Yountville, workers reach contract deal

The Yountville Town Council this week approved a one-year labor agreement with the Yountville Employee Association, the town’s principal employee bargaining union. The contract, already ratified by the union, runs through June 30, 2010, and provides no cost-of-living adjustments to employees. Key provisions of the labor agreement include modifications to the medical plan for retirees. The program will now require a minimum vesting term in order to be eligible for paid medical benefits after retirement. Employees must work for 20 years to receive 100 percent payment.

The contract caps the cost of the town’s contribution to the Kaiser Plan, and designates mid-management positions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Yountville Mayor Cynthia Saucerman said that “she and the Town Council are very appreciative of the efforts of the YEA leadership and employees to work with the town manager and the Town Council to modify the cost exposure from our retiree medical continuation plan” and complete the agreement. “Our employees clearly understand the current economic situation and the challenges facing local government today. We have a great group of people working for us and this shows their commitment to our community.”

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