City of Columbia water distribution workers will soon join LiUNA Local 955 union

COLUMBIA — City of Columbia water distribution workers will soon join a union.

Union leaders with LiUNA Local 955 said they made significant strides with city leaders during Tuesday’s negotiations.

Some Columbia water distribution workers wanted to join Local 995 for better wages and working conditions.

Water distribution workers requested that the city recognize their attempt to join the union in July.

City leaders didn’t start negotiations until September.

Union leaders hoped to finalize a bargaining agreement with the City of Columbia by the end of the year.

LiUNA Local 955 Representative Andrew Hutchinson said, “The city is willing to have a discussion on how we can move these workers into the collective bargaining agreement in a way that is equitable, that transitions them and does not disadvantage them.”

Hutchinson said the new bargaining agreement would impact 23 City of Columbia water distribution workers.