On Tuesday, June 16th, the Memphis City Council approved a $601 million budget with no tax increase and WITH our 3% raise included.

There was much debate and many different motions were made and voted on.  Some of those motions were to cut the raises, but they failed to gather support of the majority.

The Fire Department did receive a $1.2 million cut from the budget and it's unknown at this time where Administration will be pulling that from. 

We negotiated in good faith with the City in 2008 to receive raises in 2008 and 2009 and we felt it was up to the City Council to stand by their word.  They promised us a raise and that's what we wanted.  While "Corporate America" was receiving raises in 2006 and 2007 we, as city employees, received nothing.  The unions in this city stood together and stood strong against the City Council and we feel that a battle was won.

Audio of President Cathey addressing the City Council

Audio of President Cathey addressing the City Council (A second time)

Commercial Appeal article about adoption of raise

Commercial Appeal article of budget as it relates to school funsing