The Atlantic City Council Wednesday evening, is expected to act on a Resolution authorizing Mayor Dave Jones to sign a three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the City and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 234. During their 5:30-p.m. session at City Hall, the Council will also act on approving a Resolution establishing the Pay Plan for non-union employees of the City, for Fiscal Year 2012-2013, which begins July 1st.

City Administrator Doug Harris says the CBA he’s reached with the Union, calls for a 3.5-percent pay increase in FY 2013 and 3% increases in FY 2014 and 2015. The new contract, which requires employees to pay a proportionate share of their medical insurance premiums, and increases the minimum deductible amount, is expected to result in a substantial savings to the City, according to Harris. It does not affect the Police Union contract, which runs through the end of FY 2013. Longevity pay does not increase during the term of the contract. Harris says by negotiating the contract for the City, it also has saved them at least $20,000, which is what the fees for a Labor Attorney would have amounted to, had they handled the agreement.

Harris says the proposed Pay Plan established for non-union City employees, reflects a 3.5% increase in the non-union pay scales, which is the same increase given to union employees, per their contracts. The Health Insurance Plans for Non-Union employees as well as Street and Wastewater Employees (who are represented by  IUOE Local 234) have been modified to do away with the lowest deductible insurance option, and increases employee contributions for their medical insurance premiums.

The City Administrator’s position is not part of the pay plan, and does not receive automatic pay step increases as do other employees, according to Harris. The City Council may grant merit-based step increases based on Harris’ performance evaluation, if it sees fit, and based upon a recommendation by the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee.