. This means members can access five weeks of vacation time five years earlier.

AFSCME Local 2403 President Glen Going Jr. believes his members are satisfied with this contract. Winning a pay raise that will be applied fairly across the board was important, as was the increased time off. "Anytime our members can have more time to spend with their families is a win in my book." AFSCME Local members voted overwhelmingly to adopt the contract, which was subsequently passed by the Athens City Council. The contract will go into effect at the end of this month.