Aurora laborers union agrees to 7 furlough days

Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1514 reached an agreement this week with Aurora to take the equivalent of seven unpaid furlough days in 2011 to save the city money.

AFSCME 1514 employees agreed to take either 56 hours of unpaid time off, or defer their work boot reimbursement and clothing allowance for 2011 and take 48 hours of unpaid time off, according to a city news release. The city estimates the concessions will save about $300,000.

“The members of AFSCME 1514 provide important services to our residents — plowing snow, repairing our roads and providing clean drinking water,” Mayor Tom Weisner said. “By working together, we've been able to save jobs and ensure residents continue to receive these vital services in a cost-efficient manner.”

The union represents 125 labor employees, including maintenance crew workers, equipment technicians, water production workers and water meter repair personnel. Employees represented by the union will keep their jobs in 2011, according to the city.

AFSCME 1514 is the third union representing Aurora employees to reach a concession agreement with the city for this budget year. AFSCME 3298 and the Aurora Supervisors Association reached deals in December. The combined value of the three concession agreements should save the city almost $1.3 million.

Discussions are ongoing with an electrical workers' union and two firefighters unions, according to the city.