Naperville approves labor agreements with 911, public works employees

The Naperville City Council approved labor agreements with unions representing 911 telecommunicators and equipment operators in the public works department that will cost the city $872,000 over the next five years.

Because the contracts with both unions had expired, the new deals are retroactive. A total of 45 equipment operators and 25 telecommunicators will be affected.

The contracts were approved unanimously at Tuesday's city council meeting as part of the consent agenda.

"The majority of city employees are represented by collective bargaining units," City Manager Doug Krieger said. "These agreements allow us to continue to provide fantastic service to the community in an efficient and effective manner."

The agreement with equipment operators calls for an annual raise of 4% effective Jan. 1, 2022, followed by 3% raises in 2023 and 2024, a 2.5% raise in 2025 and a 2% raise in 2026. The total cost of the agreement will be $514,607.

The agreement with 911 telecommunicators will cost the city $357,292 not including savings from insurance plan design changes. The deal includes an annual raise of 2.5% effective Jan. 1, 2021, and a 2.5% raise with a 9.4% market adjustment effective Jan. 1, 2022.

Raises of 2.5% will follow in 2023, 2024 and 2025. In addition, the wage premium for employees working as certified training officers increases from $2 to $4 an hour effective Jan. 1, 2022.

The equipment operators are part of the International Union of Operating Engineers while the telecommunicators are part of the Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council.

"Both contracts had already expired so the approval of the agreements was critical to our continued provision of great service," Krieger said. "Both groups play critical roles in the function of our city."