County approves contract with assistant DAs, public defenders
Details of the contract the Washington County commissioners approved last week with assistant district attorneys and assistant public defenders, members of Teamsters Local 249, include retroactive pay increases for 2015 and this year.
Employees will be receiving 1.5 percent raises for three six-month periods that already have passed, and another 1.5 percent raise retroactive to July 1 of this year. The contract also includes 1.5 percent increases for each half of 2017 and 1.5 percent for 2018. The maximum salary for employees of these departments was $66,341 as of 2014.
The employees’ contribution to the health insurance plan was 10 percent of the monthly premium cost this year and last year. It will increase to 11.5 percent for 2017 and 12.5 percent for 2018.
Having settled one contract, the county also began talks with workers from Children and Youth Services and court-related/court-appointed staffers, all members of Service Employees International Union Local 668.
Employees of Washington County government, who are members of SEIU Local 668, and the Washington County Health Center, who belong to Health Care PA, do not yet have a meeting scheduled with the county.
“We’re looking to schedule one in October,” said Toni Vallone, business agent for SEIU Local 668, who noted the groups will be negotiating a joint contract.
With about 500 members, these groups constitute the largest bargaining unit in county government. The union is now surveying members on wages, health insurance, scheduling, issues and concerns.
“They all expire Dec. 31,” Director of Administration Scott Fergus said of the three contracts. “We all are hopeful to have a contract before then.”
Vallone expressed a similar goal.