Post by momto4 on Oct 1, 2009 12:44:58 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1797489,2_1_AU30_CONTRACTS_S1-090930.article
September 30, 2009
By ANDRE SALLES asalles@scn1.com
AURORA -- City officials confirmed Monday that an agreement has been reached with one of the city's labor unions, which includes significantly lower pay raises, along with other concessions.
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1514 members ratified their new contract Monday night, officials said. The union represents roughly 130 employees, including public works, maintenance and street workers.
With a looming $19 million deficit projected for 2010, Aurora leaders have been asking unions to agree to cuts and concessions that, they hope, will help avoid further layoffs. The Local 1514 contract is the first to be ratified since budget numbers for 2010 started coming in, and Mayor Tom Weisner said it is "definitely along the lines of what is required for the city."
Union members agreed to reduce their annual pay raises. Members received an average 3.55 percent increase each year under the prior contract, but will now see a 3 percent raise in 2009, no raise in 2010, a 2 percent raise in 2011, and a 2.5 percent increase in 2012.
Additionally, the contract calls for step increases for employees in the first seven years of any position. Those increases have traditionally been 3.5 percent, and while the same raise will take effect in 2009, there will be no step increases in 2010 or 2011. The increase will return to 3.5 percent in 2012.
Union members will also contribute more to their health insurance. Under the prior contract, employees paid 2.75 percent of their insurance costs, while under the new contract, the contribution will vary depending on the type of coverage and the number of people covered. Employees will be asked to pay between 2.55 percent and 3.75 percent.
Perhaps the most significant change concerns retiree health insurance. Retirees now pay between 23 and 32 percent of their insurance, but employees hired after Jan. 1 will pay all of it if they retire before serving 20 years.
Weisner's assistant chief of staff, Carie Anne Ergo, said the agreement is "a reasonable contract, considering our upcoming budget situation." But she said a final determination on further layoffs has not been made.
In September, the city handed layoff notices to 63 employees, four of whom were members of Local 1514. City officials are still in the process of impact bargaining with the unions over these job cuts and will be until Oct. 9. The unions have the right to present cuts and concessions as an alternative to layoffs.
Additionally, the city continues to negotiate with AFSCME Local 3298, which represents clerical employees, accountants and secretaries. An additional three unions will see their contracts expire in 2010, and Weisner said similar concessions will be asked of those groups as well.
"I'm feeling very appreciative of the people in 1514," Weisner said. "These are the people who plow our snow and fix our streets, and they are very committed to serving the community, and they showed that very clearly."
Representatives from AFSCME did not return calls for comment Tuesday.
September 30, 2009
By ANDRE SALLES asalles@scn1.com
AURORA -- City officials confirmed Monday that an agreement has been reached with one of the city's labor unions, which includes significantly lower pay raises, along with other concessions.
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1514 members ratified their new contract Monday night, officials said. The union represents roughly 130 employees, including public works, maintenance and street workers.
With a looming $19 million deficit projected for 2010, Aurora leaders have been asking unions to agree to cuts and concessions that, they hope, will help avoid further layoffs. The Local 1514 contract is the first to be ratified since budget numbers for 2010 started coming in, and Mayor Tom Weisner said it is "definitely along the lines of what is required for the city."
Union members agreed to reduce their annual pay raises. Members received an average 3.55 percent increase each year under the prior contract, but will now see a 3 percent raise in 2009, no raise in 2010, a 2 percent raise in 2011, and a 2.5 percent increase in 2012.
Additionally, the contract calls for step increases for employees in the first seven years of any position. Those increases have traditionally been 3.5 percent, and while the same raise will take effect in 2009, there will be no step increases in 2010 or 2011. The increase will return to 3.5 percent in 2012.
Union members will also contribute more to their health insurance. Under the prior contract, employees paid 2.75 percent of their insurance costs, while under the new contract, the contribution will vary depending on the type of coverage and the number of people covered. Employees will be asked to pay between 2.55 percent and 3.75 percent.
Perhaps the most significant change concerns retiree health insurance. Retirees now pay between 23 and 32 percent of their insurance, but employees hired after Jan. 1 will pay all of it if they retire before serving 20 years.
Weisner's assistant chief of staff, Carie Anne Ergo, said the agreement is "a reasonable contract, considering our upcoming budget situation." But she said a final determination on further layoffs has not been made.
In September, the city handed layoff notices to 63 employees, four of whom were members of Local 1514. City officials are still in the process of impact bargaining with the unions over these job cuts and will be until Oct. 9. The unions have the right to present cuts and concessions as an alternative to layoffs.
Additionally, the city continues to negotiate with AFSCME Local 3298, which represents clerical employees, accountants and secretaries. An additional three unions will see their contracts expire in 2010, and Weisner said similar concessions will be asked of those groups as well.
"I'm feeling very appreciative of the people in 1514," Weisner said. "These are the people who plow our snow and fix our streets, and they are very committed to serving the community, and they showed that very clearly."
Representatives from AFSCME did not return calls for comment Tuesday.