A group of Springfi eld Housing Authority employees demonstrated outside an SHA board meeting July 24. The protest was intended to urge the board to reach a decision in union contract negotiations. SHA employees are responsible for providing low-income housing to eligible city residents but, according to press materials, “most employees are paid so little that they qualify for the very programs they administer.” So far, in seven months of contract negotiations, SHA management has yet to offer a pay increase. Springfi eld Housing Authority employees are represented by AFSCME Local 3982.