Waterloo - The City of Waterloo has signed a four-year contract with its Staff Association labour group, providing for an average cost of living increase of 2.22% per year.

“The goal with all of our labour discussions has been to come to an agreement that is fair to our employees, reasonable for our taxpayers and realistic in the current economy,” said Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran. “With this agreement, I believe we have accomplished that.”

The City of Waterloo Staff Association is a labour group that represents approximately 250 inside workers who provide administrative, program management and supervisory support for the City’s operations.

“Waterloo has excellent employees who serve this community every day,” Halloran said, “We are pleased to reach an agreement that respects our employees, that is similar to other recent municipal employment contracts, and that is within our current budget forecast.”

The contract will be in effect from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2011.

The following provides a summary of the details contained within the contract agreement between the City of Waterloo and its Staff Association:

* Duration: January 1st 2008 to December 31st 2011
* Cost of living adjustments: 2.22 % average over four years
o 2.4% for 2008
o 2 % for 2009
o 2.15% for 2010
o 2.35% for 2011
* General benefit plan changes providing for minor improvements in vision care, chiropractic and dental coverage
* Other elements of the agreement include minor wording changes to provide clarification of existing items in the agreement, as well as to provide greater flexibility in the operations of the City.