CONTRACT
“I was really happy with the way our negotiations team all worked together on this,” said Sterling Heights Technical Professionals Local Union President Bob Sergott. “We come in 20 minutes earlier every day. Twenty minutes earlier isn’t as dramatic as two hours later like they do in some other places. It’s nice, I have (my day off) tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to it. The new schedule was passed by 90% of the members, and keep in mind, most of my members don’t have a pension and … got their 401k (DC plans) significantly increased too because of it. Getting that 401k (DC) plan increase, from 4% to 7%, who doesn’t want that? And you get an additional day off. The equity wage adjustments watered down to better than a 2.5% increase. (The City) had jobs that were severely lacking in wages, like the library positions, where they can’t hold onto Employees. They leave after 6 months. Certain positions were a tremendous win because they weren’t competitive wages with other communities, so we were able to get those increased – the library and a couple positions that had leadership roles and a few financial sector positions.”
Wage Increases:
2% increase effective July 1, 2023.
2.5% increase effective July 1, 2024.
3% increase effective July 1, 2025.
- Employees also received equity wage adjustments for some classifications to make their wages more comparable to jobs that are similar in nature.
- Several Supervisors received equity adjustments to increase the wage gap between them and their subordinates, bringing them more in line with other Supervisors.
Nine-Day Work Pay Period:
- Employees’ classifications will be divided into groups A and B. The first week of the pay period, Group A works 5 days and Group B works 4 days. The following week they switch.
- The primary day off on their short week is Friday, so all Employees will have a 3-day weekend every other week for an additional 26 days off per year. The short week day off varies by department.
- Employees still work 75-80 hours in a pay period and make up the day off by starting work early (about 20 minutes) and shortening lunch breaks from one hour to 30 minutes. They have the option to use their two 15-minute breaks to add to their lunch hour.
- Employees working 9-days/75 hours, who have a Friday off on a Holiday, are given that Thursday off as a paid Holiday and have a 4-day weekend.
- Time off hours increase from 7.5 hours per day to 8.23 hours per day off. However, if Employees take four days off on their short week, they use less hours off (32.92 hours vs. 37.5 hours).
Fringe Benefits: Tuition Reimbursement increased from $2,000 to $3,000 per year for undergraduate degree and from $3,000 to $4,000 per year for graduate classes.
Health Care: Increased Employer annual contribution from $1,600 to $2,000 per retiree to Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP).
Retirement: Increased Employer contribution to Employee’s Defined Contribution (DC) plan from 4% to 7%.
Bargaining Team: MAPE Labor Relations Specialist Joe O’Connor with Local Union President Bob Sergott, Jason Groth and Todd Macovis.
