In the tentative contract between the city and Local 233 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees’ Council 4, which Mayor Art Ward and union representatives signed on August 2, the union appears to have made significant concessions.
In terms of wages, union members agreed to a 1.5 wage hike backdated to July 1 and to a 1.8 percent increase next July.
That comes after accepting a pay freeze a year ago.
In addition, the union agreed that anyone hired after the contract takes effect will receive only 5 years of post-employment health care for themselves and a spouse instead of the 10 years that existing employees will get.
They'll also be able to accumulate only 175 sick days before retirement instead of the 200 now allowed. The city shells out for unused time at the end of someone's employment -- payments that swell pension checks.
In addition, union members will see a hike in the percentage of their health care premium that they must cover. Instead of paying 5 percent, as it is now, they’ll pay 6 percent this year and 7.5 percent next year.
That’s still much less than firefighters, however, who are now paying 9.75 percent following an arbitration ruling that generally favored the city.
Union members assigned to work second and third shifts will get less money after the contract takes effect. Instead of receiving a 12 percent shift differential payment, they’ll get 6 percent more for working early or late shifts.
If I get a chance later, I’ll scan the paperwork so that all of the terms are available.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
12 comments:
Looks like Wards campaign manger stuck it to fellow employees.
Is that to help with reelection?
Is that the best he could do for us taxpayers?
Inadequate as far as I am concerned.
And he wants four more years?
let's not forget that the council received additional information the day of the meeting and they needed to look it over. That was the reason for the request to postpone. 11th hour information needs to be given time to be perused by the council.
TOO little .... TOO late .....
Bristol still will NOT be able to avoid inevitable bankruptcy .
Stortz WASN'T so bad after all!
10:47 AM
Yes.
As far as you're concerned ANYTHING he does is inadequate (definitely a personal problem).
Yup, and so do we!
11:02 AM
The council received the additional info 2 days before the meeting. Exactly how much time do you think they needed to read it? Maybe instead of "perusing" they should have gotten down to business. While they play their games (clearly what's really going on) and drag their feet, Bristol hangs. Pathetic!
12:41: Then speak to those that negotiated the contracts.
In reality, the mayor got virtually nothing for the taxpayers, especially in these difficult times.
Whose side are you on Mr. Mayor??
12:41 You with the "BIG" mouth. How much did you give? Lip service from a nobody! Tough coward. We used to call them Bullies but at least they stood up for what they believed right or wrong. Not like you!
Lets see the unions are paying there own pensions and starting to pay for the people who are retired health benfits what is the city doing for the worker the tax payer should be more concered about the city over paying contractors to do the same work that the city employee can do at a lot less money mix st etc! thats what should be talked about the city is wasting the tax payer money and nobody questions that, If you care about the city start to question the public works board and all other boards because these people will bankrupt the city not the workers. And one more thing name a city in ct the the town doesn`t pay for the workers pension the only one is Bristol so be thankfull
Steve,
Is EVERYTHING in the contract now before the public?
Or can we expect more surprises?
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