Public Employee Press

More titles win uniformed status

Before a gallery packed with union members April 13, the City Council unanimously passed a bill to give uniformed status in collective bargaining to four job titles represented by Local 983.

The new legislation would cover Traffic Enforcement Agent Levels 3 and 4, Urban Park Rangers and Associate UPRs. The members involved are law enforcement workers who tow cars, issue summonses and make arrests.

Uniformed status would let them bargain outside of the citywide civilian union framework, as the police and fire unions currently do.

DC 37’s Emergency Medical Service locals won uniformed status in the City Council more than a year ago. Bargaining was stalled until recently by city legal appeals, which were rejected in court. The Office of Collective Bargaining recently ordered the city to negotiate with the members of EMS locals 2507 and 3621.

“The recognition is important for these members. They have different needs than civilian workers and now they will be able to negotiate directly on their issues,” said Local 983 President Mark Rosenthal.

City Council Member Leroy Comrie sponsored the bill. “These are first class workers,” said Deputy Majority Leader Bill Perkins. “But they’ve been getting second class treatment.”