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Home > Leadership > Mayor > Archive Press Releases > 2007 Archives > June 2007 > Lifting of the Wage Freeze. What Does It Mean?

Lifting of the Wage Freeze. What Does It Mean?


Of the approximately 2,700 city employees (excluding Board of Education, BMHA, BERC, BSA), here’s what today’s action by the City of Buffalo means:
    • Approximately 2,000 employees will see an increase in their wages based on a July 1st effective date versus the 74 under yesterday’s scenario.
    • 441 city employees are eligible for Step Increases. 
    • The total cost to the city is approximately $2,200,000.
    • 1,980 employees are eligible after July 1, 2007 for Longevity Increases*.
    • For example, since the wage freeze was imposed on April 22, 2004, the time that has elapsed since does not count toward your longevity. Your longevity time accrual will begin again on July 1, 2007 and your wages will be at the step you would have at if the wage freeze had not been imposed.
    • The average increase for city police and firefighters will be $5,900.00, for all other bargaining units it will be approximately $2,600.00.
    • Longevity Increases vary bargaining unit to bargaining unit.
* Longevity relates to the number of years of employment for individual employees and compensation is based on their bargaining unit’s contract (e.g., Police and Fire employees receive $125.00 per year up to 25 years; Local 650 employees receive $400.00 on their 5th year anniversary, $725.00 on their 10th year anniversary, $1,050.00 on their 15th year anniversary, $1,375.00 on their 20th year anniversary and $1,700.00 on their 25th year anniversary.