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Union Contracts: Fort Madison, Lee County

LEE COUNTY

The Lee County Board of Supervisors and the union representing employees of the Sheriff’s Office have each signed off on a new two year employment contract.

The deal includes a 3%wage increase on July 1and a 1.5%increase on July 1, 2013.

It also changes holiday pay calculations,requires quicker use of vacation time and increases deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums related to health insurance.

The new contract runs through June 30, 2014.

 

FORT MADISON - SCHOOL

The Fort Madison School District and the union representing its teachers have a gap to make up as they begin contract negotiations.

The largest difference going in is compensation.

The Fort Madison Education Association is seeking a $2,400increase in the base payalong with corresponding wage increases.

The district is countering with a wage freeze:no increase in the base pay and no raises based on experience or education level.

The district also wants to provide each employee with $571 for health insurance coverage as opposed to providing an actual plan.

By contrast,the teachers’ union wants no change to the current contract.

Some of the other items sought by the teachers are more sick leave related to family illness and multiple changes to the evaluation process.

The district wants to reduce sick leave for new hires and develop a plan for staff reductions.        

The negotiations can now proceed behind closed doors.

 

FORT MADISON – CITY

The Fort Madison City Council has signed off on new contracts with the unions representing employees in the police,fire and public works departments.

The one-year police agreement calls for wage hikes of 1.25%on July 1, 2012and January1, 2013.

It also increases health insurance-related deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums by 50% starting January1, 2013.

The one-year public works deal has the same wage hikes and health insurance changes.

It also reduces sick leave accumulation,reinstates several clothing allowances and restores a sick leave buy-out program.

The two-year deal for Fort Madison’s firefighters calls for four wage increases of 1.25%: July 1, 2012, January 1, 2013, July 1, 2013, & January 1, 2014.

It also boosts deductibles,out-of-pocket maximums and monthly hazardous material pay.

The new contracts take effect July 1, 2012.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.