New Union Deals Include 3 Percent Raises

Thanks to a tough economy, the city's union workers haven't gotten a raise since 2009. That changed Tuesday night.

City council unanimously approved five agreements between unions and the city to give some employees a three percent raise, which will be back dated to January 2012.

Agreements were reached with the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (OPBA) representing dispatchers, patrol units and sergeants of the police department and Teamsters Local #436 representing the wastewater treatment workers.

These deals include two years with a three percent increase, expiring in March 2014. All the deals include employees paying more for health care.

The agreement with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) representing parks and recreation employees, also expires in 2014, but has has one year with a three percent increase.

“These are coming off of years of concession and no pay increase,” Morris said.

He said there are still three open agreements he hopes to have to council by the June 26 meeting.