Youngstown schools' AFSCME workers reach new 3-year deal

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown Board of Education and its three unions have agreed to a new three-year deal.

The city school board approved the deal with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Locals 1143, 1143-A and 1143-B Wednesday. The union locals approved it last Thursday. A news release said those units represent non-certificated employees such as educational assistants, secretaries, custodians, bus drivers and food-service employees.

Starting July 1, those workers will have their health care plans through the Stark County Council of Governments insurance consortium. That will allow them to continue contributing 10 percent toward health care premium costs and the district will no longer be the self-insured health care provider for those employees. It was not known late Wednesday how much money the district would save through the new pact.

It also includes a transition into the new health plan by incentive payments structured over the next two years and 2-percent pay raises during each of the next three years, effective Feb. 1, 2015. The second and third years of the contract begin Feb. 1, 2016, and Feb. 1, 2017.

“We appreciate the efforts of both the non-certificated employees and the administration in working so diligently to reach a balanced agreement that is beneficial to the students of the Youngstown City School District,” said board President Brenda Kimble in a prepared statement. “The board is also pleased that all parties recognize the need to reduce health care costs and look at other efficient and effective ways to manage associated rising costs.”

District Treasurer James Reinhard called the agreement in a prepared statement “a positive step toward stabilizing and strengthening the financial wellness of the district.”