Mount Prospect reaches labor deal with public works employees

After a two-month negotiation, Mount Prospect has reached a new three-year agreement with its 39 unionized public works employees serving as mechanics, electricians and maintenance workers.

The deal with International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 is retroactive to May 1 and will expire at the end of 2015.

Under the agreement, there will be no wage increase until May 1, 2013, when there will be a 1-percent salary hike. Another 1-percent hike will occur on Nov. 1, 2013, followed by 1-percent increases on Jan. 1, 2014, July 1, 2014, Jan. 1, 2015 and July 1, 2015. The last increase would be accompanied by a one-time payment of $500 and, possibly, an additional $250 if village revenues increase by more than 3.5 percent between Jan. 1, 2015 and July 1, 2015 over the previous year.

In addition, the starting pay rate for mechanics and electricians will increase from the current $53,456 to $56,742 in 2015, and the top pay rate will increase from $72,280 to $76,731 in 2015. The starting pay rate for maintenance workers will increase from $50,623 to $53,622 in 2015 and the top pay rate will increase from $68,578 to $72,800 in 2015.

The village will pay the local a monthly health insurance premium based on the coverage level for employees, which has historically been lower than the rates the village typically obtains.

Mayor Irvana Wilks said the agreement will help the village as it budgets for the next three years.

“This was a good negotiation for us,” she said. “It respects the employees, but it also respects the taxpayers.”