Allegheny Township strikes deal with laborers, keeps public works in house

Allegheny Township has ratified a five-year agreement with its eight public works employees.

The contract is retroactive to Feb. 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2029. Negotiations resulted in higher pay and quicker advancement but greater health care costs.

Workers’ premium contributions rise to 17% for a single plan and 6% for a family plan, matching the percentages paid by Allegheny Township police.

Each year of the contract, the top wage will rise between 3% and 5%. That rate currently stands at $30.90 an hour. New hires can reach maximum pay in two years, rather than three, though their probation period has increased from 60 to 90 days.

“I think that both sides recognize that, while we want to attract new talent … we also want to have some protections, and make sure we are able to monitor an employee’s performance when they start,” said Jason Dailey, interim township manager.

Other changes include a $15 meal allowance paid only during lengthy shifts, compared to $10 under the previous contract, and $600 yearly for clothing, up from $500.

“It was not a contentious negotiation session, and I think that both sides came out with what they were looking for,” Dailey said.

Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 1058 represents the workers. Its Pennsylvania District Council declined to comment.

Dailey noted the township finished negotiations with the police union in October, allowing the incoming administration to “have these contracts in place and those negotiating issues behind us.”

While the township has been outsourcing some functions, such as payroll, bookkeeping and code enforcement since last June, routine public works tasks have remained in-house, in part because of the department’s performance, according to Dailey.

With occasional help from contractors, the workers maintain the township’s roads, sewers and facilities.

“Our public works department is extremely efficient,” Dailey said.

The township is seeking three nonunion seasonal workers to assist with roadside and park mowing this summer.

The township supervisors also voted Monday to advertise to replace public works crew leader Daniel Reifschneider, who will retire in August after 30 years with the department.