Weathersfield workers have their wages frozen

May 26, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

MINERAL RIDGE

Weathersfield Township trustees say all township employees will face a 31-month wage freeze, June 1 to Dec. 31, 2013.

Trustees voted this week to approve the wage freeze in new contracts for the township road and police departments.

Action on other contracts, which include clerical staff and supervisors, will come later this year, trustees said.

Trustee Marvin McBride commented after approval of the road department contract: “I’m proud of them.” Co-chairman Steve Gerberry added, “I think the residents should be proud of them, too.”

Six patrolmen represented by the Ohio Patrolman’s Benevolent Association and four road departments employees who serve as mechanics or cemetery employees are represented by the Ohio Civil Services Employees Association.

Along with the wage freeze, negotiations have prompted formation of a Health Care Review Committee.

The committee will meet regularly to discuss cost-saving measures and to keep up to date with heath-care industry changes. The committee will make recommendations to the trustees about which plans are best for both the township and employees.

Trustees chairman James Stoddard said that although it would be premature to give a figure the township expects to lose under a new state budget, he added trustees know they are going to lose money.