URBANA — Champaign County has reached a tentative agreement with its employees on a new contract, leading workers to call off a strike that was being planned for Wednesday.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 900 called Tuesday’s agreement “a breakthrough” after six months of negotiations.
“We appreciate the hard work of the negotiators on both sides, the assistance of the federal mediator and especially the solidarity of AFSCME members that secured this fair agreement,” said AFSCME Council 31 staff representative Natalie Nagel in a statement.
According to the county, the tentative agreement offers employees a 3% salary increase for the 2025 fiscal year retroactive to January 1; a $3,000 bonus; a second 3% salary increase for the next fiscal year; reductions in health insurance and heath care costs; and an additional floating holiday as well as 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
the Champaign County Board and AFSCME Local 900 members need to vote for the contract to take effect.
Emily Rodriguez, vice-chair of the Champaign County Board and chair the group’s Labor Committee, said in a statement that officials are proud to reach an agreement with employees.
“We have arrived at a brave proposal that significantly increases our commitments and bonuses to employees,” Rodriguez said. “In this time of uncertainty, we seek to ensure our County is a place where good work can be done with dignity.”
This is a developing story.