Statement from Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez on tentative agreements reached with several unions

(MIAMI, August 27, 2014) – "I am pleased to announce that my administration and the leadership of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees A.F.L.–C.I.O., (AFSCME) Aviation Department Employees, Local 1542, and AFSCME Miami-Dade County, Solid Waste Employees, Local 3292 have reached tentative agreements, which are subject to ratification by their members.

“Part of the tentative agreements allows for cost of living adjustments based on the growth of property tax rolls. This is an innovative way to responsibly manage Miami-Dade County’s future employee costs. In addition, members will be able to choose a new medical insurance option -- the SELECT plan – for the approximately 1,490 employees represented by both employee unions. 

“These agreements are in addition to our tentative agreements with the Government Supervisors Association of Florida Professional and Supervisory Union OPEIU Local 100 (GSAF) announced on Tuesday.  If ratified by all four employee units, nearly 5,700 Miami-Dade County employees will have the option to use the SELECT plan, which would save Miami-Dade County approximately $10.9 million per year.

“I very much appreciate the willingness of the leadership of both Local 1542 and Local 3292 to sit down with my administration in order to craft responsible solutions to our budgetary challenges. As I’ve stated on numerous occasions, I remain committed to ensuring that our government is more efficient and has sustainable operating costs.”