I, the undersigned essential employee of the City of Newport News, deserve better pay and fairness. The city works because we do. The State of Virginia just received $2.5 Billion to be dispersed to cities from the American Rescue Plan. What about the rescue for us city workers? 

I, joined with co-workers, request that the City Council, City Manager and Department Heads work with us to make the following changes:

1. A complete re-evaluation of the entire pay scale to bring up our wages based on the work we do to meet standards of wage scales in other cities with annual step raises based on years of service.
2. 10% hazard pay with back pay for all hours worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to working during the global coronavirus pandemic, the essential work that we do is hazardous and has long-term health impacts that should be compensated for.
3. Affordable Healthcare!   The out-of-pocket costs including co-pays and deductibles for the City’s health insurance are now entirely too high.
4. Change the unfair point system!    The disciplinary system is punitive, unfair and does not lead to better training or helpful corrective action.
5. Time and a half compensation for all holidays and inclimate weather.  If we work during a holiday or during inclimate weather, we should be paid extra for it!
6. A Voice with Collective Bargaining directly with the City Manager! We are tired of begging for changes, we want a seat at the table so we can speak for ourselves!

I hereby request and accept membership in the UE union, and authorize it to represent me, and in my behalf to negotiate and conclude all agreements as to hours of labor, wages and all other conditions of employment.