District Council Union 47 in Philadelphia has worked under an expired contract for five years, but on Tuesday was able to sign a new 8-year contract with Mayor Nutter. The agreement comes only after years of negotiations and impasse, and after all 16 members of the city council sent an open letter to the Mayor demanding that both sides consider concessions in order to reach a reasonable agreement. The contract includes wage increases of 3.5%, 2.5%, and 3% across the board in the years 2014, 2015, and 2016. It increases pension contributions and an alternative pension plan for new employees, the city will increase its contribution to employee healthcare costs, and provides new rules on layoffs and outsourcing work.
See "Nutter Reaches Contract Agreement With Union", David Chang, NBC, February 25, 2014