Southington OKs New Labor Deal For Public Works Employees

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The men and women charged with maintaining town facilities and keeping the roads safe will get pay raises over the next three years following recent ratification of a new labor pact.

But given the inflation that has, seemingly, made everything more expensive, local leaders said the pay raises negotiated are more than fair to taxpayers.

The Southington Town Council voted 9-0 at its last meeting to approve a new three-year contract with the town's public works union, Local 1303-26 of Council #4 AFSCME AFL-CIO.

The deal calls for 2.33 percent pay raises for unionized workers over the next three fiscal years, according to Southington Town Manager Mark J. Sciota at the Jan. 23 council meeting.

The pact also keeps the employee contribution for medical benefits at 22 percent, with members paying 20 percent if they participate in a wellness program.

It will cover employees in the town's highway, parks and polution control departments.

Sciota credited the work of local union leaders Steve Pompei, the former president, and current union president Eric Princehorn, for their roles in negotiating the deal with the town.

Sciota said they "were great gentlemen and their executive committee worked very well with my office and our labor attorneys. I'm very happy to say we came to an agreement."

He said, given the inflationary prices ravaging through consumer markets in recent months, the pay raises negotiated were "reasonable."

"I think in this uncertain situation we're in right now, they're being very reasonable," Sciota said. "I'm happy to say I think this is a very fair agreement on behalf of our employees and on behalf of the town."

Councilman Jack Perry echoed those sentiments, saying the pay hikes approved aren't even enough to cover the current consumer price index (CPI), a key metric used for measuring inflationary prices.

"Obviously, the 2.33 percent is below the CPI index, so that was very nice of our essential workers in public works to continue to do the best they can for the town without asking for much, which is very suprising, especially in the times," Perry said.

Added Sciota: "I'm very proud of them."

For the minutes of the Jan. 23 Southington Town Council meeting, click on this link.