Published: August 31, 2008 10:32 pm      

Housing workers get new deal

More than three and a half years after their last contract expired, Johnstown Housing Authority officials and union employees finally have a new deal.

The 4-year pact, stretching through 2011, has been ratified by both sides. Representatives are reviewing final contract language.

“It was a tough negotiation,” said Tim Miller of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the union representing 39 housing authority maintenance and office personnel.

“Hopefully, our members can move on now and get this behind them,” Miller said.

The union’s previous deal expired Dec. 31, 2004. During the extended negotiations, stumbling blocks included wages and health care.

Those issues are addressed in the new contract. Workers will get an annual 65-cent hourly wage increase, a measure that is retroactive for this year.

Staff members also will receive a one-time “sign-on bonus” of $2,500 each, the union said.

Changes in employees’ health-care contributions are built into the contract but will not take effect immediately, officials said.

“I think everybody on our side is satisfied with what was agreed upon,” said Dan Kanuch, housing authority executive director.

Miller said the contract represents “the best we could get for our members at this time.”