10,500 State employees union tentatively agrees to wage freeze next year

[Omaha Steve]

http://journalstar.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_d26c7c0c-d324-11df-bb23-001cc4c002e0.html

By JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star JournalStar.com | Posted: Friday, October 8, 2010 4:40 pm

The state has reached an early tentative settlement with its largest employees union to extend the current contract, with a salary freeze in 2011-12 and a 2 percent increase in the second year.

The agreement with the union, with about 10,500 members, is contingent on the nine bargaining units ratifying it.

That is set to take place during the week of Oct. 25, said Julie Dake Abel, executive director of NAPE/AFSCME Local 61.

A notice sent Tuesday to agency directors from state Administrative Services Director Carlos Castillo said the proposed contract contains changes to health insurance deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums in the employees' PPO plan.

One bargaining unit, which covers engineering, science and resources employees, will continue to have different provisions concerning holidays, vacation, sick leave, injury leave and overtime wages. Those contract items were determined last year by the Commission of Industrial Relations.

Overall, the contract is fair, Dake Abel said, especially considering the state's economy. It contains elements the union was able, through negotiations, to stop the state from taking out of the contract, she said.

FULL story at link.