Non-uniform union employees to receive pay increase
Uniontown’s non-uniform union employees will be receiving pay increases of 3, 4 and 2 percent respectively over the next three years. Without discussion, city council passed the contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union at its meeting Wednesday. The union represents approximately 45 employees in the sanitation, street and sewer departments, parking garage attendants and administrative employees in City Hall.
The agreement retroactively takes effect on Jan. 1 and expires Dec. 31, 2006.
It provides a 3 percent wage increase through the end of this year, 4 percent in 2005 and 2 percent in 2006.
It replaced the old contract that expired at the end of 2003.
The new deal provides longevity pay, which the old contract did not.
Union members are not permitted to go out on strike and the city is not allowed to lock them out, according to a clause in the contract.
In unrelated business, council approved submitted an application to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s Community Mini-Grant program for $3,000.
The city police department would use the money for law enforcement efforts targeting the under-21 population.
Overtime wages and one piece of related equipment qualify for grant funding.
Council heard from Union Street resident William Hubbard who suggested installing stop signs at all four corners of the Highland Avenue and Union Street intersection.
He said visibility at the intersection is poor and the stop signs would make it safer.
Hubbard also said restricting parking to one side of Union Street would help reduce congestion.
Mayor James Sileo said he wants to make Union Street one way. He said he would look into the stop signs for the intersection.
Sileo also said the city recently received four grants.
The Federal Enterprise Community and Fay-Penn Economic Development Corp. awarded the police department $10,000 for patrol and enforcement efforts in the Gallatin Avenue and East End neighborhoods.
The FEC gave the fire department $10,000 for an addition to its training room.
Fay-Penn awarded $5,000 to the Downtown Business District Authority to purchase banners and garbage cans for downtown.
The Community Foundation approved a $3,500 grant for the DBDA to operate the Storey Square Summer Lunch Series.
Judy Vrabel, acting director of DBDA, outlined the activities planned for the city on Saturday when the National Road Festival wagon train stops in town.
She said the wagons will stop at Five Corners West at 2:30 p.m. for a short ceremony and a car show will be held, with food and entertainment beginning at 2 p.m. downtown.
Councilman Joseph Giachetti announced that tickets for Uniontown day at Kennywood Park is Memorial Day, May 31, and tickets cost $18. Bus transportation costs and additional $10.
Residents should see Colleen Watson at the Bailey Park concession stand for tickets.
Uniontown night at PNC Park is July 2, which is also a fireworks night at the stadium. Tickets cost $10 or $20 and bus transportation costs $10.
Sara Howarth, a senior at Uniontown High School, will sing the Star-Spangled Banner and 10-year-old Alex Hamborsky, who plays on the Lions baseball team at Bailey Park, will throw out the first pitch.