Mayfield Village Approves Contract with Nonunion Employees

Mayfield Village Council approved a three-year deal with nonunion employees that provides raises of 2 percent in 2011 and 2012 and 3 percent in 2013.

Nonunion employees comprise 30 of the village's 58 full-time workers. Mayor Bruce Rinker said the hard work of department heads, particularly Finance Director Ron Wynne and Administrator Diane Wolgamuth, enabled negotiations to take about half the time of previous talks.

International Association of Firefighters, Local 2619 reached an agreement with the village in February. This leaves the police department as the final group to settle. Rinker said it looks like the police contract will go to arbitration.

As was the case with the firefighters' contract, the village sought to control future costs in the deal with nonunion employees. Language caps the village's share of health care premiums at increases of 5 percent, 7 percent and 7 percent in the next three years.

Employees will also pay 25 percent of any premiums above 2010 levels. Wolgamuth said employees now contribute $50 per month toward family plans and could pay up to $138 per month, depending on costs increases.

Changes were also made regarding compensatory time, sick leave, vacation, longevity, educational benefit and uniform allowance. The changes mostly affect new hires or keep benefits from increasing with employee tenure.

Comp time was capped at 80 hours, compared to 120 hours in the past. A second tier of sick leave was created to reduce payout on retirement. Longevity was frozen at 2010 levels. Maximum vacation time was reduced from six weeks to five, with vacation levels frozen for some employees depending on length of service. Percentage increases for employees with degrees were frozen at the 2010 rate and eliminated for new hires.

"The idea wasn't to cut back as much, but freeze things where they are now," Wolgamuth said.

Rinker credited the health care task force for helping with the benefits package.

"Everyone on council has been extremely cost conscious," he added.

Rinker said the changes in benefits are about achieving a fair balance between costs and value and ensures employees are well compensated for a job well done.