ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) \u2014 Fort Pierce city commissioners voted Thursday to approve pay raises for unionized city workers, ending a wage dispute that had reached an impasse between the city and its Teamsters bargaining union.<\/p>\n
In a 4-1 vote, the commission approved a pay increase of 5% or a minimum of $1.20 per hour, whichever is greater. The raises will be retroactive to Oct. 1, 2025, meaning eligible employees will receive back pay.<\/p>\n
Commissioners also approved a second motion to increase the overall pay scale by 5%, adjusting both minimum and maximum salary ranges for affected positions.<\/p>\n
The decision follows weeks of negotiations between the city and the Teamsters union, which represents a range of municipal employees, including equipment operators, mechanics, animal care staff, code enforcement officers, and community service personnel.<\/p>\n
Both sides had agreed on a 5% raise but disagreed on the minimum hourly increase. The union had pushed for a higher floor of $1.60 per hour, arguing it would provide greater relief for lower-paid workers facing rising living costs.<\/p>\n
City officials said their proposal was based on budget constraints, noting that a higher minimum increase would require additional spending beyond what was allocated and could impact reserve funds.<\/p>\n