Talks with mediator fail to reach an agreement

Full-time dispatchers earn $17.82 an hour.
AUSTINTOWN -- A meeting with a mediator failed to bring results in the township's contract talks with its dispatchers, who are seeking 12 percent in pay raises, said township administrator Michael Dockry.
Dockry said the state mediator, Christopher Miles, met with township and officials of the dispatchers' union, the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, on Tuesday.
A fact-finding hearing was originally scheduled, but the bargaining representatives opted to try mediation first instead.
Dockry said that issues include wages and changes in the medical benefits plan. He said that since mediation has failed, a fact-finder will have a hearing with both sides and issue a report.
No date set
A date has not yet been set for a hearing. Dockry said it's possible the two sides could settle on a contract before one occurs.
If there are objections to the fact-finder's report, the talks would move to conciliation, Dockry said. At that time, the arbitrator's decision is final, he said.
The union includes one part-time and seven full-time dispatchers. Their contract expires at the end of this year.
A full-time dispatcher makes $17.82 per hour. They dispatch township safety forces.
Dockry said the union is asking for 4-percent raises in each year of the 3-year contract, while the township is offering a package that includes 3-percent raises and a 10-percent contribution to health care.
Health-care co-pays are now $20 a month for a single person and $30 for a family plan.