Additional insurance option also made available

A new three-year contract for public works employees in the village of Cary includes yearly raises, a six-month freeze on step salary increases, and a less expensive health insurance option.

The contract between the village and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73 gives raises of 1.75 percent in the first year, 2 percent in the second year, and 2.25 percent in the third year, Cary Village Administrator Christopher Clark said.

The contract, retroactive to May 1, affects 19 employees, Clark said. For example, the starting pay for Level I water maintenance workers will increase from $36,395 to $38,622 by May 1, 2014; the starting pay for chief water plan operator will increase from $59,384 to $63,018, also by May 1, 2014.

The village board Tuesday voted 5 to 1 in favor of the new contract, with Trustee Jeff Kraus casting the dissenting vote. “In the current economic climate and with the challenges we’re facing, I feel that these contracts are just a little too generous,” Kraus said.

SEIU Local 73 representative Nicolas Carone called the new contract “extremely fair.”

“Negotiations went very smoothly. The union is starting to have a good relationship with this new administration,” Carone said. Four of seven Cary village board members were elected in April 2011.

Negotiations were held in three meetings over three or so months, said Clark said, who represented the village along with Public Works Director Chris Papierniak. The public works employees were represented by three employees and an SEIU representative. “We reached an agreement that is fair to both sides,” Clark said.

The village had only offered a PPO health plan, but has added an HMO plan with an employee contribution of 13 percent, Clark said. “That insurance is 22 percent less expensive for the village. We expect some union members to sign up for the new coverage options, which will mean savings for both the village and the employees.”

In the new contract, employees’ PPO health insurance contributions are 15 percent in the first year, 16 percent in the second year, and 20 percent in the third year.

The last four-year contract for public works employees called for yearly raises ranging from 2.75 percent to 3.5 percent, Clark said.