Mundelein public works employees get raises in new 5-year contract
Mundelein's public works employees will get pay raises under a five-year contract approved Monday night.
The deal covers 27 employees who are part of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150.
According to Village Administrator John Lobaito, the deal gives maintenance technicians and crew leaders 2.75 percent pay raises the first year, 2.5 percent raises the second year, 2.75 percent raises the third year and 2 percent raises in each of the final two years of the contract.
The pact sets the starting salary for a public works employee at $48,853, a 2.75 percent increase over the previous deal's $47,546 starting pay, Lobaito said.
The village board approved the deal unanimously and with little discussion.
The contract replaces a three-year deal that expires April 30. Aside from the raises, the new deal doesn't differ significantly from its predecessor, Lobaito said.
Lobaito called the negotiations with the union "very amicable."
"We met with the negotiating team twice," he said. "We came to agreement very quickly."
Lobaito praised the employees for their efforts during the process.
"They were realistic in their requests, (they) acted in the spirit of cooperation and they understood the value of employment with the village of Mundelein," Lobaito said.