Village, Public Works Union Agreement on Five-Year Contract Brings Long-Term Stability to Village Workforce
At the Village Board meeting on November 17, Elk Grove Village officials announced that they have reached a long-term agreement with the union that represents 39 of the Village's public works employees.
Elk Grove Village Mayor and Union Stewards for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 Jeff Reynolds and John Wesa, signed a letter of intent at a brief ceremony during this evening's Village Board meeting. The contract will be placed on the December 8 Village Board Meeting Agenda for formal approval.
The five-year contract, which is the product of ongoing labor negotiations between the Village and the union, includes annual raises for the employees responsible for maintenance of Village infrastructure and equipment. The Public Works Department maintains water and sewer utilities, public streets and right of ways, urban forestry and land, and other critical infrastructure. The department is also responsible for engineering the design of public improvements.
"This is a win-win for taxpayers and our employees. One of the reasons we are so effective in delivering top notch services to our residents is because we enjoy strong relationships with the unions that represent so many of our critical employees," said Mayor Johnson. "We work in partnership with the unions, not against them, because we know that when there is stability with respect to contracts, salaries and working conditions, we're better equipped to focus on the job at hand, which is working hard on behalf of our residents to improve our community and our quality of life."
John Wesa, who works in the Elk Grove Village Public Works Department and serves as the union's representative, said Local 150 worked with Village leadership toward a fair and mutually beneficial agreement.
"This contract agreement was only made possible with the respect and understanding shown by everyone involved," said Wesa. "We look forward to continuing our goal of providing quality services to the residences and business community of Elk Grove."
The signing of this labor agreement, which will last through April 30, 2026, means that there are long-term contracts in place for all three unions representing Elk Grove Village employees. The contract between the Village and police officers is in place through April, 2023. The contract between the Village and firefighters/paramedics will run through April, 2024.
The new public works contract will take effect this spring and includes the following salary increases:
• 2.50% - 2021
• 2.25% - 2022
• 2.50% - 2023
• 2.25% - 2024
• 2.50% - 2025