Austintown dispatchers have tentative pact

AUSTINTOWN -- The township has reached a tentative agreement with its dispatchers union in contract talks.
The two sides met again Friday. Both had previously rejected a fact finder's report, and the next step was to be conciliation. In conciliation, an arbitrator's decision would be binding.
Township Administrator Michael Dockry said the union has indicated it would accept the same deal the township recently settled on with police officers and firefighters. Their unions accepted a one-year contract with no pay raises and a $500 signing bonus for each employee.
A full-time dispatcher makes $17.82 per hour. They pay a $20 co-pay for single coverage for health care, and $30 for family coverage.
Union spokesman Frank Yacucci, director of the local Ohio Patrolman's Benevolent Association, said Tuesday the union has not yet scheduled a vote on the contract. He said union officials have to read the agreement first.
Township trustees also must approve the agreement.