SUNBURY - Approximately 175 Northumberland County employees who are members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) will receive wage increases in the next few years, but also pay more in health insurance under a new, four-year contract agreement reached Tuesday.
The labor-management agreement between the county and SEIU, Local 668, Pennsylvania Social Services Union, which is retroactive to July 1, 2010, calls for caseworkers and support staff in Children and Youth Services, Area Agency on Aging, Mental Health/Mental Retardation and Adult Services to receive across-the-board wage increases of $1, 75 cents and 50 cents in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. No increases were granted for 2010.
During the term of the agreement, employees shall pay toward their elected insurance coverage as follows:
- No change in 2010.
- Effective July 1, 2011 - The lesser of 12.5 percent of the monthly premiums or specified caps.
- Effective July 1, 2012 - The lesser of 12.5 percent of the monthly premiums or specified caps.
- Effective July 1, 2013 - The lesser of 20 percent of the monthly premiums or specified caps.
The following is a list of the caps (maximum payment) in 2011, 2012 and 2013 for the various types of coverage:
Single - $55.29 per month in 2011, $64.22 per month in 2012, and $$77.06 per month in 2013.
Two-party - $109.84 per month in 2011, $127.33 per month in 2012, and $153.27 per month in 2013.
Family - $138.50 per month in 2011, $160.76 per month in 2012, and $192.91 per month in 2013.
The previous contract required all employees to pay $40 per month toward health insurance.
The new pact calls for eligible employees to be entitled to a total of 12 work weeks of family unpaid leave during any 12-month period to care for his or her spouse, son, daughter or parent if they have a serious health condition that makes them unable to perform the functions of their position.
Employees, except for those carrying a pager, required to work in excess of 37 1/2 hours in a work week shall be entitled to compensatory time hour for hour for 40 hours worked. All compensatory time provided in the agreement shall be taken within 90 calendar days of the entitlement or be paid to the employee on the first pay after 90 days. The prior contract required employees to take compensatory time within 60 days.
An employee assigned the duty of carrying a pager shall be entitled to receive a separate check in the amounts listed in the following schedule:
- $325 per week (formerly $300 per week).
- $350 per week that includes a holiday (newly-added language).
- $200 per week for resource coordinator, intensive case manager and homekeepers.
- $225 per week that includes a holiday (newly-added language).