HAMMOND | The union representing the city's public works employees has agreed to extend its contract with the city through 2013, a Teamsters Local 142 official confirmed Monday.
The one-year extension provides a 1 percent raise for Teamster-represented employees, in line with the salary increase most Hammond employees likely will receive next year, said Larry Regan, Teamsters Local 142 vice president.
Regan said the contract's length allows the union to reopen negotiations next year “in case there might be a little more money in the budget.”
Chief of Staff Tom Dabertin confirmed the union had agreed to the contract.
In September, the city's police officers agreed to a one year-contract and 1 percent raise. The agreement is down from the up to 4 percent raise police officers received in their current contract that expires at the end of the year.
Dabertin said Monday talks with Hammond firefighters are still on hold. The city is proposing a $250 flat raise for firefighters in line with a recommendation made in an independent review of the department.
The Hammond City Council will discuss proposed salaries for 2013 at its Oct. 22 meeting.
Ed Lomeli, Hammond Professional Firefighters Association Local 556 president, said the union is planning to attend the meeting and doesn't know why its members are receiving a flat raise.
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