Duluth's largest labor union settles on tentative contract
The City of Duluth and its largest labor union have a tentative agreement on a new contract.
Negotiators met with a mediator in St. Paul Wednesday, hoping to avoid a strike by 461 members of the city's AFSCME union, local 66. The union represents workers who drive snowplows, maintain the city's gas service and operate the city's aeriel lift bridge.
AFSCME spokeswoman Jennifer Munt said, after 19 hours, at about 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, the two sides agreed on a tentative contract.
Munt said details of the agreement will be embargoed until union members can be informed. Negotiators had said issues included the length of a contract, furlough days and issues about part-time workers and seniority. Munt said union officials recommend approval by rank and file.
The local had voted to approve a strike, and were free to walk off the job as early as next Tuesday.
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