122010 Last of citys three unions agrees to one year contract freeze
By Sharon Haught
December 12, 2010
280
The last of the three unions representing employees of the City of Wooster has agreed to a one year contract extension, effectively freezing their wages at current levels for the coming year and helping the city bridge an expected budget gap for 2011.
Wooster Mayor Bob Breneman made the announced at the December 6 meeting of Wooster City Council.
You had heard that we had settled with both the police and fire unions on an extension of their contracts for 15 months. I am pleased to report tonight that working with the Wooster Employees Association they have instituted a contract extension with the city in like manner where we have worked out a freeze for all monetary commitments at the 2010 level, said Breneman.
As was the case with the agreement reached with Ohio Patrolmens Benevolent Association and the Wooster Fire Fighters Union Local 764, the contract with the Wooster Employees Association (WEA), which were set to expire on December 31, 2010, will be continued until March 31, 2012. Negotiations on a new contract will start in early 2012, with the resulting contract being made retroactive to January 1, 2012.
According to Breneman the WEA represents approximately 50 to 60 non-managerial city employees who primarily work in recreation and maintenance functions for the city.
The contract extension gives the city some of the breathing room it needs to get through the economic uncertainty that has seen the citys revenue decrease over the past several years.
It gives us about 15 months of time where we can actually see where the economy is starting to react and to figure out our budget constraints a little bit better, said Breneman.
The contract extension not only provides a level of certainty going into the finalization of 2011 budget but also allows the city to adjust to the loss of union negotiating team members Cathy Gallo and Mike Sigg, who played major roles in the negotiation of union contracts on behalf of the city.
It also allows the citys administrative team to focus its attention on the ongoing efforts to tighten the citys budget and to finalize the adjustment of job responsibilities amongst the city employees who remain on the job after 24 long term city employees accepted the citys voluntary retirement plan this year.
WEA Vice President David Case was also on hand at the meeting to speak to the contract issue.
On behalf of the board we want to thank the administration for the chance to extend the contract, said Case adding we hope that we can still provide the necessary services to the city in the year ahead and we look forward to serving the citizens for another year.
Breneman expressed the citys sincere thanks to the WEA in working with the administration and the city to work out a freeze.
Thats a strong statement for our community that all of our employees have recognized the tough economic times and have agreed to a freeze of their contracts for a 15 month period, said Breneman.
Councilman Mike Buytendyk added his thanks to the WEA for holding the line for another year.
According to Breneman the discussions between the bargaining unit and the city have been underway since August when the city quietly started visiting with them as to whether they might consider a freeze.
We are really happy that things came together, said Breneman adding it really is all of the employees saying were going to tighten our belt and do the best we can for the community.
