La Grange Union Pact Comes With Usual Warning

LA GRANGE, IL — The La Grange Village Board on Monday approved a five-year contract with the union for public works employees. That agreement includes a side letter that discourages the village from seeking private contractors to help with snow removal.

The side letter between the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 and the village acknowledges the union has expressed concern that the village might use contractors for snow removal.

While the village has the right to hire contractors, it "realizes that should this become an issue that the union will seek significant limitations of the Village's rights in the next agreement," the side letter said.

The village also agrees that if the union has concerns about the use of contractors for snow removal, the parties will discuss the issue at a labor-management meeting.

The side letter has been part of previous union agreements, Village Manager Andrianna Peterson said in an email to Patch on Tuesday.

At Monday's meeting, the Village Board approved the agreement unanimously.

Trustee Bill Holder said he liked that the contract included a performance-based pay system.

"Given the difficulty we have had in hiring people, are these new rates in the wage schedule in line with other communities? Are we competitive now?" Holder asked.

Peterson said the village conducted a salary survey as part of the contract negotiation process.

"Our starting pay will remain competitive in the marketplace," she said.