U-46 finalizes transportation employees pact

Transportation employees in Elgin Area School District U-46 officially have a new deal.

The school board Monday night unanimously approved the contract reached March 4 after a year of discussions and four federal mediation sessions between U-46 and the 394-member union.

Board President Ken Kaczyinski commended both sides for "getting through things they didn't necessarily agree on."

Under the terms of the contract, transportation workers will get 4.4 percent raises in the first two years. Increases in the third and fourth years are tied to the rate of inflation and could be between 5.5 and 6 percent, according to district officials.

U-46 transportation employees are the highest-paid in the state and will continue to be under the negotiated deal, said Dave Neal, director of UniServ, the local arm of the Illinois Education Association.

District attorney Pat Broncato said he and the school board were "pleased the union voted to adopt the agreement."

Retroactive pay raises go into effect April 15.