Pittsburgh officials announced Wednesday they have finalized a new deal with their crossing guards.

The five-year contract was negotiated with the Service Employees International Union 192B.

Mayor Bill Peduto said via news release that the deal is good for both parties.

“We are excited to have reached this agreement with our crossing guards who provide an important service for our city,” Peduto said. “I’d like to thank SEIU-192B for their cooperation and our crossing guards for their commitment to the safety of our communities.”

The new contract increases the base wage for crossing guards to $15 per hour with an annual wage increases to 2024. Under previous contracts, crossing guards were not eligible for municipal pension plans since the position was considered part time.

Crossing guards who work more than 200 hours in a year will be able to participate in the municipal pension plan under the new agreement.

“We are excited to have reached this agreement with our crossing guards who provide an important service for #Pittsburgh.” said Mayor @billpeduto.

“I’d like to thank SIEU-192B for their cooperation & our crossing guards for their commitment to the safety of our communities.” https://t.co/Des1J3Mz4z

— Office of the Mayor (@TheNextPGH) January 13, 2021

The city’s School Crossing Guards Division operates under the Department of Public Safety.

“Being a school crossing guard is a very self-rewarding job,” crossing guard supervisor Elaine Alter said. “Children, parents, motorists and tourists rely on the guards daily and look to them for direction. They have become the ambassadors for the city of Pittsburgh, assisting with lost children, directions or just general information.

“They are the eyes and ears of the community. Children in the city of Pittsburgh become the guards’ ‘children,’ and they love them and worry about them no less than if they were their own.”

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