Local 225-Branch 4 members employed by Howell Township voted this month to accept a new three-year agreement reached in mediation.

The pact calls for a 3% increase Jan. 1, 2008; no increase the second year and a three percent increase on Jan. 1, 2010. 

The union achieved a reduction of the 12-week furlough down to 10 weeks for year of the agreement, as well as a no-layoff clause for year 2.The union was successful in insisting that the mediator include language that the decrease of 2 weeks in the furloughs is a minimum, and that it does not preclude the parties to continue the budget review process to further reduce the furloughs.  Also, if the township receives stimulus monies, the parties agreed to further reduce furloughs. The workers agreed to contribute 1% of base wages toward health insurance in the final year of the contract.

International Administrative Vice President Susan Resch said that talks were complicated by the township’s unprecedented budgetary crisis brought on by the recession.  “In this difficult economic climate, I believe the negotiators did the best job possible, and the majority of the members agreed,” she said.