County approves CWA deal

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/local/index.ssf?/base/news-7/119277973185150.xml&coll=8

Friday, October 19, 2007
By Pete McCarthy
[e-mail]

WOODBURY After 10 months of negotiations, Gloucester County reached a five-year deal with its more than 1,000 employees represented by Local 1085 of the Communications Workers of America.

Under the agreement, the workers get 3.3 percent raises in 2007, which will include retroactive pay since Jan. 1. Each of the next four years, the increases will be 3.5 percent annually.

The freeholders voted to approve the contract Wednesday night. Union members had voted 326 to 112 in favor of the deal, according to union president Richard Dann. A similar contract with the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office employees was unanimously approved.

"It's a relief to get it done," Dann said.

Both sides touted the fact the deal will be for five years instead of the normal three-year period.

For the county, a longer contract saves negotiating costs, according to Freeholder Director Stephen Sweeney.

FULL story at link.