YSU, ACE settle early retirement debate

The union said the language was changed back to that found in the tentative contract.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The debate over terms of an early retirement incentive package negotiated as part of a Youngstown State University classified employee union contract appears to be resolved.
Representatives of the union and the university administration said they reached an agreement in principle on the issue.
The package calls for YSU to buy out up to two years of service time to allow classified employees to retire early or retire with a larger pension.
Draft version was changed
Christine Domhoff, president of the 400-member Association of Classified Employees, told the university's board of trustees Friday that the draft version of the incentive package under consideration wasn't the same as detailed in the tentative agreement signed by both sides to end a two-week ACE strike.
She said the university unilaterally changed terms on several items, including the buyback of unused sick time, the grievance and arbitration language and mutual approval of retirement dates.
She warned that approval of the document would constitute an unfair labor practice because ACE hadn't approved the changes.
The board took no action on the early retirement package, though its Finance and Facilities and Internal Affairs committees jointly voted to endorse the draft version that drew Domhoff's objection.
Meeting
The two sides got together Monday to hear ACE's concerns, said Atty. Jim Wilkins, chief YSU negotiator on the ACE contract.
"I think we're on the same page," he said, adding that a written version of the document will be given to ACE for its review.
Domhoff said the language in the draft version was changed to reflect what is in the tentative agreement. She said she believes the two sides have an agreement but will await the final written version to be sure.
The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System must also approve the early retirement package and has already been sent the draft version endorsed by the two committees, Wilkins said.
It was sent with the understanding that a formal request for OPERS approval will come after the trustees vote on the document Oct. 4, he said. The board hopes to get an informal opinion from OPERS before that vote, he said.
OPERS isn't likely to have a problem with the language changes agreed to Monday, Wilkins said.
As many as 131 ACE members are eligible for the package, and, if all retire during the incentive period, YSU will have to pay out about $6.12 million over the next three years.
Restructuring
However, by replacing retirees with entry-level workers and doing some department restructuring, the university will also save $5.96 million over those three years, said John Habat, YSU vice president for administration. By 2009, the university should realize a permanent base annual savings of $2.7 million, he said.
ACE employees will get annual pay raises of 3 percent, 3 percent and 3.25 percent in their three-year contract. A story Saturday incorrectly said they would get 3.5 percent in the third year.
gwin@vindy.com