Deal would give city workers 4% raises

The raises would come in each of the next three years. Clearwater's civilian employees will vote on the plan Jan. 28.

By JENNIFER FARRELL, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 14, 2003

CLEARWATER -- Roughly 950 city employees will receive 4 percent raises in each of the next three years under a tentative deal reached Monday between the city and its civilian labor union.

The contract is scheduled for a ratification vote Jan. 28 by the Communication Workers of America, Local 3179.

If approved, the labor agreement will continue a provision to cover 100 percent of employee health care benefits and include targeted raises for 205 employees identified in a recent wage study as working for below-average pay.

Capping months of contentious talks, the deal prompted sighs of relief from both sides of the table.

"Any time you're able to avoid impasse, it's a victory," said Stephen Sarnoff, president of local 3179. "We were able to reach compromise."

Said City Manager Bill Horne: "I'm glad it's done. ... I really applaud both groups for working as diligently as they did."

The next step rests with the employees.

"It'll be up to our membership to make their decision," said Sarnoff. "We have bargained the best product that we can in good faith."

Talks began last spring. The previous three-year contract expired Sept. 30. If ratified, the new deal will go to city commissioners for approval, probably on Feb. 5, their first meeting next month.

In the meantime, negotiations are continuing with the city's fire unions.

Horne said firefighters have insisted on a one-year contract, rather than a multiyear deal. That would mean that once negotiations were finished, the next round would start almost immediately this spring, when talks with the police union begin.

The next fire union bargaining session is scheduled for Thursday morning in the Municipal Services Building.

-- Jennifer Farrell can be reached at 445-4160 or farrell@sptimes.com ">farrell@sptimes.com .

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright