LEWISTON -Councilors inked a deal Tuesday with the city’s newest labor union that gives senior employees better job protection.

The two-year pct gives senior city professional and technical staff “bumping rights” that would protect their jobs in the case of layoffs.

“This was something that had been eliminated in their contract a while ago, before they joined the union,” City Administrator Jim Bennett said. “It allows the more senior personnel to bump into other positions if their position is ever eliminated.”

The contract with the local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 93 also spells out a 3 percent wage increase this year and a 1.2 percent increase next year. The contract also requires the employees to pay 10 percent of their health insurance premium costs, an increase from 7 percent.

“I think it is a fair contract for both sides and very much in line and consistent with other union contracts,” Bennett said.

Employees voted last summer to join the union. It represents 65 city employees – including parks superintendents, building inspectors and city engineers. Only 21 employees, mostly department heads, do not belong to a union.

Councilor Norm Rousseau, who sat in on the labor negotiations, said job security for employees seemed to be the biggest concern.

“I don’t think financially they have gained anything,” Rousseau said. “I think financially they are in the position they were before this contract. But I think they feel better knowing they have bumping rights. I think this contract gives them a better sense of security.”


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