Louisville Metro Housing workers begin bargaining for new contract

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Monday, Louisville Metro Housing Authority maintenance workers began negotiations for a new contract.

It’s been five years since they negotiated the latest contract, which is set to expire on Sept. 22.

The union, 32BJ SEIU, covers more than 100 LMHA workers who take on the daily upkeep of Metro Housing units. They said one of their biggest goals is to end the outsourcing of their work to private firms.

According to the union, in 2022 the housing authority ended one of its contracts with a private firm, but union members said they want to see an end to it altogether.

One of LMHA’s residents, Angela Thornton, came down to a rally on Monday held by union workers before heading inside LMHA’s office to negotiate.

She said she wanted to support her maintenance workers turned friends, whose help even went beyond daily upkeep of her apartment.

“I support good workers. I’m handicapped (and) they found me a nice handicapped apartment. I was on the second floor. I had no business being on the second floor,” Thornton said. “...He knows he does a good job.”

Union workers are also hoping to secure favorable healthcare. Ronnie Holcombe whose been with LMHA for several years now said he opted not to have health insurance right now because of the current plan they’re on.

Despite other maintenance jobs offering what he calls better insurance, he said he wants to stick around for the long haul.

“I love my union brothers. I like the job. I love my city. I grew up in the West End. I was on Section 8 as a child. I understand the struggles that we all have,” he said. “This is something I can go home to every night knowing I did a good job, I made a difference in the city that I love.”

The current contract expires on Sept. 22nd, union members said they’re expecting a vote on Sept. 17.