Highway contract ready for union vote
by JESSICA L.FINCH
Associate Editor

Representatives of the Amherst Highway Employees Association and the Town of Amherst said  Thursday that they have reached an agreement  in regard to the highway contract.

Amherst Supervisor Satish Mohan, Personnel Director Bob McCarthy and Highway Association President Chris O'Neil made the announcement in a  press conference in Town Hall.

Both the  162 union members and the six Town Board members will have to vote on the contract, which would expire in 2010.

Mohan said during the process that he remembered what residents told him when he was campaigning: to pay the workers for as much as they do.

"We came out with an agreement they could say 'yes' to," he said.
 Both sides said the pact was equitable and fair.

The contract will put all highway employees on one health care provider. The previous contract, which ended in December 2005, was costing the town an estimated $52,000 a month in insurance costs.

The agreement to use one provider, if approved, will save that amount.
Highway employees will also pay 10 percent of insurance premiums, and new hires will pay 15 percent.

 "I think it's equitable for both sides; it's fair," O'Neil said, adding that he would not comment further until presenting the terms to the employees he represents.
He plans to schedule a meeting next week.

More details will be announced when the contract has been officially accepted by both sides.