Earlier this week, 3 state employee unions from the Judicial Branch went to arbitration for a 1-year wage contract. All three unions had only the single issue of wages for July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 on the table. Both parties (the State and the Unions) ended up submitted matching Last Best Offers of 2.5% General Wage Increase plus Step. This means that the arbitrator will come to the inevitable conclusion that these 3 unions will be awarded a 2.5% GWI plus a Step retroactive to July 1, 2025. The final award will be issued no later than Dec 3, 2025 and will be set before the legislature early in the session which opens in February 2026.
While this award is no guarantee for anyone else, this would make 4 unions locked in for 2.5% GWI plus Step effective July 1, 2025...you can see where this is leading us. A&R is finalizing the paperwork to file for arbitration within the week. We will not be seeking a 1-yr wage award, we will be seeking a full, 4-yr agreement with multiple issues beyond wages when we begin our Interest Arbitration.