Pay raises proposed for Trumbull sheriff's workers

WARREN — Now that an arbitrator has resolved the issue of how much employees in the Trumbull County sheriff’s department and jail will earn, a new question is on the horizon: Will layoffs be necessary to pay for the wage increases?

Mediator Harry Graham of Solon sent a ruling to the county and union today indicating that he has agreed with the 3.25, 3.5 and 3.75 percent pay raises to the 98 employees retroactive to October 2005 the union offered to the county late last month.

Graham ruled the workers would be assigned the hospitalization and insurance changes that were negotiated with other county workers in recent months that involve a flat 10 percent share of health-care costs and higher copays for prescriptions and emergency room visits.

For the complete story, see Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com.