The Citizen
SKANEATELES - It took almost exactly a year, but employees of the Skaneateles Department of Public Works and police dispatchers may finally be working under a new contract.
Just prior to the Village of Skaneateles Board of Trustees meeting Monday evening, Mayor Robert Green announced that the village of Skaneateles, the police union and the Civil Service Employees Association have come to tentative agreements on new, four-year contracts retroactive to the last contract, which expired last June.
Ratification of the separate agreements between the village, police union and CSEA are expected by next week.
The three entities began negotiations last April on a new contact, Green said, but found some friction when talking about health insurance, specifically, health insurance for future retirees.
According to Green, the village previously passed a resolution to remove retiree health care, triggering both the police union and CSEA to file an unfair labor practice.
After meeting with a judge in the labor proceedings, all sides agreed to sit down at the bargaining table.
What resulted was a three-tier system based upon longevity through which the village would contribute money to retiree health insurance.
For 15 years of service, the village would contribute 50 percent of health insurance premiums.
For 20 years of service, 75 percent of premiums, and for 25 years of service, 100 percent of premiums.
Retirees must also join a Medicare plan upon eligibility, according to the tentative contract.
Upon doing so, the village will contribute $2,700 annually for a supplemental plan for retirees and spouses, increasing annually beginning with the 2009 plan year by 4 percent.
Retirees can also opt for a health insurance buyout.
The village would provide any such person with $2,000 compensation.
“After a hard year of negotiations with both CSEA and the police union there were sacrifices on both sides and the village has made some improvement in health care, especially for future retires,” Green said. “The trustees feel we should provide coverage for existing retires on the same basis.”
The same plan will be offered to existing retires.
In other news:
• The trustees ensured that taxpayers in the village will see no new taxes next year.
The trustees unanimously passed the 2008-09 budget totaling $3,268,888, keeping in line with the budget from the current year.
Taxes will thus stay the same at $3.36 per $1,000 assessed.
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
Just prior to the Village of Skaneateles Board of Trustees meeting Monday evening, Mayor Robert Green announced that the village of Skaneateles, the police union and the Civil Service Employees Association have come to tentative agreements on new, four-year contracts retroactive to the last contract, which expired last June.
Ratification of the separate agreements between the village, police union and CSEA are expected by next week.
The three entities began negotiations last April on a new contact, Green said, but found some friction when talking about health insurance, specifically, health insurance for future retirees.
According to Green, the village previously passed a resolution to remove retiree health care, triggering both the police union and CSEA to file an unfair labor practice.
After meeting with a judge in the labor proceedings, all sides agreed to sit down at the bargaining table.
What resulted was a three-tier system based upon longevity through which the village would contribute money to retiree health insurance.
For 15 years of service, the village would contribute 50 percent of health insurance premiums.
For 20 years of service, 75 percent of premiums, and for 25 years of service, 100 percent of premiums.
Retirees must also join a Medicare plan upon eligibility, according to the tentative contract.
Upon doing so, the village will contribute $2,700 annually for a supplemental plan for retirees and spouses, increasing annually beginning with the 2009 plan year by 4 percent.
Retirees can also opt for a health insurance buyout.
The village would provide any such person with $2,000 compensation.
“After a hard year of negotiations with both CSEA and the police union there were sacrifices on both sides and the village has made some improvement in health care, especially for future retires,” Green said. “The trustees feel we should provide coverage for existing retires on the same basis.”
The same plan will be offered to existing retires.
In other news:
• The trustees ensured that taxpayers in the village will see no new taxes next year.
The trustees unanimously passed the 2008-09 budget totaling $3,268,888, keeping in line with the budget from the current year.
Taxes will thus stay the same at $3.36 per $1,000 assessed.
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
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