Prospect Heights approves 4-year contract with public works union retroactive to May
Prospect Heights City Council members Monday voted 4-0 to approve a four-year contract retroactive to last May with the public works department’s employee union.
The new contract establishes wage increases of 2.25% on May 1, 2023 and May 1, 2024; 2.75% in May 2025; and 3% in May 2026.
City Administrator Joe Wade characterized the delay in completing contract negotiations as simply the back-and-forth of bargaining, adding that he does not believe it created discord between the two parties.
The negotiations and contract weren’t affected by either the state’s new Paid Leave for All Workers Act, which the city opted out of, or Cook County’s new paid leave ordinance.
The laws, which took effect Jan. 1, allow workers up to 40 hours of paid time off per year for any reason at any time. Prospect Heights’ public works contract establishes its own agreement with the union regarding paid time off.
Kristine Kavanagh, communications director for International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, concurred with Wade’s description of the bargaining process.
“The negotiations throughout the process ran smoothly,” she said. “Due to scheduling challenges, it is common to reach an agreement after the expiration of the previous contract. The Paid Leave Act had no bearing on bargaining the contract in Prospect Heights because the employees already receive more time off than the act provides.”
Under the deal, employees will receive $275on their anniversary date for years 5 through 9 years of service; $550 for years 10 through 14; $825 for years 15 through 19; $1,100 after years 20 to 24; and $2,200 for the 25th and every subsequent year.
Starting salaries for five job classifications are also set for each of the four years of the contract. As of May 1, 2024, it will be $49,489 for maintenance worker I, $51,120 for maintenance worker II, $52,743 for mechanic, $54,697 for crew leader, and $52,743 for water supply operator.
The contract sets additional payments for attainment of certification in particular public works categories. Water operator, arborist, and mechanic Automotive Service Excellence certification brings a payment of $750. There is a $500 payment for underground storage certification and $300 for pesticide certification.
Prospect Heights Ward 5 Council Member Matthew Dolick was absent from Monday’s meeting and the only ward representative not to cast a vote.