by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Labor negotiations resulted in a substantially lower increase in costs in the latest contract between JEA and the JEA Supervisors’ Association.
Both sides agreed on an $860,000 increase for the three-year term of the contract, which is 67 percent below the $2.6 million in additional costs in the prior contract, which extended from 2006-09.
Negotiations have been ongoing since the summer of 2009. The JEA attributed the prolonged negotiations to the “deteriorating economy and City of Jacksonville labor strife.”
“It’s almost time to start negotiating for the next contract,” said Ron Townsend, board chair.
The agreement is for three years and has an effective date of Oct. 1, 2009. Workers are operating under the 2006-09 contract.
Some of the stipulations of the agreement include no increases in general base pay in fiscal years 2009-10 or 2010-11, but a 3 percent increase in 2011-12.
Standby pay will increase $3 an hour to a total of $31 an hour.
Employees working nights and weekends will be paid a premium of $2 per hour for nights and $2.50 per hour for weekends, which amounts to an increase of 50 cents.
The allowance for safety shoes will be increased from $100 to $125.
“The agreement is similar to the one we signed with IBEW 2358 in January,” said Jim Dickenson, managing director and CEO of JEA.
The association represents employees who are in supervisory and professional capacities, including job titles from administrative support assistant to wastewater reuse treatment operations coordinator.
JEA recently completed labor negotiations with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) No. 2358 and the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) No. 630.
It is negotiating contracts with IBEW No. 1618 and the Professional Employees Association.
The contract will be presented to the Jacksonville City Council for discussion and a vote.
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