New contract for Geneva's streets workers, fleet mechanics
The workers who maintain Geneva's streets and repair the city's vehicles are getting raises under a new four-year contract.
The city council approved the deal for full-time employees Monday night.
Street maintenance workers and fleet maintenance technicians will be paid 2.25 percent more in the first year of the contract, 2.5 percent more in the second, 2.5 percent in the third and 2.75 percent in the fourth year. The contract is retroactive to May 1, when the previous contract expired
The contract also increases the annual work-clothing allowance by $100, to $400.
New is a provision the city hopes will cut down on overtime pay. The workers' normal workday is from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Outside of those hours, workers receive extra compensation. But the new provision allows the city to change the workers' schedules, with 48 hours notice, during snow cleanup, parking lot maintenance or city festivals.
Starting pay for a street maintenance worker is now $21.67 an hour, equating to $45,073 a year. For a street maintenance crew lead worker, it is $26.33, or $54,766; and for a fleet maintenance technician it is $57,200.