Mayor Sherry Alcopello presented a summary of a ratification item the council will consider at the coming council meeting: a four‑year contract between the city and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) covering 2026 through 2029.

Key economic terms described by the mayor include: a 4% base‑salary increase effective Jan. 1, 2026; a 3.75% increase effective Jan. 1, 2027; 3.75% effective Jan. 1, 2028; and 4% effective Jan. 1, 2029. Health‑insurance employee deductibles will increase in stepped amounts (for single plans and family plans), and employee premium shares will rise modestly by pay period. The mayor provided example figures for employee premium shares and prescription copay changes that will take effect over the life of the contract.

Other terms: the city agreed to provide a vision plan (with employees responsible for dependents’ premiums), alignment of military leave with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act and the Pennsylvania Military Code, and a change to overtime calculation that excludes sick leave from hours that count toward overtime eligibility. The call‑out minimum pay will be reduced from $65 to $60 per callout. The contract removes a prior probationary pay‑progression scheme so newly hired employees will be paid the full position rate from day one; the boot/shoe stipend increases from $150 to $170 annually.

The mayor described the bargaining as civil and not contentious. She noted simplified grievance timelines and said both parties agreed to relatively modest changes in benefits. Council members asked clarifying questions about the probationary-period language and details in the packet; the mayor said the probationary length shown in the packet is six months but that the pay‑progression language would be removed so the practical effect is the same: new hires will receive full pay for the job title from day one.

Next steps: the item will appear as a resolution on the council meeting agenda for final action.