MRDD and workers reach pact

LISBON -- William Devon, superintendent of the Columbiana Board of Mental Retardation, has praised the board and its workers for reaching new agreements.
Devon said Thursday that good moves on both sides were responsible for the agreement.
The main issue was workers' paying a larger share of their health insurance. The board rejected a fact finder's report on the employee's contribution. Workers will pay a higher portion than the report suggested.
Devon said the new pacts will save the district $500,000 a year.
Three groups, all represented by the Ohio Education Association, were involved.
Eight service and support administrators -- formerly known as case workers -- and about 110 transportation, workshop, clerical, bus drivers and other workers, had been without a contract since 2004. About 45 teachers had been without a pact since 2005.
Over a three-year pact starting in September, teachers will get annual raises of 3 percent, 2 percent, and 1.5 percent. The other workers will get a 3 percent raise retroactive to Jan. 1, 2006, and then 0.5 percent raises in the next two years.
Workers had been paying $6.50 a month for a single insurance and $12.50 a month for family plan insurance. That will increase to $50 a month for a single and $100 monthly for a family plan.