SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 - UPDATE FROM OUR BARGAINING COMMITTEE
Subject: New minimum pay at CMP!
Subject: New minimum pay at CMP!
Hello,
This is Jim Kappas of your Bargaining Committee with an update.
Although we have just begun bargaining for our first contract this month, the Bargaining Committee has been busy over the past months, both with meeting weekly to put together our initial contract proposal, but also to reach agreement with management about changes it seeks to make before we get our contract. One such change CMP management approached us about was a proposal to raise the minimum starting hourly wage across the museums to $10/hour.
We’re happy to report that the pay increase will be effective beginning on 10/1, and affected positions include:
We are glad that management and our union agree that the starting wages at CMP are too low. The $10/hour minimum will go into effect on 10/1, so that anyone listed in those positions will immediately receive the increase.
Raising the starting wage, while well-deserved for all employees in those positions, exacerbates the wage compression that is already present in our bargaining unit—that is, many people having similar wages, regardless of length of service. Our union has obtained a formal commitment from CMP to continue pre-contract bargaining over how raising the starting wage should affect employees already working in these positions, as well as positions that are a step up from the starting positions (for example, CSC Visitor Services Senior Reps and CMNH Natural History Interpreter IIs).
Management has also agreed to our proposal that any increases for these positions will be retroactive to 10/1, the date when the $10/hour minimum goes into effect. We hope to reach an agreement on wages for these positions before the end of the year. If you have questions about how this may affect you, please reach out to your colleagues on the CAT, anyone on the Bargaining Committee, or reply to this email.
Already through using our collective power, our union is bargaining for tangible improvements to the workplace. This is the first increase of the CMP starting wage in over 4 years! All in all, nearly 100 current employees are affected by this change in the minimum hourly rate--and more will see the change as we work through the additional changes noted above. However, we know that wages are on everyone’s minds as we continue bargaining our first contract: your Bargaining Committee is committed to winning a fair and equitable contract, including wage increases for more than just these positions. We look forward to continuing the fight for higher wages in our upcoming negotiation sessions with management.
In solidarity,
Jim
This is Jim Kappas of your Bargaining Committee with an update.
Although we have just begun bargaining for our first contract this month, the Bargaining Committee has been busy over the past months, both with meeting weekly to put together our initial contract proposal, but also to reach agreement with management about changes it seeks to make before we get our contract. One such change CMP management approached us about was a proposal to raise the minimum starting hourly wage across the museums to $10/hour.
We’re happy to report that the pay increase will be effective beginning on 10/1, and affected positions include:
- CMNH Gallery Experience Presenter
- CMNH Gallery Experience Presenter II
- CMNH Gallery Experience Program Presenter I
- CMNH Museum Educator Assistant
- CMNH Natural History Interpreter I
- CMNH Natural History Interpreter II
- CSC Program Presenter I
- CMP Sales Associate
- CMP Special Events Assistant
- CMP Special Events Associate
- CSC Visitor Services Rangos Representatives
- CSC Visitor Services Representatives
We are glad that management and our union agree that the starting wages at CMP are too low. The $10/hour minimum will go into effect on 10/1, so that anyone listed in those positions will immediately receive the increase.
Raising the starting wage, while well-deserved for all employees in those positions, exacerbates the wage compression that is already present in our bargaining unit—that is, many people having similar wages, regardless of length of service. Our union has obtained a formal commitment from CMP to continue pre-contract bargaining over how raising the starting wage should affect employees already working in these positions, as well as positions that are a step up from the starting positions (for example, CSC Visitor Services Senior Reps and CMNH Natural History Interpreter IIs).
Management has also agreed to our proposal that any increases for these positions will be retroactive to 10/1, the date when the $10/hour minimum goes into effect. We hope to reach an agreement on wages for these positions before the end of the year. If you have questions about how this may affect you, please reach out to your colleagues on the CAT, anyone on the Bargaining Committee, or reply to this email.
Already through using our collective power, our union is bargaining for tangible improvements to the workplace. This is the first increase of the CMP starting wage in over 4 years! All in all, nearly 100 current employees are affected by this change in the minimum hourly rate--and more will see the change as we work through the additional changes noted above. However, we know that wages are on everyone’s minds as we continue bargaining our first contract: your Bargaining Committee is committed to winning a fair and equitable contract, including wage increases for more than just these positions. We look forward to continuing the fight for higher wages in our upcoming negotiation sessions with management.
In solidarity,
Jim
Jim Kappas has worked at CSC for 4 years as a Visitor Services Senior Representative. He went to Washington and Jefferson college for Math and Physics. He combines his love for science and his background in theatre into his position at CSC. As a native of Pittsburgh, he’s been a patron of the museums as long as he can remember. Jim spends his free time pursuing writing, gaming, and woodworking as hobbies with his partner Kenya. He also performs stand-up comedy and improv, volunteers with local organizations, and tends a seemingly ever-growing garden.
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