Toll takers to get raises, but toll-free perk uncertain
Toll collectors are expected to receive salary increases of 8 percent over three years, but whether the perk of commuting to work toll-free is continued remains unknown.
Illinois tollway board directors deferred a vote on a three-year contract with the Service Employees International Union at a committee meeting Wednesday. SEIU represents 569 workers, mostly toll collectors as well as janitors.
The union ratified the tentative agreement Sept. 12, which allows for raises of 3 percent in 2015, and 2.5 percent in 2016 and 2017. The average salary is $48,000.
Tollway officials would not say if the contract nixes the controversial practice of providing employees with "nonrevenue transponders" that pay for tolls to and from work. Based on legal advice, it would be "irresponsible" to reveal details of the contract before the full tollway board votes on it next week, a spokeswoman said.
"We certainly have taken the direction of the board that free transponders are something we would like to see eliminated," Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said. "We have made it a priority in our negotiations."
The freebie costs the agency $455,000 a year, according to 2013 estimates based on about 1,141 employees using company-issued transponders to pay for commuting to and from work. In 2011, tollway administrators announced plans to pull the plug on nonrevenue transponders; however, several unions filed a grievance with the labor relations board. A judge ruled that nonrevenue transponders provided an economic benefit to employees and any discontinuance should be part of contract bargaining.
Tollway leaders had planned to drop the perk Jan. 1, 2012, the same date a major toll increase occurred.
Whatever happens with SEIU could affect nonunion employees who have nonrevenue transponders.