Home | Back

Non-union city workers get 3 percent raise

Share_print Print Story    |    Comments    |   

February 7, 2010

by Laura Freeman

Reporter

Hudson -- City non-union employees will receive a 3 percent pay increase proposed at the end of last year.

In a 5-2 vote, Council Feb. 3 approved the cost-of-living raises. Council members Kristina Roegner and William Wooldredge voted against the ordinance.

During budget talks in November and December, Council and staff agreed to a 3 percent pay increase for the 117 non-union employees to keep them at the same level as 72 union employees. The pay increase was included in the budget for 2010, but the objections of Roegner and Wooldredge delayed passage.

Communications Manager Jody Roberts said the raises were retroactive to Jan. 1. She said the 2010 pay increase will cost the city $126,737 for non-union employees, and $46,736 for union employees.

Council member Hal DeSaussure apologized to city employees for the delay and said the raises should have been discussed during the budget process and not after the ordinance was presented to Council.

"It was worth discussion, but we should do it at the right time," DeSaussure said.

"The city employees are on hold. They deserve better than that," DeSaussure said.

Roegner said her vote had no reflection on the city staff and said pay increases and lower income for the city was discussed during the budget process.

"Income tax is down, and it's not fair to give workers a 3 percent pay increase," Roegner said. "People aren't happy, but those who have jobs consider it a blessing and are thankful."

Wooldredge said he voted against the raises because he said the cost-of-living raise plus a performance raise was not fair to taxpayers with revenue down.

"The lower income is not coming back very quickly, and if we keep giving raises, it will create a problem," Wooldredge said. "My concern is with the future."

The remaining members approved the 3 percent wage increase.

DeSaussure was against denying a raise to one group.

"We would create a two-tier system of pay," DeSaussure said. "A union and non-union rate spells disaster down the road."

DeSaussure said by denying non-union workers the same raise as union workers, it would create a situation for employees to favor unions.

"We can look at union contracts when they expire," DeSaussure said.

Council member Douglas Hasbrouck said he supported giving non-union the same raise as union employees. He added that future raises for both union and non-union employees would need to be in line with limited funding, and the city can utilize its more than $8 million carryover for long-term use and emergencies.

Council member John Jeffers said because of the city's foresight in reducing costs before the economic downturn, Hudson was not in the same situation as neighboring communities, which have cut employees, eliminated raises or mandated unpaid furloughs. He said to cut back by denying a pay raise would have a negative effect.

"The negative effect on labor relations would be more costly than a 3 percent raise," Jeffers said.

Jeffers said to evaluate the budget, grant a raise and then take it back would result in bad morale.

"It doesn't mean things won't change next year," Jeffers said.

Council President David Basil said city employees are contributing more to their health benefits and overtime, travel and education have been reduced.

Full-time city employees will pay almost 50 percent more for health care in 2010. An employee with single coverage saw an increase from $23 to $35 per month and an employee with a family plan saw an increase from $73 to $108 per month.

"Hudson practices sound fiscal management for many years," Basil said. "Other cities are only beginning [to reduce staff and expenses]."

Mayor William Currin said the city staff planned well for the economic downturn and the raises were a testament to good planning.

E-mail: lfreeman@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3150




Comments
By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed. Hudsonhubtimes.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.

Login above or Register to comment.
 0 Total Comments Home | Back