Jail workers contract would provide first raise in 4 years

By ROGER AMSDEN, LACONIA DAILY SUN

LACONIA — Corrections officers at the Belknap County House of Corrections could see their first pay raise in four years when the Belknap County Delegation votes on a two-year contract with unionized employees there. The delegation will meet on Monday, April 4, at 6 p.m., at the Belknap County Complex for the vote.

All 21 members of the Belknap County Corrections Officers Union last week voted for the contract, which provides a 1.4 percent pay raise in each of the two years, as well as step increases, which could increase total compensation by 4.4 percent each year for eligible workers.

It also provided for health insurance changes, going from an HMO plan to a "site of service" plan. Belknap County Commission Chairman David DeVoy (R-Sanbornton) said that change will save the county $3,000 per employee, even though the county will pick up the entire cost of the health insurance premiums. Currently, employees pay 5 to 6.5 percent of the premiums for the HMO plan.

There is also an incentive bonus of $1,000 in the first year for employees who make the switch to the site-of-service plan, which provides for $1,000, $2,000 and $3,000 deductibles on single, two-person and family plans.

DeVoy said that the contract, if approved by the Belknap County Delegation, will save the county $64,000 in health insurance costs over the next two years.

The proposed contract is similar to the collective bargaining agreement between Teamsters Local 633 and the county, which was approved by a 10-5 vote by the County Delegation last August.

DeVoy said contract talks were being held this week with the new union representing the Belknap County Sheriff's Department. Last week, employees of the department voted unanimously to switch from the State Employees Association to the Teamsters Union.

County Commissioners will take formal action when they meet at 3:30 p.m. today to approve the contract with House of Corrections employees. Both DeVoy and fellow commissioner Hunter Taylor (R-Alton) are members of the county's negotiating team.