AFSCME Local 7 approves 3-year contract

10/12/2011

Members of Toledo’s largest city employees’ union have approved a new three-year contract that substantially increases their health and pension contributions while freezing their pay for two years.

The monthly amounts American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 7 members pay for medical coverage will more than triple by 2014 — from a current range of $25 to $55 depending on their coverage plan to between $94 and $166. That translates to between 21 and 15 percent of their medical-coverage premium contribution, as calculated by the city. Workers’ emergency room co-pays would also increase to $100 from $65.

Meanwhile, AFSCME employees who currently pay nothing toward their pensions would have to pick up 7 percent by 2013, equivalent to about $2,575 a year for the average worker.

However, the city would temper that dent in worker take-home pay with a yearly $750 check to each employee for all three years of the contract.

The pension terms do not apply to employees hired after Jan. 1, 2009, who already pay 10 percent of their pension costs.

Local 7 members, who are paid an average $38,000 annually, also would have their pay frozen for the next two years. The union could then renegotiate with the city for wages in 2014.

“We’re definitely glad they’ve agreed to the terms,” said Jen Sorgenfrei, a spokesman for Mayor Mike Bell. “This is reflective of the direction we need to move forward with other contract negotiations.”