Island Lake workers in line for raises under proposed labor deal
Employees in Island Lake's public works department could receive small pay raises under a proposed labor contract set for approval Thursday night.
The deal also would cover administrative workers and employees in the water department.
Fourteen employees, all represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, would be affected. The union already has approved the deal, village officials said.
The proposed three-year contract would give workers 1.5-percent raises in the first year, 1.75-percent raises in the second year and 2-percent raises in the third year, village documents show.
"I think it's a good contract," Mayor Charles Amrich said. "Negotiations went very smoothly."
The agreement includes a few other changes.
Under the proposal, the public works superintendent now will be considered an assistant to the director, village documents indicate.
Brian Bartnick was hired as the public works superintendent in June. He now serves as director, after a departmental reorganization, Amrich said.
Additionally, the building inspector position will be eliminated Dec. 31 after Frank DeSort retires.
The village's contributions to health-insurance premiums are changing, too. They will increase 10 percent in the first year and 7 percent in each of the following two years.
Also, workers no longer will be able to convert unused sick time into cash. Those hours will count as service credits at retirement, however.
The village's previous contract with the union, which was approved in 2012, expired April 30. The new contract would be retroactively effective May 1.
Thursday's meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. at village hall, 3720 Greenleaf Ave.