Montgomery County Councilmembers unanimously agreed to pay raises for three unions representing police, firefighters and food and commercial workers as well as other employees Tuesday.
Members of the Montgomery County Municipal and County Employees United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1994 will receive a 4.5% general wage adjustment on their anniversary date, starting in November.
Members of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35 will receive a 3.5% general wage adjustment starting in July. This is the second year of the FOP’s current labor agreement.
Members of the International Association of Firefighters Local 1664 will receive a 3.5% general wage increase on their anniversary beginning in July.
The firefighters also can now be reimbursed for certain cancer screenings up to $150 every three years as well as a one-time reimbursement for up to $800 for an early cancer detection blood screening.
Raises and benefits for all county employees that County Executive Marc Elrich included in his proposed budget were approved by the council.
Councilmember Dawn Luedtke said it was “important to retain people who want to come and be here.”
Councilmember Kate Stewart said the salary increases add $4.4 billion dollars to the operating budget. About 70% of agency expenditures revolve around salary and benefits, she said.
Elrich thanked councilmembers for supporting his request. “Our hard-working, dedicated County government workforce provides outstanding services to our residents, businesses, and visitors each and every day. I am pleased that the Council concurs with my belief that we need to fairly compensate our employees. They are essential to enabling us to deliver the critical services our residents need and deserve, and these contracts are a recognition of our staff’s important work.”
On X, Elrich posted, “Fair compensation for our dedicated government workforce is crucial for delivering the services our community relies on.”
Grateful for @MoCoCouncilMD's unanimous support of our labor agreements with UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO, IAFF Local 1664 & FOP Lodge 35. Fair compensation for our dedicated government workforce is crucial for delivering the services our community relies on.
🔗 https://t.co/elWzgSOZte pic.twitter.com/UIunx1h7zL
— County Exec Marc Elrich (@MontCoExec) May 1, 2024
