Algonquin, public workers approve new contract

The village of Algonquin approved a new labor agreement with public works employees represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 on Tuesday, officials said.

Under the four-year agreement, 48 village employees will get yearly raises of up to 3 percent, Village President John Schmitt said. The employees work in various sectors of the public works department, including administration, streets, parks and forestry, water and sewer utilities.

Schmitt said village staff and officials are happy with the new contract.

“The negotiations went well. We managed to have another contract without step and grade increases, which saves the taxpayers money, ” Schmitt said. “This is basically a merit system. It’s not just automatic increases, it’s a maximum 3-percent based on merit.”

Union officials weren’t immediately available for comment.

The previous two-year contract called for 2-percent raises and also had no step and grade increases, said Michael Kumbera, assistant to the village manager. Salaries for the union employees range between $39,892 for a maintenance worker I and $67,255 for a water operator, he said.

The new agreement, already ratified by union members, is retroactive to May 1.