Jail employees to get raises

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The 52 full-time unionized employees at the Lawrence County Jail are getting a 4.1-percent pay raise this year and an additional 3.5-percent increase for the next two years.
Lawrence County commissioners formally approved the contract at Tuesday's meeting. Jail employees, part of Laborers' International Union of North America No. 964, will see no change in their health insurance under the new contract, according to Susan Quimby, county human resources director. There will be changes in scheduling.
Quimby said union members will bid on steady shifts instead of the current rotating shifts. The new contract also will offer workers bonus pay if they have perfect attendance in a year. Those with perfect attendance will receive pay for an extra 40 hours, she said.