Portage council adopts two-year utilities contract with certification incentives and PTO shift
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Summary
The Portage City Council approved a two-year collective bargaining agreement for the utilities division that includes certification-based wage progression, a switch to paid time off (PTO) and a $1.35 hourly raise each year; the contract was budgeted within utility rate increases, officials said.
The Portage City Council approved a two-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the city’s utilities employees that city officials said fits within revenues projected from recent utility rate increases.
Tracy, the city’s new general superintendent of utilities, summarized the contract as a two-year agreement beginning Jan. 1 and said the negotiated package focuses on career development and parity across departments. "It's a 2 year contract starting January 1," Tracy said, adding that the agreement emphasizes certifications for pay progression and a move from separate vacation/personal/sick time into a combined paid time off (PTO) system.
Tracy told the council the negotiated wage increase was $1.35 per hour for each year of the contract and that bargaining unit members voted overwhelmingly to ratify the agreement; she said approximately 95% of voting members supported the contract. Tracy also said the union opted to place 10 cents of the raise into a union health savings fund.
Mayor Bonta and finance staff told the council the utilities contract was negotiated and budgeted within revenues produced by last year’s utility rate increases; Clerk-Treasurer Liz confirmed that enough revenue is expected to cover the negotiated increases. The mayor said the administration worked to align benefits and leave policies among departments so similar family-leave events would be treated consistently across utilities, streets and police.
Council members moved and seconded adoption of the agreement. The roll-call vote on the utilities CBA recorded Councilman Alvarez — yes; Councilwoman Weidenbach — yes; Councilwoman Hurst — abstain; Councilman Parnell — yes; Councilwoman Vasquez — yes; Councilman Zillie — yes. The motion carried, with one abstention.
The contract takes effect Jan. 1 and is retroactive to that date, the administration said; the mayor and utilities leadership noted they expect the certification emphasis to help retain and professionalize operations staff.