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Boardman OKs pact for workers with pay freeze
BOARDMAN
Trustees unanimously approved a contract with the Township Workers Association, which represents 20 road department employees.
After an executive session at their Monday meeting, trustees decided on the contract, effective until Dec. 31, 2013.
“The highlights of this contract are that we’ve got another three years of zeros, and they’re now paying more towards their health care,” said township Administrator Jason Loree.
For the last three years and for the next three years, road employees have not had, and will not have, any wage increases, he said. The average base salary of a road department employee is $46,638 annually. The road department’s annual budget is about $3 million.
The contract represents a continuing healthy relationship with the union, Trustee Brad Calhoun said.
“The positive relationship that has developed in the past year between the employees and the board of trustees is encouraging for our township,” Calhoun said. “I appreciate their understanding of our financial situation.”
In the last contract, part-time workers and one driver for snow and ice removal trucks were negotiated, Loree said.
The road department has 22 employees, 20 of whom are union members, and used three part-time workers during the summer, he noted.
Also, changes in health-care coverage were agreed upon. The base for a single user contribution could increase from $431 to $600, Loree said.
“To give an example, they’re paying 10 percent right now. If nothing changes to their health-care plan, they’ll pay more, probably close to 18 percent, of their premium contribution,” Loree said.
Also after executive session, trustees accepted the retirement of Fire Chief James Dorman effective April 1. Dorman has more than 40 years of firefighting experience.
The township will work with the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association and have that organization screen applicants and provide five recommended candidates. Boardman firefighters may apply.
“We’re going to take the politics out of the process, and [the association is] going to help us develop our job description and qualifications and find the right person for the job,” Loree said.