Union members believe there?s strength in numbers. They announced the formation of a coalition Friday at City Hall to collectively bargain with the city.

Sixteen unions representing approximately 170,0000 uniformed and civilian Bronx and city employees plan to join forces for at least six months. The unions represent employees in fields like sanitation, teaching, dispatchers, nurses, longshoremen and others. They hope standing together will help them secure better pensions, health care and wages.

The unions will be the first major collective bargaining coalition to negotiate with New York City in nearly 30 years.