Fire, Electrical Workers Unions Agree to Pay-Hike Reduction—With a No-Layoff Concession in Return

Geneva's union firefighters agreed to a 1.75 percent pay-increase cut, electric workers agreed to a 1.5 percent equivalent cut via furloughs, and the City Council said a grateful yes at Monday night's meeting.

But the pay-increase reduction comes with a few provisos, a couple of quid pro quos, as the Genie says in Aladdin—namely, that the city will cut none of those union jobs for the balance of the contracts, through May 1, 2012.

The consent side letter of agreement with the International Association of Firefighters Local 4287 knocks down the 3.75 percent pay raise that's in the present contract down to a 2 percent increase.

City employees with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 196 were scheduled for a 3.5 percent increase but agreed to take four furlough days between now and April 30, 2012—the equivalent of a 1.5 percent trim.

Basically, that means the union workers will receive a 2 percent increase in the coming fiscal year—which is on par with what non-union city workers might expect to receive if they perform at a high level.

The union concessions will save the city about $22,000, City Administrator Mary McKittrick said.

Third Ward Alderman Dawn Vogelsberg applauded workers for agreeing to a pay cut they didn't have to take.

"To me, this is a big deal," she said.

But others weren't as pleased. Geneva resident John Devine thanked the workers for their "magnanimous" concessions, but questioned why union negotiators had to insist that the city would cut no union jobs.

"God forbid we have to lay anyone off," he said. "How many people in the city of Geneva have that guarantee for the next 12 months?"

The vote to accept the side order agreements was unanimous, but 3rd Ward Alderman Ray Pawlak expressed concerns about the city's ability to adapt quickly to revenue shortfalls.

"We're giving up a right that would prohibit us from laying off anyone in the Fire Department," he said.

The state of Illinois is discussing legislation that could cut off municipalities from collecting a local share of certain taxes—the motor fuel tax is one example—which would put municipalities across the state in a scramble to make ends meet.

A few weeks earlier, and citizens to contact their state representatives in protest. McKittrick said such legislation could cut the city's operating budget in half.

Fifth Ward Alderman Craig Maladra said the no-cut part of the side letter is a good thing, because the protected job positions are in the category of core services.

"I have a certain comfort that the people we would not be laying off are Fire Department employees," he said.