After more than a year without a contract ? and three years without a pay raise ? 500 workers at the Metropolitan Council finally have the first. That means they're about to get the second.
The workers, represented by AFSCME Local 668, ratified a 39-month contract on Nov. 10. The agreement provides a 1.5 percent across-the-board raise on Jan. 1, 2006, and another 1.5 percent raise on April 1, 2007, said local president Art McGrane.
"It's been long and tense negotiations," McGrane said. "People are pretty much relieved it's done."
Negotiators, for the most part, fought off regressive proposals that McGrane said were the worst he's seen in his 27 years at the Met Council. That's especially true with health insurance, he said; the Met Council wanted to completely overhaul insurance plans so active employees bear more of the costs, and to weaken benefits for current and future retirees.
In the end, the contract saves retiree insurance, retains 100-percent employer-paid individual coverage, and delays a 9 percent increase in family insurance premiums until 2007.
Beyond defending benefits, Local 668 actually gained improvements, McGrane said. Those include an additional floating holiday in 2006, and three days of guaranteed funeral leave.
Despite the contract ratification, workers remain disappointed and believe the Met Council could have provided better pay raises, he said. "They're not showing appreciation for employees at all. We just wonder how they intend to hire new quality employees or retain quality employees if don't set a better standard."
Local 668 members perform nearly 100 different jobs for Met Council ? including planning, housing assistance and wastewater treatment.
Judicial employees ratify contract
Clerical, administrative and technical employees in seven state judicial districts ratified a new two-year contract Nov. 9. The 1,000 workers are represented by AFSCME Councils 5 and 65.
The agreement provides a 2 percent across-the-board raise retroactive to July 1, another 2 percent increase on July 1, 2006, plus experience increases on the workers? anniversary dates. Employee health-care costs remain the same.
Michael Kuchta edits the Union Advocate, the official publication of the St. Paul Trades & Labor Assembly. E-mail him at advocate@stpaulunions.org and visit the Assembly's website, www.stpaulunions.org
Share
After more than a year without a contract ? and three years without a pay raise ? 500 workers at the Metropolitan Council finally have the first. That means they’re about to get the second.
The workers, represented by AFSCME Local 668, ratified a 39-month contract on Nov. 10. The agreement provides a 1.5 percent across-the-board raise on Jan. 1, 2006, and another 1.5 percent raise on April 1, 2007, said local president Art McGrane.
“It’s been long and tense negotiations,” McGrane said. “People are pretty much relieved it’s done.”
Negotiators, for the most part, fought off regressive proposals that McGrane said were the worst he’s seen in his 27 years at the Met Council. That’s especially true with health insurance, he said; the Met Council wanted to completely overhaul insurance plans so active employees bear more of the costs, and to weaken benefits for current and future retirees.
In the end, the contract saves retiree insurance, retains 100-percent employer-paid individual coverage, and delays a 9 percent increase in family insurance premiums until 2007.
Beyond defending benefits, Local 668 actually gained improvements, McGrane said. Those include an additional floating holiday in 2006, and three days of guaranteed funeral leave.
Despite the contract ratification, workers remain disappointed and believe the Met Council could have provided better pay raises, he said. “They’re not showing appreciation for employees at all. We just wonder how they intend to hire new quality employees or retain quality employees if don’t set a better standard.”
Local 668 members perform nearly 100 different jobs for Met Council ? including planning, housing assistance and wastewater treatment.
Judicial employees ratify contract
Clerical, administrative and technical employees in seven state judicial districts ratified a new two-year contract Nov. 9. The 1,000 workers are represented by AFSCME Councils 5 and 65.
The agreement provides a 2 percent across-the-board raise retroactive to July 1, another 2 percent increase on July 1, 2006, plus experience increases on the workers? anniversary dates. Employee health-care costs remain the same.
Michael Kuchta edits the Union Advocate, the official publication of the St. Paul Trades & Labor Assembly. E-mail him at advocate@stpaulunions.org and visit the Assembly’s website, www.stpaulunions.org