Teachers, police officers and firefighters came together yesterday to demand raises and new labor contracts. Historically NYC unions' contracts follow the one accepted by the largest municipal union, District Council 37. However, union leaders say teachers and uniformed workers need more than the 5 percent raise over three years promised to D.C. 37 if they are to prevent workers from leaving these positions for more lucrative ones, plus they believe that NYC needs to recognize the special skills and jobs these workers perform. Mayor Bloomberg responded saying that if the unions could find a way to provide better service to the city at less cost, he would be willing to return those savings to municipal workers in the form of raises.
See "Unlikely Partners in a Protest for Pay Raises", Winnie Hu and Steven Greenhouse, The New York Times, June 8, 2004