MONROE - About 20 city employees and police dispatchers applauded the passage of the their union contracts Wednesday.
In a special session, Monroe's Common Council voted 8 to 1 to ratify the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) contract and 8 to 1 for the Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA) dispatchers contract.
Alderman Thurston Hanson voted against both measures. Ward 6 is vacant.
Both contracts are for two years, 2011-2012, and are essentially extensions of their previous two-year contracts, with modifications.
Employees and dispatchers will receive no pay raises during the two-year term.
They gave up their guarantee of no layoffs in return for a two-year contract, instead of a one-year contract with the guarantee.
The workers will continue to pay the current amount they contribute to their health insurance coverage - about $74 monthly for family coverage or $31 for single coverage. That contribution was implemented in 2009 at 2.5 percent and rose to 5 percent in 2010.
Workers were also willing to contribute to the Wisconsin Retirement Fund.
Changes to the dispatchers contract show a 5.8 percent contribution in 2011 and whatever is determined by the State to be required by employees in 2012.
The AFSCME contract only states "the employee share" will be paid starting after ratification.
Sick leave accumulation becomes unlimited; however, after 100 days are accrued, the rate of sick leave granted is reduced to 4 hours per month.
Workers may now carry over to the following year up to 75 hours of compensatory time, but may still choose pay for the comp time.
Water Department employees received a shift in their work hours to coincide with other public works departments. Their hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
In a special session, Monroe's Common Council voted 8 to 1 to ratify the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) contract and 8 to 1 for the Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA) dispatchers contract.
Alderman Thurston Hanson voted against both measures. Ward 6 is vacant.
Both contracts are for two years, 2011-2012, and are essentially extensions of their previous two-year contracts, with modifications.
Employees and dispatchers will receive no pay raises during the two-year term.
They gave up their guarantee of no layoffs in return for a two-year contract, instead of a one-year contract with the guarantee.
The workers will continue to pay the current amount they contribute to their health insurance coverage - about $74 monthly for family coverage or $31 for single coverage. That contribution was implemented in 2009 at 2.5 percent and rose to 5 percent in 2010.
Workers were also willing to contribute to the Wisconsin Retirement Fund.
Changes to the dispatchers contract show a 5.8 percent contribution in 2011 and whatever is determined by the State to be required by employees in 2012.
The AFSCME contract only states "the employee share" will be paid starting after ratification.
Sick leave accumulation becomes unlimited; however, after 100 days are accrued, the rate of sick leave granted is reduced to 4 hours per month.
Workers may now carry over to the following year up to 75 hours of compensatory time, but may still choose pay for the comp time.
Water Department employees received a shift in their work hours to coincide with other public works departments. Their hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.