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CLEAR Temp: 53 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Friday, October 3, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 26, 2003 Mediator smoothes contract dispute By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune JACKSONVILLE — One day’s mediation resolved months of impasse in contract negotiations between the city and its workers. "The mediation exercise was great. We reached resolution in one day," said City Administrator Paul Wyntergreen. Negotiations broke down in August with both sides stating further discussion appeared fruitless without help from an impartial third party. The stalemate necessitated a request for a mediator from the State Employment Relations Board. On Wednesday, Wyntergreen and Union No. 223 representative Wayne Botta met with mediator Wendy Greenwalt and came up with a 25-page, 35-article document they will present to the workers and council members for ratification. Advertisement Botta said he hoped the workers would adopt the new contract."I hope they will go along with my recommendation to ratify." The two key stumbling blocks in negotiations were wage increases and medical benefits. The city’s 10 nonmanagement workers voted 8-2 to join Teamsters Union No. 223 in January over these twin issues. The union requested a 7 percent wage increase, while the city held firm at 2 percent. The union members also requested a shift to the slightly less expensive Teamsters medical insurance with a 5 percent annual increase in their monthly allowance. The city currently provides workers with a $610 monthly allowance for medical insurance and wanted to cap increases at 3 percent per year. "She (Greenwalt) sat us in a room and went back and forth until we reached an agreement," said Wyntergreen. Both sides ultimately agreed on a 3 percent cap on medical insurance allowance and a modified step system for wage increases. Under the new contract, workers will switch to the union’s insurance at $606 per month. Wyntergreen said the City Council will review the contract at its Oct. 7 meeting. Wyntergreen said he did not anticipate a problem with ratification. "It was a tough negotiation process, but I think we ironed out all the bugs," he said. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times