Five-year Contract for Easton's Union Employees Approved

By Christina Georgiou

AFSCME AFL-CIO Local 447 representatives look on as
Easton's city council approved a new five-year contract
with union city employees.

Easton city council approved a new five-year contract for union workers employed by the city Wednesday evening. The agreement covers back to the beginning of this year and runs through the end of 2017.

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) AFL-CIO Local 447 members will receive a 2 percent pay increase this year, a 2.5 percent increase in 2014, and 3 percent increases annually in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Mayor Sal Panto congratulated union representatives in attendance on the smoothness of contract discussions and said he appreciated the union's willingness to negotiate.

"The thing I appreciate working with AFSCME is that with them, it's not personal," he said. "What they say is what you get, and when they say 'Easton works because we do', it's true."

Councilman Jeff Warren said the new contract is both good for the workers and the city.

"It's a good solid contract. And, it's a great working relationship the union has with the administration," he said.