Batavia electrical, street workers agree to new contracts

Two Batavia public works employee unions have agreed to wage concessions and continued furlough days.

The city council Monday approved deals with streets and electrical division workers.

Streets division workers, whose contract expired Dec. 31, agreed to a one-year pact that keeps wages the same as in 2010. In turn, the city agreed not to lay off workers in 2011, and to resume step increases in pay.

Also, workers who were due a step increase in 2010 will receive that increase now, retroactive to Jan. 1.

Aldermen agreed to add a “re-opener” clause to the contract that specifies on July 1, city officials and the union will discuss the possibility of a midyear wage increase, if the economy appears to be substantially improving.

The contract affects about 17 workers.

The council and electrical workers agreed to extend the current five-year contract, due to expire Dec. 31, 2012, by another year.

Electrical workers, who were due to receive a 3.5 percent increase May 1, agreed to have their wages frozen from May 1 to Dec. 31, 2011, except for step increases. The workers agreed to do that in exchange for extending the contract and putting in a 3.5 percent pay increase for May 2013.

Last year they agreed to defer a scheduled 3.5 percent increase from May to January, and to have holiday pay reduced.

The number of workers in the bargaining unit was not available.