City employees in 2 departments in Rochelle got an early Christmas gift last night when the council approved their 5 year contract agreements during a special meeting.
The union workers were from the Streets and Cemetery Department along with RMU. Pay raises each year range from 3 to 3.25 percent as both contracts are retroactive to May 1st.
City Manager David Plyman said that negotiations went well between the city and the union and said there were some changes in future hirings.
Under the agreement, employees will pay 18% of the premium for family insurance coverage. Under the new contract with RMU workers, water and water reclamation pagers increase from $39 to $44 a day, Monday through Friday, and from $41 to $46 on weekends and holidays.
The lineman pay for 2015 and 2016 increase by 1 dollar per hour. The meter technician pay also increases by $1 per hour in 2015.
Union workers in the Streets and Cemetery Department approved the proposal on December 2nd while RMU employees ratified the deal on Tuesday.
The union contract for the fire department remains under negotiations. Plyman believes an agreement can be reached during the 1st part of 2015. This is the final union contract that needs to be approved by the council.
