Council to decide next week whether to accept water department pact

YOUNGSTOWN —City council will decide Wednesday whether to accept a contract with a union representing about 40 water department workers that calls for pay increases of 8.7 percent over three years.

Council’s decision on the tentative contract comes as its members and others in the city are looking for ways to avoid a projected deficit of more than $3 million in its general fund by the end of this year.

Without the cuts, the city would need to eliminate 60 jobs — or the financial equivalent, $3.9 million in salary and benefits — by July 1. It’s also possible deeper cuts are needed.

The union approved the deal March 14. By law, council has to accept or reject the deal by Monday or the contract is automatically accepted, according to a letter to council members from Law Director Iris Torres Guglucello.

The law also permits the city to request an extension from the union, she wrote.

The union agreed to give the city until Wednesday, the next scheduled council meeting, to vote on the deal, said Mayor Jay Williams. The administration is reviewing the contract and will make a recommendation to council on or before that day on its adoption.

For the complete story, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.