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AFSCME Local 1733 Workers Win Livable Wage;
Memphis City Council Approves Raises

The agreement establishes a $22 an hour baseline livable wage for Local 1733 workers and provides most sanitation workers with additional increases of up to 5 percent

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — AFSCME Local 1733 workers are celebrating a hard-fought victory after the Memphis City Council voted to approve an agreement establishing a livable wage for AFSCME Memphis city employees. 

Now, every covered worker currently earning less than $22 an hour will receive an increase to $22 an hour. Also under the agreement, sanitation workers will receive an additional wage increases of up to 5 percent. Combined, the wage increases provide city workers with a raise of up to 12 percent.

This agreement marks a major victory for the dedicated Memphis city workers and Local 1733 members who organized and stood together to demand their work be valued. For months, AFSCME Local 1733 members came together, spoke out, and mobilized to win support for a proposal providing workers with a livable wage.  

“Behind every strong neighborhood is a team of dedicated city workers,” said Michael Ward, an environmental enforcement officer and Local 1733 member. “I am proud to do my part for Memphis.”

“This agreement shows what city workers can accomplish when we stay united, speak up and don’t give up,” said Adrian Rodgers, president of Local 1733. “Our members never backed down because they know the value of the work they perform every day.”

“For 28 years, I have proudly kept Memphis clean and healthy,” said O Shawun Smith, a Local 1733 member and sanitation truck driver. “It feels good to have our work and the services we provide every day recognized and valued.”

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AFSCME Local 1733 represents the Memphis city workers who keep the city clean, safe and running.