Public Works Union Negotiations Update

After months of negotiating and a tentative agreement with union leadership which was voted down by Union membership, the Council last night voted to present our last and final offer to the Public Works Union. This offer brings our health care cost back in line to a reasonable standard. The Current Gold plan - I did not make that name up it is called the Gold plan and it is an extremely generous plan - that City has paid for has had another massive cost increase (20%) due to usage. The new health plan being offered has the same coverage but improves the cost sharing aspect so those that use the plan more pay a bit more. The City is facing $20,000 plus per year per employee family coverage and this simply is not sustainable. This is the health care plan for all City employees and we are working to make the change throughout the City.

I am hopeful that this situation will be settled soon but if it is not we have prepared a contingency plan to make sure all City services will be delivered in a seamless and cost effective fashion....