Elgin readies for union negotiations

Discussions are expected in the coming weeks over new union contracts for two groups of Elgin city workers.

Contracts for the police and service employees expire at the end of the year, and City Manager Sean Stegall said Monday he had preliminary discussions last week with the unions that represent those workers.

The talks weren't “classic negotiating sessions,” but those will begin soon, he said.

The police union, the Illinois Police Benevolent & Protective Association Unit 54, is at the end of a 4-year contract, but it's unlikely it would ink a similar deal this year, said Bill Wood, an Elgin officer and outgoing union president.

The union, which represents about 160 officers, would rather see a short-term contract this time around while economic conditions improve, Wood said.

“We understand the city's financial (situation). We want to make sure we're on the same page and how we can help out,” he said.

While it's still early in the process, Wood said he doesn't foresee any major issues arising during negotiations.

He expects contract talks to continue into the new year, which means the current contract would roll over until a new one is signed, he said.

A new deal for members of Service Employees International Union Local 73, which represents clerical, technical and public works employees, also will be negotiated.

Stegall said he had a conversation with a union representative last week about the overall state of the city and a proposed employee benefit consulting services agreement with an outside firm that the city council will consider at its meeting Wednesday.

In August, the council approved a 2011 contract with the Elgin Association of Firefighters Local 439. The deal included no layoffs or raises, and was favored by about 85 percent of firefighters, said John Fahy, the outgoing union president who Stegall chose last week to become the new fire department chief.