A new labor contract between the city of Vancouver and its fourth-largest employee group includes small pay increases, a one-time $1,000 per full-time employee payment and a reduction in the cost of health care to taxpayers.
The contract, ratified Monday night with the Office and Professional Employees International Union, is largely similar to a wave of those approved in the past two months with other major city unions.
The 131 OPEIU members will get a 1.5 percent raise next year and another in 2013, followed by a 2 percent wage increase in 2014. The contract does away entirely with cost-of-living raises. They also will receive a one-time payment of $1,000 before the end of the year. In 2013, they will be eligible for a one-time payment of 2 percent, based on performance.
Starting on Jan. 1, 2012, OPEIU members currently enrolled in city medical and dental plans will transition to a medical benefits trust format. Workers will join the Western States Health and Welfare Fund of the OPEIU Trust and the trust will provide health care coverage.