Why? Are you somehow being slighted for continuing to work under the old contract terms? A better (new) contract will be had by not rushing things, or just to get backpay right before the holidays (and old City Government trick). The more time that goes by, the more backpay you'll get (providing there's not a 0% for the first year of the new {retro-active} contract). It's "money in the bank" so to speak. Patience Grasshopper... And no, I'm not on the negotiating committee.