MAHONING COUNTY Union OKs 3-year contract with developmental disabilities board

The board's contracts with all its union employees expires in 2007.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Nonteaching staff at the Mahoning County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities have a new, three-year contract.
The MRDD board agreed Monday to raises totaling 9.75 percent over three years with members of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1143, which represents 85 bus drivers, bus aides, truck drivers, mechanics, cooks and custodians.
The contract was forwarded Tuesday to the county commissioners for final acceptance.
The MRDD board and commissioners approved an agreement with 185 professional employees and support staff at Leonard Kirtz School and the board's three adult workshops in November.
The contracts for all union employees expire Aug. 31, 2007.
Intent to expand
Superintendent Larry Duck said the agreements with both unions demonstrates the willingness of all parties to make realistic decisions about the future of the board's finances and the services provided by the board to people who have developmental disabilities.
"We have many dedicated career employees and excellent programs serving persons with mental retarded and developmental disabilities," Duck said in a press release. "It is the board's intent to try to expand its programs while working within available resources."
The AFSCME pact calls for a 3.5 percent pay raise for the first year; 3.25 percent the second year; and 3 percent the third year.
During the first year of the contract, bus drivers will earn between $12.49 and $14.69 an hour; and a custodian's hourly rate will be between $11.85 and $14.81.
Employees paid by annual salary also got raises. In the first year of the contract, secretaries will earn between $21,512 and $29,079. Nine-month professionals, those with bachelor's degrees and up to master's degrees plus 20 hours, will get between $26,044 and $58,479, depending on education. Professionals working 12 months will get between $35,086 and $74,517, depending on education.
Health plans
The health-insurance plans contains cost-containment and cost-sharing provisions. In 2005, the employer share is 90 percent and the employee share is 10 percent to a maximum of $45 a month. In 2006, the employee share is 10 percent to a maximum of $80 a month, and 10 percent to a maximum of $132 a month in 2007.
If the total cost exceeds the cap amount in any year of the agreement, the health-care committee of union and management must act to change the plan and reduce the total cost or pass on excess costs to the participating employee.
The board will continue paying all employees' pension contributions. The contract also has a provision to allow the board to hire future employees at a lower starting pay rate.